Sunbeam Mixmasters
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human
Well-known member
My newest 'frankenmixer'
I needed it like I needed another hole in my head, but it all just came together so naturally. On my way home from work Monday, I picked up a chrome Mixmaster 1-8B power head with a cord at a thrift shop for just a dollar. I looked carefully for the other components but couldn't find them. It was in better shape than the one I had sitting on a chrome stand, so I thought I'd just swap them out and let the other one become a spare or parts donor, whatever need arose first. But that was not to be.
Later that evening, I was idly surfing eBay (when will I ever learn that's never a good idea) when I found not one but two lots that contained everything I needed to cobble together yet another complete Mixmaster. To make things even better, both packages arrived together this afternoon.
One lot consisted of a pristine set of beaters and a large FireKing co-branded mixing bowl. As luck would have it, I already had the matching small bowl, which I had picked up at a thrift shop for $2 several years ago. The bowl and beaters cost me less than the beaters alone typically cost. The other lot was a 'yellow' base with a brown turntable for about what the turntable alone would normally cost. I put the word yellow in quotation marks because in the auction photos, it looked more nearly white, so I assumed it was probably almond colored, which I happen to like on appliances. The color was actually closer to mustard, as it appears in the first photo below, which was taken without a flash. I was able to replicate the color distortion by using the camera's built-in flash on the second photo. The 'yellow' on the eBay photos was even more washed out, appearing almost white. When I first opened the box, I was mildly disappointed that it was mustard gold instead of almond, but now that the thing is all put together, I'm getting over it rapidly. Honestly, it's actually starting to grow on me a little. Although to my knowledge, that particular combination never came out of the Sunbeam factory, it looks pretty good.
The only thing is I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I honestly don't need three mixers, although at one point a couple of years ago, I had four. I now need to decide whether to sell one, donate one to my church's rummage sale as I did last year. or just keep them all. I have even thought of playing mix-n-match and putting the best components with the chrome base, which I would probably do before selling or donating one. I don't know why I love these mixers so much, but I do.
I needed it like I needed another hole in my head, but it all just came together so naturally. On my way home from work Monday, I picked up a chrome Mixmaster 1-8B power head with a cord at a thrift shop for just a dollar. I looked carefully for the other components but couldn't find them. It was in better shape than the one I had sitting on a chrome stand, so I thought I'd just swap them out and let the other one become a spare or parts donor, whatever need arose first. But that was not to be.
Later that evening, I was idly surfing eBay (when will I ever learn that's never a good idea) when I found not one but two lots that contained everything I needed to cobble together yet another complete Mixmaster. To make things even better, both packages arrived together this afternoon.
One lot consisted of a pristine set of beaters and a large FireKing co-branded mixing bowl. As luck would have it, I already had the matching small bowl, which I had picked up at a thrift shop for $2 several years ago. The bowl and beaters cost me less than the beaters alone typically cost. The other lot was a 'yellow' base with a brown turntable for about what the turntable alone would normally cost. I put the word yellow in quotation marks because in the auction photos, it looked more nearly white, so I assumed it was probably almond colored, which I happen to like on appliances. The color was actually closer to mustard, as it appears in the first photo below, which was taken without a flash. I was able to replicate the color distortion by using the camera's built-in flash on the second photo. The 'yellow' on the eBay photos was even more washed out, appearing almost white. When I first opened the box, I was mildly disappointed that it was mustard gold instead of almond, but now that the thing is all put together, I'm getting over it rapidly. Honestly, it's actually starting to grow on me a little. Although to my knowledge, that particular combination never came out of the Sunbeam factory, it looks pretty good.
The only thing is I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I honestly don't need three mixers, although at one point a couple of years ago, I had four. I now need to decide whether to sell one, donate one to my church's rummage sale as I did last year. or just keep them all. I have even thought of playing mix-n-match and putting the best components with the chrome base, which I would probably do before selling or donating one. I don't know why I love these mixers so much, but I do.
human
Well-known member
Addendum:
I pulled out my other 1-8B out of the cabinet a little while ago and swapped parts around so that the power head I got from Goodwill this week is now on the chrome stand with the better of the two turntables and the FireKing bowls. That puts all the best bits together as a single machine and a complete frankenmixer for parts or whatever.
I pulled out my other 1-8B out of the cabinet a little while ago and swapped parts around so that the power head I got from Goodwill this week is now on the chrome stand with the better of the two turntables and the FireKing bowls. That puts all the best bits together as a single machine and a complete frankenmixer for parts or whatever.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Good idea. Sunbeam's harvest gold looks more mustard yellow especially with the brown turtable and trim. I sometimes can't tell what color my 1-7A is. I did something similar, I found mine at the thrift for $6 missing the bowls and beaters. I managed to locate the large bowl and a lady helped me find the beaters but later I realized they weren't the ones for this model.
On eBay I found another 1-7A with the correct beaters, dough hooks and manual, recipe book and hang tag for $10 but it now. I was able to combine it with my large bowl and have a working unit. The eBay unit clearly had little use as it has no scrathes and sounds better than the first one.
I like the looks of your stove, do you like it? That looks like the TOL Sears model in my 91 catalog.
On eBay I found another 1-7A with the correct beaters, dough hooks and manual, recipe book and hang tag for $10 but it now. I was able to combine it with my large bowl and have a working unit. The eBay unit clearly had little use as it has no scrathes and sounds better than the first one.
I like the looks of your stove, do you like it? That looks like the TOL Sears model in my 91 catalog.
human
Well-known member
You're spot on about the stove. It's a Lady Kenmore from the early '90s. It's been well loved in our family. Dad got it new on a scratch-n-dent sale and used it in their house in Raleigh for five or six years, then took it with them when they moved to Charlotte. They replaced it two years ago because of an intermittent problem with the control board, in which the oven would spontaneously shut off during the pre-heat cycle. I brought it to my house in Greensboro and used it for more than a year before the oven just wouldn't work at all, then I got it repaired under my home warranty. The board was discontinued so they had to send it off to be rebuilt. It came back having been stripped down to the bare circuit board and all components replaced. After putting it back in, the tech said that if it lasted 25 years before being rebuilt, it should be good for another 25. Time will tell, I guess. We are talking about circuit boards, after all.
cajunvac
Well-known member
Questions asked but not answered plus lagnaipe
The first Sunbeam MixMaster to have a chrome finish was the model 10 only a few were made. late in the model run, around late 1954. Most likely because to see if they had consumer appeal. The only one seen was owned by the late Kelly Beard. Definitely a highly prized collector's item. When model 12 was discontinued and MM series began. Mixmasters were available in white (w/ white bowls), pink, yellow, turquoise, sandlewood and pale blue beginning in 1968, all with clear bowls and Stainless steel bowls with the chrome model. Avocado and harvest gold were added in 1969 and the pastel colors that began in the 1950s were dropped. The 1968, MM models had a 175 watt motor. Consumer Reports did not rate the MM series very well, struggling with the cookie dough test, that previous MixMaster models passed. In 1975 the dough hook models having 225 and a short time later, 235 watt motors were introduced. The instruction/recipe book had very detailed instructions about bread making. The trim color of the handle Mixfinder dial, and bowl shift lever changed from black to woodtone brown. In late 1979, the Power Plus MixMaster was introduced, Shirley Jones was hired to be their spokesperson. Julia Child's comments about MixMasters in her television show and in her cookbooks seem to have had some input in the PowerPlus design. She tested one w/o naming the brand but was through enough know the mixer from her description. At the time, Julia had a monthly column in McCall's magazine. Sunbeam was losing sales to KitchenAid at the time and the Power Plus and later Professional series was expected to compete. Unfortunately the bowl fit beaters of the Power Plus were not set so close to the sides of the bowl. Also the electronic speed control was also found not be very durable in handling heavy loads. The Power Plus had larger beaters, heavy dough hooks and deeper narrower bowls (2 and 4 qt. capacity, 16 speeds and 350 watt motor. there were variations having timers, a slower stir/fold speed. A juicer, slicer/shredder, and grinder/chopper were optional accessories.
The first Sunbeam MixMaster to have a chrome finish was the model 10 only a few were made. late in the model run, around late 1954. Most likely because to see if they had consumer appeal. The only one seen was owned by the late Kelly Beard. Definitely a highly prized collector's item. When model 12 was discontinued and MM series began. Mixmasters were available in white (w/ white bowls), pink, yellow, turquoise, sandlewood and pale blue beginning in 1968, all with clear bowls and Stainless steel bowls with the chrome model. Avocado and harvest gold were added in 1969 and the pastel colors that began in the 1950s were dropped. The 1968, MM models had a 175 watt motor. Consumer Reports did not rate the MM series very well, struggling with the cookie dough test, that previous MixMaster models passed. In 1975 the dough hook models having 225 and a short time later, 235 watt motors were introduced. The instruction/recipe book had very detailed instructions about bread making. The trim color of the handle Mixfinder dial, and bowl shift lever changed from black to woodtone brown. In late 1979, the Power Plus MixMaster was introduced, Shirley Jones was hired to be their spokesperson. Julia Child's comments about MixMasters in her television show and in her cookbooks seem to have had some input in the PowerPlus design. She tested one w/o naming the brand but was through enough know the mixer from her description. At the time, Julia had a monthly column in McCall's magazine. Sunbeam was losing sales to KitchenAid at the time and the Power Plus and later Professional series was expected to compete. Unfortunately the bowl fit beaters of the Power Plus were not set so close to the sides of the bowl. Also the electronic speed control was also found not be very durable in handling heavy loads. The Power Plus had larger beaters, heavy dough hooks and deeper narrower bowls (2 and 4 qt. capacity, 16 speeds and 350 watt motor. there were variations having timers, a slower stir/fold speed. A juicer, slicer/shredder, and grinder/chopper were optional accessories.
Sunbeam Mixmaser Power Plus
I have the Power Plus mixmaster with all the attachments, and I love it. Great mixer.
I have the Power Plus mixmaster with all the attachments, and I love it. Great mixer.
human
Well-known member
That's a nice Mixmaster. I'm envious of the stainless steel bowls.
I've decided to give my 'frankenmixer' to my niece. I'll be taking it to her at Easter. She's excited to get it. Her mom, my sister, has already schooled her right. When I told my niece about the mixer, the first thing she said was "Oh yeah, Mom's always told me the older ones are made way better than the new ones."
I've decided to give my 'frankenmixer' to my niece. I'll be taking it to her at Easter. She's excited to get it. Her mom, my sister, has already schooled her right. When I told my niece about the mixer, the first thing she said was "Oh yeah, Mom's always told me the older ones are made way better than the new ones."
cajunvac
Well-known member
Power Plus Mixmaster
I like using the long KitchenAid spatulas when I am using my Power Plus MixMaster. Mine is a chrome model w/o the stir feature or timer. My favorite mixer to use when genoise, sponge cake or pound cakes. Have two sets of bowls and beaters for it too
I like using the long KitchenAid spatulas when I am using my Power Plus MixMaster. Mine is a chrome model w/o the stir feature or timer. My favorite mixer to use when genoise, sponge cake or pound cakes. Have two sets of bowls and beaters for it too
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Thanks for answering the questions on your post, especially on the colors. I knew I had seen those 1950s pastel colors on the MM series, but the avocado and harvest gold seem much more common on eBay than the earlier colors.
My aunt has that mixer, but
all of it is chrome. Got it in New York City in the early 70s. One thing she likes most is the stainless steel bows....... much lighter/safer than glass.
all of it is chrome. Got it in New York City in the early 70s. One thing she likes most is the stainless steel bows....... much lighter/safer than glass.
human
Well-known member
Stainless Steel Bowls
Yes, I'd love to have a set of stainless steel bowls for mine. All I've ever had are the glass ones, not that there's anything wrong with those.
Yes, I'd love to have a set of stainless steel bowls for mine. All I've ever had are the glass ones, not that there's anything wrong with those.
human
Well-known member
Hans,
I'll have to take you up on that bet. I'm less than an hour from Mocksville.
I'll have to take you up on that bet. I'm less than an hour from Mocksville.
human
Well-known member
I hear you. I helped my parents clear out their house and move to a retirement community two years ago. I'm still dealing with fallout from that, so I certainly don't judge. It might be a week or two before I can get over there. I've got to finish up midterm grades this weekend but I look forward to it when it happens.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
Hmm, an estate sale this weekend has an avocado Mixmaster MMA in the pictures, it has both bowls to it too, tempting. May have to go on Saturday and see if it's still there.
human
Well-known member
I gave my niece the 'frankenmixer' this past weekend and she was ecstatic. She couldn't wait to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies.
suckolux
Well-known member
My kind of recycling there Edgar! We always seem to be thinking alike
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