If you remember your parents’ old Kenwood from the 70s, 80s, or 90s, then you probably have a vision of a mixer that’s powerful, useful, but not particularly pretty. But as KitchenAid has proven over the past few weeks, those days are long gone.
Just recently, KitchenAid celebrated the start of autumn with one of the most beautiful mixers we’ve ever seen. Called the KitchenAid Artisan Design Series Evergreen 5-Quart Tile-Head Stand Mixer, the machine substitutes the usual stainless-steel bowl for a five-quart (approx. 4.73 litres) wooden bowl fashioned out of walnut. It combines this with brass accents and a luscious green body, making the mixer a statement piece worthy of any kitchen.
Such beauty, however, comes at a price, and the Evergreen retails for around $700 (€629). It’s also been somewhat controversial for two main reasons. The first is its design, which understandably isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. The second is the wooden bowl.
While KitchenAid says that the bowl has been crafted to be durable and used daily, many have pointed out the shortcomings of the material in such a context. Apart from not being dishwasher safe, the bowl will need to be dried immediately after washing to avoid it warping. In other words, people who bake regularly will be making their lives somewhat harder by opting for this version of KitchenAid’s iconic mixer.
We have to admit that this wouldn’t necessarily stop us from buying it, but it does raise a very valid point. After all, a €629 machine should look great and be functional, no?