Mixer and/or food processor - where to start

[Amaunet]

I'll preface my questions by saying I'm definitely no Masterchef I have recently been diagnosed with Coeliac disease (gluten intolerance/allergy) and having finally come to terms with it, have embraced the idea of cooking, baking etc, from scratch. Pre CD I was a packet/sachet/jar very basic cook and rarely baked. If I want to eat well now, I HAVE to cook it myself!

So, I don't have a proper mixer or food processor but a few times lately, I have wished I had one or both. I do have a dodgy hand mixer and a stab blender thingy. I don't have a lot of storage space etc And whilst I have drooled over the pretty Kitchen Aids etc they are out of my price range I am looking for advice on a good entry level stand type mixer and food processor. If I find I turn completely domestic goddess I can always upgrade

So what do you have or recommend?

[Amaunet]

anyone?

[Arimeh]

Umm... a thermomix ... on finance?

[Amaunet]

Thanks Mel a thermomix is waaaaayyyy out of my league and my DH would never let me finance a kitchen appliance lol

[Astrid]

What is your budget? I personally would not go with a thermomix.

[Amaunet]

No real budget , cos I have no idea what these things cost, maybe $200-300 per item?

[Amaunet]

I'm more after reasonable quality items that will do all the basic needs of cooking iykwim

[LionsandBears]

I'm gluten intolerant with a couple of other dietary problems. We got a Thermomix. Sorry I cant help otherwise. I can mill my own flour with it which actually will save money long term. So much easier to buy rice than rice flour for example. Also, I'm not a great cook, so it works for me.

It is a lot of money though.

[Amaunet]

Just checked out the price of the Thermomix, choke, I knew it was exxy, but that's half a new kitchen or bathroom

[LionsandBears]

I know. It is very expensive. It will last 15-20 years though. But the initial outlay is a lot, which is why a lot of people use the finance option. My Mum wasnt going to get one, but there was an interest free deal in July so she used that.

Another way to purchase it is to become a demonstrator but that's a commitment in itself. I think you pay a bond of $600 and when you have X sales, you get the bond back. I think it's 6 sales. You'd need to talk to the head office.

I hope you find something. I'm finding just being GF is a big enough nuisance. Having CD would be tougher. Maybe ask on a CD forum. We're eating more homemade things and it's made such a difference.

I guess one of the things I looked at was the prices of things like almond meal, rice flour etc. It's cheaper to buy & store almonds or rice and make my own flour than to buy all those different flours. Though the Orgran GF flour is very good. Even if you cant get a TMX, look at an appliance that can mill and grind easily. It will make a big difference.

[Amaunet]

Thanks T. I'm not looking to mill flours etc, that's waaaayyyy beyond my interests and abilities lol I just want to make a few cakes/deserts etc.
On a side note, I use the white wings gf flours. I think the orgran ones have soy in them and they taste funny to me. Same reason I don't eat most of the gf breads

[Amaunet]

Any other ideas?

[LionsandBears]

I have a Kenwood mixer. Very good. Mum had one that lasted 1000 years. It's cheaper than a KA but, you know, mixes stuff. Havent used it in ages but cant get rid of it. It was a wedding present from my Dad.

[Amaunet]

Thanks T glad someone is reading my posts I'll check out the kenwoods !

[~*familyof3*~]

I would also suggest a kenwood they are great. You can get all diff ones as in some do more than others I too was given one many years ago. Happy shopping

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[~*familyof3*~]

Also my best friends lil girl has CD so if your looking for things to let me know and I can get some recipes

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[jaspen]

moulinex used to be a great brand for food processors - don't know their value and don't own one (yet to get a food processor) but just thought I'd let you know a brand that had a good reputation or others may be able to comment on for you

[Taurean]

I've got a Moulinex food processor and blender combo. It was $300 about 10 years ago! It's still a fantastic processor (and blender) but I'm sure they've only improved their appliances since I bought mine.

I don't have a fancy mixer but my parents bought a good one on sale from Target recently. I can't for the life of me remember which brand it was though (possibly Breville). Will find out for you