Kenwood Chef Classic KM336 4.6 Litre Kitchen Machine, 800 Watt, White and Silver

I thought I ought to point out - though it's mentioned by others - that proper adjustment is CRITICAL to getting good results. With mine both the dough hook and the K beater had to be wound down 2-3mm - it's all clear in the instructions but you basically loosen the lock-nut, wind the tool down, then tighten up again. Try to get it as close as possible to the bowl without it actually touching (run it empty to check).

Once that's done you find a great improvement - and yes I'd second the comment that they should send them out of the factory properly adjusted!

I've recently purchased this stand mixer which is the current cheapest model in this classic brand. Not the newest or the most glamorous kitchen appliance, but instead a simple yet effective design that has stood the test of time.
This package contains the three basic attachments, the famous 'K' beater (in a non-stick finish) for creaming, rubbing fat into flour, mixing (and I use it for mashing potatoes), balloon whisk for whipping eggs and beating egg whites, and dough hook for making bread. In addition, there is an acrylic liquidiser in the box which connects to the high power connection on the top. This works fine, although I will probably stick with my hand blender most of the time as it creates far less washing up. The stainless steel bowl (which is quite large - a 4oz cake mix will look a bit lost in it!) is easy to clean, as are the 3 basic accessories. A splash guard made of plastic is also included. I found cleaning the liquidiser a bit more of a fuss, but no more so than a food processor. Whilst it is true that you can't put the attachments in the dishwasher, it only takes a moment to wash them by hand.
The Chef is quite noisy in operation - I was quite surprised the first time I switched it on, but it does a very good job of what it does, (better than a do it all food processor) and it is easier to use than a hand mixer, particularly with larger quantities of ingredients. Its motor seems to work well, and even at lower speeds, the chef moves quite quickly. Processes such as making pastry do take rather longer than food processor, but not ages. There is also a pulse setting if you need a bit more control. To give you some ideas about what your chef can do, there is a comprehensive recipe book included, although for some of the recipes you need additional accessories. In reply to an earlier reviewer, the first few times I used my Chef I found that it wasn't mixing properly, but after some slight adjustments to the height of the 'K' beater and balloon whisk, it works beautifully. A pair of pliers or a spanner was needed - it tells you what to do in the instruction book. Quite why they can't send the machines out from the factory properly calibrated is a bit beyond me.
This is a versatile machine - you can get lots of accessories to add on, but they are quite pricey, but out of the box, as a classic stand mixer, this is a very good buy at the current price on Amazon.

I indulged in purchasing a Kenwood Chef to mark my 50th birthday prompted by my love of baking and fond memories of my mum's fantastic Kenwood Chefette, a long lasting, well made and very useful device for this single working lady to have.
I had read the reviews noting the comments of those who said the device was poorly calibrated but that this could be resolved; they were right, at least as far as the K beater is concerned. Properly calibrated, which my K beater wasn't, it is a fantastic component that makes lovely light cakes. At this point I also have to say that the liquidiser attachment is a joy, it takes my memory right back to my mum's kitchen! It is a nifty, tough and very effective device.
Unfortunately there is an "however": the whisk is not so easily calibrated. I am sure it will deal adequaltely with egg whites, as long as enough egg whites are used, but it does not cope very well with batter, leaving loads of flour on the sides of the bowl even after being calibrated to take the mixture off the bottom. A broader design needed perhaps?
Still, all in all, I am quite satisfied and I am pleased to have this creator of lovely light sponges and wonderful sauces on my kitchen surface.