KitchenAid KP26M1XOB 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer – Onyx Black Import To Shop ×Product customization

The difference between the 600, 610, 620, 6000, 6500, 7 qt, 8 qt modelsWhen I bought the recent Costco model, I was intrigued to find out what was hiding behind the Costco brand Kitchenaid model. Interestingly enough, it turns out to be a Williams-Sonoma 610 model. This got me asking what is the difference to the 600 model, and why does a 610 model even exist? After taking my Costco model apart, doing a significant amount of research, and acquiring the 7 qt model and investigating it, I came to the following conclusion:All models, the 600, 610, 620, 6000, 6500, 7qt residential, 7 qt commercial, and 8 qt are essentially all the same models. They have the exact same form factor and with the exception of the 6000, fit the same beaters and bowls. They differ mainly in motor, transmission, bowl, and beater (that needs to match bowl size). And some models have plastic knobs whereas other have metal ones.600: This is the base model. A few years ago Kitchenaid changed the transmission case, that holds some sprockets in place, to plastic. This was changed back to the old metal cast case from the 6 Series now. It has a 575W AC motor.610: Is the same as the 600 with the same transmission, but a different 590W AC motor. I doubt that the extra 15W this motor is rated for makes a difference. The 600 model collected a lot of critic from people doing heavy doughs. My assumption is that Williams-Sonoma requested a more robust motor, perhaps with higher torque. The control electronic is a very simple triac motor control. It looks similar to the 600 control, but has the hall speed sensor soldered on. It also misses the IC from early 600 models. The wire whip is not the one from the 600, but the one from the 7 and 8 qt models. The Costco model has metal flat and hook beaters instead of the coated ones.620: Is a 610 in fancy colors.6000 HD: It has an entirely different transmission and motor than the 600, 610, or 620. My assumption is that the transmission is the same as in the 6500, 7qt and 8 qt models. The motor may or may not be the same. The 6000, like the 6500, is rated as 1 HP. It could be the same motor from the 7 qt and 8 qt and might be electronically limited or simply derated on paper. The bowl, and therefore the beaters, are totally different than on the 600 models. The bowl is taller and narrower. Because the pins that hold the bowl are narrower, you can only fit 6000 bowls, but not those from the 600, 6500, or 7 qt, 8 qt models. This is by the way also the old Costco model.6500: Appears to be a 7 qt model, derated for 1 HP with a fancy 6 qt bowl. The cover of the planetary gear facing the bowl looks more robust.7 qt: Its motor is rated for 1.3 HP. The 7 qt appears to fit all the bowl from the 600, I actually tried this out, even with 7 qt beaters. In reverse, the 600 fits bowl and beater of the 7 qt.8 qt: In all likelihood a 7 qt model with a bigger bowl and a finger guard. Motor is rated the same. It should fit all 7 qt and 600 model bowls.The 7 qt and 8 qt also exist as commercial versions with an orange power cord and a commercial use warranty. Otherwise, my assumption is that they are the same as the residential models.Confused, yet? What should you pick?In my opinion the biggest differentiator is the AC vs DC motor, not because the motor is AC or DC, but because of torque, transmission, and speed control design. The DC motor of the 6000, 6500, 7 qt, and 8 qt models is significantly beefier than the one of the 600 Series. The DC motor uses a digital PWM speed control that holds speed exactly and increases torque as needed. The 6000 and 6500 may or may not have the same motor as the 7 qt and 8 qt models, but are rated with 25% less power. As I said, this might be paper derated or electronically limited, or actually it has a slightly smaller motor. The DC models also are significantly quieter than the transmission and motor combo of the 600.The 600, 610, and 620 use a very primitive triac control. The 610 and 620 have a slightly more robust motors but use the same transmission as the 600. The triac control will not increase torque as well while holding speed, which specifically will be noticeable with heavy doughs. These models are very noisy. Because of their simpler design, the 600 Series is cheaper to repair than the DC models. Sprockets are a couple of bugs and even the speed control is inexpensive.The 6000 HD appears to be the oddball when it comes to bowls. It uses narrow bowls that need their own narrower beaters.All other models use the same bowls. Now, it might make little sense to put an 8 qt bowl into a 600 where the motor is not strong enough. The dough hook might be the same, but you need more force. The wire whip has more wires on the 610 and up models. I do not see why it should not work on the 600. The real difference is in the flat beater. While you mostly can use the larger (flat) beaters with smaller bowls, like use a 7 qt beater with a 6 qt bowl, if you use a 6 qt beater with a 7 qt bowl, you just do not reach the top of the bowl. The 3 qt bowl should fit all models, even the 6000 model, because it has holes for the narrower pins, and comes with its own beater.The dough hook exist in stainless, aluminum and coated aluminum. The flat beater exist as stainless, aluminum, coated aluminum, or with a silicon lip that saves you from interrupting and scraping the bowl walls. The wire whip is always stainless. Only stainless and coated aluminum can be washed in the dish washer. Some people complain about the coating flaking over time. While various packets exist that bundle coated or none coated versions, only the commercial 7 qt and 8 qt version contain stainless beaters. Beaters are quiet pricey but can purchased after market, even from third parties.Depending on the sale you are getting, the price difference between the models might not be actually that much. I would not get a 6000 because of the weird bowl shape that locks you in. I found the price difference between the 7 qt and 600 models to be about $100 with the right deal, the 6500 actually could be more expensive. The 600 comes in all kinds of colors, of this is important to you. All other models are limited in colors. I decided for the 7 qt model because I wanted to make pizza and bread doughs and simply bought 5 qt and 3 qt bowls for the smaller jobs. I would buy an 8 qt bowl if I ever needed it.I hope this information makes it easier for you to make your own decision.On the picture, left the 7 qt model, and right the Costco 610 model.

Takes some getting used to, but works like a charm once you replace the idiotic aluminum beater.I’ve owned the same KitchenAid tilt-head 4.5-quart mixer for maybe 30 years and absolutely love it. I’m a breadmaker, and the KitchenAid dough hook is wonderful for kneading satiny smooth breads. I can’t imagine not having a KitchenAid mixer in my kitchen..However, 4.5 quarts isn’t much when you’re baking breads; I’ve always had to be careful not to let the dough climb up the dough hook and spill over. Plus, there were a couple of things I’ve never really liked about it: The switch had a little bounce in it, so that it would sometimes turn itself back on unexpectedly when the mixer head was up, shaking batter all over the place. And the little cap that protects the attachment port in front tended to get lost easily, making it harder to keep the port clean.My mom got tired of my grumbling about it, and gave me this mixer, in copper, for Christmas a couple of years ago. It fixes the problems I mentioned above; the mixer has a soft start that gradual speeds up the beater so that you don’t get flour all over the kitchen, and the switch has a definite off. Plus, the port cap is now hinged onto the mixer head so that you won’t lose it (you can still lose the securing screw, however).The 6 quart capacity is wonderful, too–I don’t have to worry about spillover (as much). And it keeps up the tradition of excellent performance…mostly.Here’s what I don’t care for: This mixer has the same function as those giant Hobart mixers you see in commercial bakeries: You fill the bowl with ingredients, secure it in the mixer stand, then use a lever to raise the bowl up to beater level and lock it in place. Great idea, but actually getting the bowl ONTO the stand can be a pain. You must anchor it onto two pins, then roll it back onto the stand to secure it in a little clip. I’m comfortable with it now, but it was truly a pain when I started using it.That design means that you’ll have a devil of a time putting the bowl on with the better attached. I’ve had to learn the proper workflow: Set the bowl into the pins/back clip, secure it in place, attach the beater, and crank it up.The other drawback to that is that adding ingredients, especially floaty dry stuff such as flour, becomes incredibly messy. My old KitchenAid rarely got dirty when I cooked; the new one needs a major scrubdown from all the times I accidentally coat the mixer with stuff I’m trying to get into the bowl.But honestly, the biggest irritation with this mixer is the standard beater itself: It’s obviously made of aluminum, and aluminum will oxidise badly in the dishwasher. it develops a nasty black coating that gets all over you hands, clothes, utensils, even food, and it can be difficult to get off.Who makes a mixer beater that can’t be put in the dishwasher? I’m getting rid of this one and buying a stainless steel version instead. KitchenAid should simply include it to begin with–it really bothers me that, with a mixer this expensive, I must still spend another $100 or so for quality beaters.ADDENDUM: The afore-mentioned beaters bugged me so much I sent a note to KitchenAid, letting them know tey should at least supply enamel-coated beaters with a top-of-the-line mixer. Their response was of the “too bad, so sad” variety: I should have read the use and care guide to know that the beaters can ONLY be washed with a special “powdered agent designed to remove oxidation,” should NEVER be put into the dishwasher or be allowed to soak in a soapy sink, and CAN NEVER be air-dried; they must be hand-dried immediately.They added that the “discoloration,” is merely unsightly but safe to eat, although it will “change the appearance of any recipe that you attempt to make.”They offered to sell me a beater and dough hook with a dishwasher-safe coating, but the wire whip itself is only available as a hand-wash aluminum model.Uhm…no. I bought a third-party stainless steel flat beater and I’m looking around for the other two. And not buying KitchenAid again.

Great Product! Cheaper Elsewhere!Great machine! Much quieter than our old mixer. The increase in capacity is perfect. Clean up is easy. It is certainly worth the money, however, I should have done my homework. COSTCO.com is selling the same mixer in a variety of colors for $299.99.

Love my KitchenAid mixer.Very easy to use, clean and fits perfectly in kitchen.

Worth the investment!I have wanted one of these for YEARS but have always shied away from spending such an amount on something so “frivolous”. I mean, it isn’t like I CAN’T mix things by hand. Finally, roaming around Amazon, I found a great deal and my husband asked me if I’d actually use it (well, yeah) and if so to just order the d*** thing! So I did!I was a six year old on Christmas morning unboxing this thing! I was sooooooo excited! So let me tell you about my FIRST stand mixer experience…First, it is HEAVY. You aren’t lugging this thing very far to use, it is a countertop ornament. I pull mine to the edge of my counter and push it back to the wall when I’m done and that is all I want to move it.Next, it is a little louder than I expected. It isn’t so loud that you can’t have a conversation in the same room… at least not on the lower speeds, but when you get it up there in speed it can be a show stopper.CLEAN this REALLY well when you unpack it. There was a fine black dust on the attachments and bowl when I inboxed them. It took washing twice before a white kitchen towel came out clean from drying them. I don’t know what it was… I don’t care what it was… but I wouldn’t want anyone to eat it.So the first thing I made was peanut butter cookies because I know the dough and can tell if something goes wonky. The adjustment on the attachment height was a breeze (instructions are clear, just read them!) and the paddle did a beautiful job pulling this dough together and it came out much smoother than I typically get it by my little hand mixer.Test number 2 was a couple loaves of yeast based bread. I was a little scared about machine kneading bread. I used the paddle to incorporate everything as much as possible then swapped to the dough hook and started slow. I could tell the mixer was working hard. I kept a close eye on it and it was ALMOST done kneading when the mixer just STOPPED. I thought I’d broken my mixer. I freaked. I pulled my dough out and finished the last smidge of kneading by hand and set it to proof. Then tried to assess the damage… my mixer was WARM to the touch and wouldn’t turn on. I’ll save you my anxiety over breaking an expensive mixer days after getting it… it is fine. I unplugged it and let it sit for about 45 minutes. She came right back to life once she thoroughly cooled down.All in all, I LOVE this mixer and cannot imagine why I waited so long to buy one. It makes baking sooooo much easier. I chose this one so that holiday baking would be doable and I make large batches generally. I have also seen a 3qt bowl and paddle that are made for this model for smaller needs… on my purchase list!! My ONLY complaint is that KitchenAid has discontinued the glass bowl that fits this model. I would LOVE to have a glass bowl, but alas.