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KitchenAid is one of the most well-respected brands when it comes to kitchen appliances, with an extensive range of kitchen and bakeware equipment that made it a household name. 

The stand mixer is one of their most popular products, and as they’ve been producing them for over 10 years, it is arguably what they do best. In recent years, however, they’ve begun to cater more to the professional kitchen, with powerful appliances and larger capacities so you can cook in bigger batches.

The KitchenAid Professional 6500 and 600 are two such models, and this review will take a look at what they have to offer. If you’re more of a home-baker with less need for industrial quality appliances, check out our review of the Classic Plus stand mixer review here.

KitchenAid 6500 vs 600

However, if you’ve decided to finally take the plunge and invest in one of their long-admired professional appliances, you’re going to want to be armed with all the specs and stats. That way, you can make an informed decision about which KitchenAid Professional stand mixer is the best choice for you. 

The accompanying price tag means this isn’t an everyday purchase, but the exceptional quality of their products means you get high value for money.

About the Mixers

What sets the Professional stand mixers apart? 

The KitchenAid Professional range of stand mixers are particularly durable appliances compared to the Classic or Artisan models. This is to be expected, as their claim to ‘professional’ quality exists in the name itself, which is a lot to live up to for any appliance.

There are certain shared features with other KitchenAid models, but where the Professional range really stands out is their handling of larger-scale jobs, which is what makes them more suited to professional use.

Working with bigger batches is possible with the KitchenAid Professional range thanks to their large capacity, and they’re incredibly powerful for more heavy-duty uses which is perfect for any industrial or professional kitchen. 

They also come with multiple attachments that allow them to perform a variety of functions, and these tend to last longer than the attachments for other models, although this depends on the level of care. 

How do they work?

The unique planetary action whisking technique is a feature that’s included with every KitchenAid stand mixer. This works to eliminate any lumps in the mixture, and with 59 points of contact as it moves around the bowl it ensures your ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Thanks to the numerous attachments that are with KitchenAid Professional appliances, you can use your stand mixers for a range of purposes. It’s easy to switch out your attachment thanks to the multipurpose extension hub. Simply plug the desired attachment into the plug in point and you’re ready to go. 

The look 

Due to their height and bulky appearance, any KitchenAid stand mixer is going to be a feature in your kitchen, even when not in use. 

Most KitchenAids come in a range of different color options and with different finishes, so you can choose one that suits the style of your kitchen. However, the number of colors available will vary between models.

Stainless steel bowls give a sleek, polished look to your appliance while glass bowls are more than just an attractive design element, as you can see exactly what’s happening during mixing. The handles are also practical as they allow you to lift the bowl from the stand mixer with ease.

No matter which KitchenAid appliances you ultimately choose to go for, whether it be one of the Professional stand mixers or something from their Classic or Artisan range, you’ll find they’re all in keeping with their stylish, signature look.

What’s in the box? 

KitchenAid stand mixers are for much more than just baking, and they offer a wide range of attachments that either come included or can be purchased separately. 

Think of your stand mixer as the base, and the attachments as what transforms it into a multi-functional appliance that can tackle a whole range of duties. The Professional KitchenAids come with the following attachments:

Wire whip: one of the classic KitchenAid attachments, the 6 wire whisk makes such light work of most mixing jobs that you won’t be able to help asking yourself: why has it taken me so long to get one? 

Flat beater: typically used for quick, thorough mixing, the flat beater attachment is perfect for baking and cooking alike. It does a great job of combining ingredients for recipes like cake batter and cookie dough, and it’s also suitable for mashing potatoes and other similar foods. 

Spiral dough hook: if the name didn’t already give it away, the spiral dough hook is used for mixing dough in your KitchenAid mixer. The hook allows you to knead the dough until smooth and elastic, without half the time and effort it takes to knead the dough by hand.

The burnished coating on certain attachments for your KitchenAid means they’re not suitable for dishwasher use and require hand washing in order to extend their life. If not taken care of properly, they may become dulled over time and the coating may peel or flake off, which is one flavor you could probably do without. 

The KitchenAid Professional 6500 Review 

KitchenAid Professional 6500

KitchenAid Professional 6500 Design Series Bowl-Lift Candy Apple Stand Mixer

Considered a step up from the 600 model, the KitchenAid Professional 6500 stand mixer is a great addition to any professional kitchen. It’s perfect for anyone who needs a lot of power in their equipment as it’s powered by a robust DC motor, which is surprisingly quiet given its impressive 1hp output. 

It’s available in 4 different colors with the option for a semi-gloss finish, so it will fit in with any kitchen style, and the chrome attachment cap is a classy addition. 

The glass bowl is part of the attractive design, but also makes it easy to see how well your ingredients have been incorporated to make sure there’s no pesky lumps left in the mixture. This is safe for freezer and dishwasher use, but should not be used in a microwave.

The 6qt glass bowl also has a larger capacity which is perfect for working with bigger batches – for reference, that means it can make up to 13 dozen cookies! It features a handle on the side and the bowl-lift design means this stand mixer is easy to use. However, it’s size does mean that it’s also on the heavy side, especially when it’s full.

There are 10 different speeds which allow you to mix, knead, and whip ingredients together in no time, saving your arm muscles a lot of aching later on! There are also a number of included attachments, including a 6 wire whip, coated flat beater, and coated spiral dough hook, so you can use your stand mixer for various purposes. 

PROS

  • Powerful yet quiet performance 
  • DC motor 1hp 
  • Auto shut off feature
  • 10 speed settings

CONS

  • Expensive 
  • Fewer color options

The KitchenAid Professional 600 Review

KitchenAid Professional 600

Kitchenaid Professional 600 Stand Mixer 6 quart, Empire Red (Renewed)

Perfect for heavy-duty use, the Professional 600 KitchenAid stand mixer features the same bowl-lift design seen on the 6500 model, although it comes with a 6qt polished stainless steel bowl instead of glass. This is lighter and makes for easier handling when you’re pouring. 

It differs, however, in the 575 watts AC motor, which requires less current to start with but is reportedly louder when it’s running. It’s still powerful in terms of performance, but you need to be mindful not to overheat your motor through extended use. 

The electronic speed sensor allows you to maintain consistent speed levels during mixing, and it comes with attachments such as the classic KitchenAid 6 wire whip, a flat beater, spiral dough hook for different uses. 

It also has the additional bonus inclusion of a pouring shield. This is an invaluable accessory when working with large batches of mixture as it will reduce splashes on the surrounding areas.

PROS

  • Wide range of color options 
  • Auto shut off feature
  • Pouring shield 
  • More affordable option

CONS

  • Motor is louder when running
  • Less durable

Final Thoughts 

The main difference between these two models is in their motor systems, and which one is better suited to you depends on your intended use. Generally, the DC motor in the 6500 model is thought to be an improvement on the AC 575 watts motor that the 600 model features. 

With that being said, If you have a slightly stricter budget, or if the thought of spending that much money on a kitchen appliance is what’s put you off up until now, then the KitchenAid Professional 600 is an excellent quality, powerful mixer that can handle more professional jobs. 

However, if money is no object, any professional cook or baker will hugely benefit from the KitchenAid Professional 6500 stand mixer as it is superior in performance and quality. The motor has been improved to run more powerfully and with less noise than the 600 model, so it can tackle even larger projects. 

Whichever model you ultimately decide to go for, you won’t be disappointed with your new kitchen companion. 

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