Kitchen-Aid 5.5 qt, lift bowl mixer from Costco.
I'd been looking to replace the KA mixer that was my father's. He had it as far back as 1980 as I remember, and being as frugal as he was, bought it used. It served him well and has served me well for the past 10 years. Last year it started to sound like it was going to give up the ghost any minute, though it never did. I've tried, unsuccessfully so far, finding a place to refurbish it.
Anyway, this past week I started looking for a new one and figured the 6qt professional model ($449.00) was in my future. Started pricing them and with sales and coupons could get one for about $100.00 less. The we went into Costco and saw the KV5MEX model (5.5 quart, lift bowl, all metal gears, soft start ) for $289.00 with an instant mfg's rebate and another $30 mail in rebate it actually came to $259.00.
Does anyone have experience with this model? It certainly looks good but we haven't used it yet.
I'm reluctant to give up the "antique" but if this one's a keeper, well then my daughter can have her grandfather's machine.
Any information will be most appreciated.
TFC

It depends; if I'm cleaning escarole, which can be quite "dirty", I fill the sink about halfway (7 inches of water) and, holding the core in my hand, repeated plunge the head into the water. This takes out most of the dirt at one time. Most times I'll drain the sink and repeat the process. Depending on how many heads I'm making (up to 4) I might do this 4 times with all 4 heads being cleaned each time. It is by far the fastest method I've found.
Other veggies get rinsed, rubbed or, in the case of broccoli di rape, repeatedly bathed.
TFC