BOSCH UNIVERSAL MIXER: Get The Kitchenaid!
Written: Feb 18 '05
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Pros: Weight. Multi-function.
Cons: Bad design overall.
The Bottom Line: I do not recommend the Bosch Universal. Pass on the 700 watts and the mess. Get a Kitchenaid with it's outstanding reputation, same accessories and the flat beater for less.
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| raps's Full Review: Bosch MUM6610 Universal Series 700 Watts Stand Mix... |
THE MUM 6610 and 6622 only differ in the addition of the blender (6622). This review covers the base machine which is the same and the accessories I have.
I think Bosch should have stayed in power tools - their power tools are terrific. But, their Universal Mixer? Hmm. I’m being nice when I say this is a poor entry in to the small appliance category. I've experienced far more cons than pros.
MUM 6610 Universal Series Kitchen Machine.
MUM 6622 Universal Series Kitchen Machine + Unbreakable six-cup capacity blender
WHAT YOU GET:
- 700 watt motor
- 3 speeds + pulse
- 6 quart plastic mixing bowl
- Anti-splash bowl cover (2 parts: splash ring and cover)
- Dough hook
- Two wire beating whips with driver
Bosch does not say, but I think the hook and whips are stainless
In MUM 6622: Unbreakable six-cup capacity blender
FEATURES:
- Convenient cord storage (wrap-around inset on back)
- Suction feet for good machine stability
- They say, Easy-to-clean exterior; I say, more work than should be needed to clean parts.
- Overload and restart motor protection
- Many accessories eliminate the need for additional kitchen appliances
- Most accessories are dishwasher safe
Weight: 12 lbs. 9 oz.,
They say Physical Dimensions:
9-1/4" D x 13-3/4" W x 7-1/2" H
Real Life:
with bowl: 10 1/4" D x 9 1/2" H
with shredder: 10 1/4" D x 18 1/2" H
MY EXPERIENCE.:
I purchased this machine because the features sounded terrific and I have a bad wrist so the weight just under 13 lbs. was very appealing. Unfortunately, this was a compromise I should not have made.
Picture this: SIMPLE PANCAKE BATTER, THE BOSCH WAY
Twist bowl in position. Put dry ingredients in bowl. Seat whip driver on bowl. Put on splash ring and cover. Blend.
To add eggs, remove cover & splash ring (if you choose not to remove splash ring, chances are your eggs will get all over the driver assembly).
Replace splash ring, & cover. Blend.
To scrape, first locate a place to put the wet, dripping whips/driver. Now, remove cover, splash ring and whips/driver. Use one hand to hold bowl in place and the other to scrape the inner and outer surfaces of the bowl. Be sure to have a flexible spatula handy as removal of batter from center circular surface can be tedious.
Re-assemble the whips/drive, splash ring and cover. Blend.
Wash hands because you are a mess by now.
Remove cover, splash ring and put whips /driver in that spot you found.
Wash hands.
Spoon batter out on to griddle.
This actual experience with a simple batter is the only way I could possibly communicate the negatives of this machine.
In fairness to Bosch and so you can make your own decision, here is a detailed review.
THE MACHINE:
The powerful 700 watts is very impressive – especially if you are a big bread maker. Bosch also states their high-efficiency transmission transfers more torque to the job.
- The control switch is on the front, right and very easy to use.
- 3 speeds + pulse. I found the lowest speed wasn't low enough to provide slow control when I needed it.
The BOWL, WHIPS & DOUGH HOOK:
- The bowl is large, almost 10 1/2" D and hold 6 quarts.
- It is made of a heavy duty plastic called Makrilon and is easy to clean. It holds “up to 20 cups of dry ingredients plus 8+ cups liquid ingredients” - for bread makers that’s enough for up to six 2 lb. bread loaves at one time.
- Its design is totally different than any other mixer I've seen. It looks like a deep bundt pan with a solid center that serves to seat the whips/driver or dough hook. - The two whips sit angled across from each other on the driver and spin as they turn around in the tubular-profile bowl. The hook (2 blades) turn but do not rotate. It creates a pull action to move the dough around and mix ingredients. .
- The concept of 2 whips with center bowl assembly sounds good for optimal mixing, but this execution fails and produces more work and mess than needed:
- The bowl does not lock on the unit - it seats on the base with a twist. No lock means you have to hold it in place to scrape or it can twist off the base.
- You will have two surfaces to scrape – the inner (around the center tubular-profile) and outer surfaces of the bowl.
- The whips prevent EZ access to inner bowl surface so you will need to remove the whip assembly to scrape this area.
- The cylindrical inner surface does not make for a quick, EZ scrape. I found a narrow, flexible spatula works best.
- 2-piece cover and splash ring lock on separately with a twist action. Both are EZ to put on and take off. I do not recommend adding ingredients without removal of both because ingredients will likely get all over the whip / hook driver creating more clean up.
- Bosch says the patented Bread Master hook processes 100% of your dough every four rotations around the bowl. I am in to baking more than serious bread making so I cannot comment on this feature.
BLENDER:
I did not get the blender.
OPTIONS:
- Until recently, Bosch did not offer a flat beater so I was forced to use the wire whips for heavy batters and light weight dough.. The whips DO NOT WORK WELL AT ALL WITH these consistencies. Dough gets caught in the center of the whip and you waste time trying to get it out of TWO whips, not one! Recently they added a cookie paddle setup (looks like a hollow beater), but I chose not to invest any more money in this machine. I did not see the paddles on the Bosch website. If interested, see the 3rd Party link below.
- I returned both optional stainless bowls because the covers did not fit tightly.
- If you go for the Shredder. Overall, it's a good shredder and gets the job done. But, it too has drawbacks. You cannot seat the shredder on the unit without the cover locked in place. This makes bowl scraping or changing the blade an exercise rather than a simple step: And, when you remove the bowl to work with it, the bowl does not sit flat on the counter so the bowl can rock or fall over easily (bottom center houses the attachment assembly).
CLEAN UP:
Cleanup is EZ on the whips and hook, but the bowl design makes the whole interior more clean-up than usual - the working mechanism in the center of the bowl has to be thoroughly cleaned to maintain proper function and Warranty.
STORAGE:
- Great cord storage! It wraps around a recess in the back.
- If you have the shredder or food processor and want to store it on the unit be sure you have a lot of counter space! With the shredder in place the unit is almost 20" high so it does not fit under a standard cabinet, and its solid white design is more functional than pretty.
WARRANTY:
Warranty: 3 years on motor and transmission, 1 year on other parts.
PRICE:
I purchased this Bosch with the shredder about one year ago. The Universal was $269; with attachments was over $400. I dislike this Bosch so much, this review helped me decide to order the Kitchenaid Pro 6 like I wanted in the first place – now on sale @ mfgr for $300 (without shredder).
Hope this helps.
If you are still interested, visit these kinks:
BOSCH: http://www.boschappliances.com/small_appliances/small_appliances_1748.asp
BOSCH DEALER, very nice to work with: http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/bosch_universal.html
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 269.00
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Epinions.com ID:
raps
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Location: Orange County, NY
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Works like a slave from home, but I love what I do. Weekends are 4shopping!
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