viking stand mixer Resources
by stand_mixer_deals
I have worn out 3 Kitchen Aid mixers in 30 yrs. So the Viking 7QT has some big shoes to fill. I let the mixer set on the counter for 3 days before using it. Just wanted to admire the BIG beautiful red thing. First test was a triple batch of my grand childrens favorite cookies. 6 cups of flour and 6 cups of oatmeal did not phase the Viking. It has ample power to accomplish most any kitchen task put before it. I have seen some reviews that the beater does not clean the ingredients from the bottom of the bowl. I did notice that on my first use but my husband was able to make a simple adjustment according to the manual and it is perfect now. Nothing against KitchenAid, as the brand served us well for such a long time but I am certainly happy with this purchase. Only wish I had not waited so long.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
After much research in December 2004, I purchased the Viking 7-qt. mixer. The Viking VSM-700 was well made – all metal parts;it was powerful enough to handle heavy doughs. I decided on the 7-qt. model after e-mailing Viking’s customer service. They were very responsive and answered all my questions; if their commitment to service has changed in the last 4 1/2 years, that is a real shame.
Customer service said the 5-qt. model was their recommendation for someone who wanted a mixer for everyday use or who only made one loaf of bread at a time. However, since I was interested in making artisan breads, two loaves at a time, and bagels, they recommended the 7-qt., 1000 watt model. The bowl is very deep, so if you are making something in a small batch, there may be problems getting everything off the bottom. I would recommend buying a beater blade to help solve this issue – I bought one and it does the trick.
This is an expensive mixer, but I believe well worth the money. Although I bought the mixer, intending to save money, I’m not sure I have done so. After purchasing the mixer and numerous books, and after 4 1/2 years, I calculate I have finally amortized the cost of a loaf of homebaked bread to single digits.
That being said, I am thrilled with the performance and durability of my Viking mixer. It performs in a workmanlike manner, handling even bagel dough made with high gluten flour with ease. It does not bog down or struggle to mix even the heaviest doughs. I average 3 batches of artisan breads (2 loaf recipes) per week; one batch of bagels per month; and a batch of oatmeal, chocolate-chip cookies biweekly. As you can see, this machine gets a real workout.
My only warning to those considering purchasing this mixer is that it is noisy. Since I have nothing to compare it with, this may be a standard for the 1000 watt mixer. If you are serious about home-baking, don’t let this criticism scare you away from the best mixer made.
Purchased this mixer for baking bread, especially bagels, with the odd batch of cookies thrown in. I had read about the Kitchen Aid’s problems with plastic gearing, and figured the Viking’s 1000 Watts could stand up to single batches of bread. I couldn’t have been more wrong — it took a single batch of bagels (about 7 cups of flour) to kill this machine. Granted, bagels are about as tough a workout as you can get while kneading bread, and had the machine simply cut off under the stress of mixing, rather than dying under the strain, I would have continued to use the mixer to start recipes while finishing them by hand. However, several months out of the box and I had to send it in to their service center in Detroit. Out of my hands for 6 weeks, I get the machine back, use it for a couple of batches of cookies and pizza dough, which it does serviceably well, before it chokes again on another batch of bread. The motor just groans at me when I turn the dial. Now, out of warranty, I’m left with a $600 stainless steel hulk of a machine that just isn’t worth fixing until its next inevitable breakdown. Desperately I search for a suitable location to mount this to my wall… “Ceci ce n’est pas une mixer”.
We used to have kitchen Aid mixers. They’re junk. I ended up replacing the transmission in one of them myself only to have it go out again. So, after much review, and a belief that Viking was a high end product we bought the 1000 watt mixer. It works fine for light loads, but at the first attempt to knead wheat bread dough, a fairly hefty mix, a few months after buying it, it started make gear grinding noises and slipping. When I called the factory to see if they would “stand behind” their product and replace the transmission, I was told that “no it would cost me $250.00 just for the part”. Very disappointing. It still works for light loads, but I am going to try the Electrolux and hope for better results.
I just purchased this mixer and so far I love it! I own a small bakery, and my other two stand mixers, a Kitchenaid Pro-600 and the Cuisinart 7-quart, both had issues. For some reason the powers that be at Kitchenaid made the attachments out of a metal that cannot go in the dishwater, or it turns black. One of the dumbest ideas ever..and the Cuisinart was starting to make funny noises and the tilt head no longer stayed all the way down..we have to hold it down. So I bought the Viking, even though the biggest negative was the noise of the motor and “mixer noise” from the constant use of mixers often gives me a headache. What noise? The Viking is MUCH quieter than either the Kitchaid or the Cuisinart..we couldn’t believe it after reading the reviews. So far it works great, and we really put our mixers to the test. We’ll see how it holds up in a month or so, but it is the quietest mixer I’ve ever owned.
WHEN YOU BUY THIS ITEM, IT MUST BE ADJUSTED TO FIT YOUR BOWL, SOMETHING THEY FAIL TO TELL YOU IN THE DESCRIPTION. I AM PRETTY HANDY BUT I COULD NOT GET IT TO ADJUST. IT WOULD REALLY KNOCK ON THE BOWL IN ONE PLACE OR ANOTHER AND ACTUALLY PUSH THE BOWL. I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD DAMAGE MY MIXER. GREAT IDEA BUT POOR EXECUTITION.
I purchased the Beater Blade to use with my Viking 7-Qt. mixer; my primary use of that machine is making artisan breads.
I love my Viking mixer for bread making, but occasionally use it to make cookies which contain a high proportion of oatmeal. Thus, the dry ingredients are prone to gathering along the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl and require that I stop the mixer, lift the head and move the ingredients using a spatula. While that isn’t exactly a Herculean task, it is annoying. However, due to a stubborn streak and a less than industrious attitude on the particular day, I tried scraping the side of the bowl while the mixer was down and moving – even though I know better. The result was a broken spatula – just as one would expect.
When I saw this Beater Blade, I thought it might solve the problem. Once you have adjusted the Beater Blade, it does an excellent job of clearing the sides and bottom of the bowl. If you mix a lot of cookie dough or batter-type foods, then this item is well worth the money you will spend for it. The Beater Blade doesn’t generate heat like the metal beaters, and, as a result, shortenings do not melt during creaming. The final product is much less “soupy” than when making cookie doughs using a metal beater. However, if you use your mixer primarily for breads, as I do, then the the Beater Blade is probably something you can live without.
I rated this item four stars because its utility is questionable in relation to the cost. Further, I have some concern about the longevity of the blade itself and whether it will wear quickly or whether it will become brittle if washed in the dishwasher.
While I initially liked the blade for its scraping ability, despite the necessity of many minute initial adjustments, I was greatly disappointed tonight when the shaft split in two, despite the fact that I don’t use my mixer for anything all that heavy (cookie dough mostly). Be warned.
A fantastic accessory for the mixer. It totally eliminates the need to constantly stop the mixer to scrape the bowl. I have one of these for every mixer I have. A great idea!
After extensive research on the web and through friends’ experiences, I decided to opt for this 7-qt mixer. Two other major brands I considered are Hobart and of course, KitchenAid. The DeLonghi mixer comes close to specs and features, but is also marketed under Kenwood and Hamilton Beach. I sure wouldn’t want to pay premium price for a Hamilton Beach. The Hobart is a true commercial grade mixer but overkill for the occasional home use, not to mention at lease twice the cost. The KA doesn’t have the 1000 wattage or the professional feel like the Viking 7-qt mixer. One thing my wife appreciates about this unit is that it has rear wheels for easy maneuverability around the countertop – the average stand mixer weights over 20 lbs so this feature definitely helps. Although the availability of accessories for this mixer is few, however, I do notice that the included beater, whisk, and dough hook are well-made, stainless steel attachments (not plastic coating over metal). Overall, the Viking mixer is powerful, easy to use, and professionally designed that won’t look dated 10 years from now. This mixer must be a joy to work with because my wife’s been baking almost every week since we got it. By the way, the stainless gray model one sees on the Viking website is grayer in color – only the bowl, attachments, and the front “Viking” attachment cover are stainless. Highly recommended.
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