Most standard food processors will do these things without costing the earth. Making dough is a tricky one, though; you really need something quite solid for that.

You may have to compromise.

Yes, I take the same view.

iPom - thanks for the advice, I have more of an idea now what to look for and what to avoid

Vash - I've remembered that I can make dough in my breadmaker Shows how often I've done that! Breadmaker (and juicer, blender etc) are gathering dust in my kitchen cupboards at the moment - getting them out of said cupboards and finding space in our tiny kitchen for them takes almost as long as making things with them. Can't wait to buy a house with a bigger kitchen (we have an old worker's cottage in Rozelle, two up, two down with a kitchen and bathroom tagged on to the back).

So I'll forget about the dough! I think I'd like to make pastry though, especially shortcrust. And being able to process biscuits for cheesecake, rather than having to beat them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.

Pleasure. Let us know what you get and how good it is... We should do a product recommendation thread on this place.

I was already thinking about doing that for cosmetic things....

I would recommend Kenwood - I have had mine since 1989 and use it all the time. It does do bread but I have never used it - I tend to make it by hand as I love just getting lost in my own little world!!!

The most important thing is the power rating of the motor. As big as you can find. Thats way the Magimix is so good.

You can buy Kenwood in Oz, its just very bloody expensive. The chefs are $1000.
I bought a moulinex and have come to discover that it is just plastic crap
The lid clip has broken, and not through heavy handed use and a few of the graters and disks have broken. If I could afford a kenwood, I would have one in a heart beat.
So, watch out for plastic crap, and don't spend too much on it as you will only be disappointed.

I use sites like Ciao.co.uk to read product reviews, it's really handy to know what other people think before making a purchase. I haven't found anything similar for Australia as yet.

A site I used in the UK, handbag.com, has a beauty/cosmetics recommendations forum, it gets a huge amount of posts! There is a demand out there, so maybe it is something to suggest to BE?

Vanessa / Sass73 - if I could afford it, I'd go for a Kenwood (or Magimix), my electric beaters are by Kenwood and must be about 20 years old because they belonged to my mother (who was never a good cook, so I appropriated them!).

I'll let you know what I ask the in-laws to buy me, and whether it turns out to be a good buy - as it's meant to be a xmas present I might have to wait a while to actually use it, unfortunately.

You can buy them brand new on Ebay for less than $400 (here or here).

Alternatively, the Weddling List Company has a range of mixers and blenders, some of which are made by Kenwood. They have three versions of the Chef, available for $200 (Junior Chef), $500 (Chef Kitchen Machine) and $700 (Chef Classic).

shopping.com isn't too bad. Not as good as ciao.co.uk, but at least it's a start.

Cheers Vash. I'll look into that. Hopefully a new Xmas pressie for me

Try a Bamix...
http://www.petersofkensington.com.au...594975&cid=537

They are like nothing else.

I have a Bamix... but they're expensive. Maybe Ebay?

cmone iPom get them massage parlour stories telt

yes Kenwood with the good size mixing bowl, my mum had one, it came with a dough hook too, I loved that machine.

personally I prefer a knife and chopping board, but that's what I prefer. I do have a food processor which is used for some things. (oh I do love my stand alone blender for soups etc)

i'd have a good look around in the shops and compare them and on the websites too. check out the motor speed too, and if you can buy add ons if it only comes with standard attachments.

OI! This is a damn food mixer thread. Back! BACK!