Other Prosumer Options: Knives and Gadgets

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"I would never skimp on a KitchenAid mixer," says Hambright, who bakes even at home and uses her mixers primarily to beat batter and whip egg whites. "I have four ranging in age from one to 17 and they are machines absolutely built to last."

Hambright uses one of her mixers as a juicer and admires the many attachments that can enhance the machines, from food mills to sausage grinders. "But they cost hundreds of dollars, so you should really figure out whether you're going to use one of those attachments a lot, getting it down to how much it will cost per use, before making the added investment," she says.