The Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is the mixer of choice for many high-volume home cooks and commercial eateries. KitchenAid has continued to improve this model and rectified an earlier issue, resulting in a top-of-class mixer.
It is ideal for heavy, dense mixtures because of its six-quart bowl and powerful motor, which now includes all metal gears. A reliable performer, customers love the quality and durability of this pro mixer. It’s worth noting that there is no fixed head with this model, as “bowl-lift” technology is used for changing the beaters.
Accessories include a flat beater, a 6-wire whisk, and a PowerKnead spiral dough hook. The latter attaches via a power hub, to which a variety of other attachments (purchased separately) can be affixed.
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Features and Benefits of the KitchenAid 600 Pro
- Design – A heavy metal stand mixer with bowl lift.
- Motor – is powerful, 575 watts, making it perfect for mixing large batches and kneading.
- Gears – are metal for performance and durability and include a direct-drive transmission.
- Footprint: Height: 16.5, Width: 11.3, Depth: 14.6 inches. Many customers have found that this allows them to leave the mixer on the countertop, particularly as the fixed head requires no additional height for use on a counter with an overhead cabinet.
- Capacity – A 6-quart stainless steel bowl allows for high-volume home baking.
- Speed Choices – ten speeds to choose from provide flexibility and versatility depending on the task.
- Speed Sensor – is electronic, and an auto shut-off has also been incorporated in the design for safety purposes.
- Attachments—A multipurpose attachment hub is required to attach the included accessories easily, as outlined below. Additionally, over fifteen optional attachments, such as an ice cream maker, pasta maker, and grinder, are available for purchase.
- Soft Start – is designed to minimize splatter, saving unnecessary clean-up.
- Colors—There are more than ten colors to choose from, including neutrals and bold colors to suit an existing decor.
- Handle – is comfortable and assists in moving the mixer between locations if you cannot leave it in situ.
Included Accessories
- Burnished Powerknead spiral dough hook
- Burnished flat beater
- Wire Whip
- 1 Piece Pouring Shield
- 6-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
Tips
- When kneading dough, only let it knead for two minutes as instructed to not burn out the motor.
- Go easy with the high-gluten flour
Specifications for the KitchenAid Pro Series Stand Mixer
- Measures: 14.6 x 11.3 x 16.5
- Weighs: 9 pounds
- Item No: KP26M1XNP5
- Warranty: 1 Year Limited
What’s Great About the KitchenAid 600 Pro Series
- Large capacity
- Plenty of power
- Cosmetically appealing
- Has all metal gears and a metal gearbox
- “Tilt head” replaced by lift mechanism to remove beaters from the bowl
- Pouring shield
- Leaving it on the counter-top (due to its weight) can be a convenience when you use it constantly.
- Good speed settings from high to low
- Does most things very well, such as basic stirring, mixing, and whipping tasks
- Reliable
- A great choice for high-volume bakers
- Excellent quality, durable, and powered to do large batches
- Great for kneading bread dough
- High power is also handy for grinding meats and vegetables
- Plenty of additional accessories for additional tasks
What’s not so great?
- The head is “fixed” into position, and it can take some time to get used to raising and lowering the bowl.
Comparison with Similar Models
When choosing a stand mixer, it’s important to consider how different models stack up against each other regarding power, capacity, and features. Here’s a detailed comparison of the KitchenAid Professional 600, KitchenAid Artisan Series, and Breville Bakery Chef to help you make an informed decision:
Feature | KitchenAid Professional 600 | KitchenAid Artisan Series | Breville Bakery Chef |
---|---|---|---|
Power (Watts) | 575 | 325 | 550 |
Bowl Capacity (Quarts) | 6 | 5 | 5.5 |
Weight (lbs) | 25 | 22.8 | 15 |
Dimensions (inches) | 11.25 x 14.5 x 16.5 | 16 x 11.3 x 14.5 | 15.2 x 10.75 x 14.75 |
Attachments Included | Dough hook, flat beater, wire whip | Dough hook, flat beater, wire whip | Scraper beater, dough hook, flat beater |
Price Range | $399.99-$499.99 | $249.99-$349.99 | $399.95-$499.95 |
User Ratings (out of 5) | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Analysis
- Power and Capacity: The KitchenAid Professional 600 offers the highest power and bowl capacity, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks and large batches. With its lower power, the Artisan Series is better suited for everyday baking tasks and smaller batches. The Breville Bakery Chef balances power and capacity, offering a slightly larger bowl than the Artisan.
- Design and Usability: The Professional 600 features a bowl-lift design, which provides stability during mixing but may not fit under all kitchen cabinets due to its height. The Artisan Series has a tilt-head design, making adding ingredients easier, but it may struggle with heavier doughs. The Breville Bakery Chef is lightweight and compact, making it easy to move and store.
- Attachments and Versatility: All models come with essential attachments, but the Breville Bakery Chef includes a scraper beater, which can be advantageous for certain recipes. The KitchenAid models offer a wide range of optional attachments for increased versatility.
- Price and Value: The Artisan Series is the most budget-friendly option, while the Professional 600 and Breville Bakery Chef are priced similarly. However, the latter offers more power and features for those who require them.
This comparison highlights each model’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you choose the stand mixer that best suits your baking needs and kitchen space.
Customer Feedback and Reviews
We give the KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Professional Series 6 Quart Stand Mixer an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. We like its ability to easily handle large quantities, appearance, metal gears, heavy-duty construction, reliability, and durability. You can read all their reviews here to learn more about other customer feedback.
Recommendation
The KitchenAid KP26M1XNP Professional Series 6 Quart Stand Mixer is available from Amazon, and you can find its latest price here. KitchenAid responded to criticism of the early versions of this model and replaced the plastic gears with metal, resulting in this current model, which is a durable, heavy-duty mixer capable of handling large quantities. Based on our review and outstanding customer feedback, we are pleased to recommend it.