Kitchen Aid mixer questions

[Michael_in_TX]

Basically, the KitchenAid is Thermapen of mixers.

[WillTravelForFood]

We use the Pasta attachment A LOT. After you've used a hand-crank, you'll never go back to not wanting to use the KA pasta attachment instead. It's normally a bit pricey, but we were lucky enough to stumble upon a phenomenal sale a few Black Fridays ago and bought it on a whim. At the price we paid for it, it was a steal.

We also recommend keeping a 2nd bowl and a 2nd beater handy, just because you know you'll need it.

[WillTravelForFood]

Roller and cutter

[barelfly]

If you enjoy making pasta, give the extruder a try. Small and large macaroni, rigatoni, bucatini and fusilli shapes. I think I use the extruder more than the roller/cutters.

[Attjack]

How long can fresh pasta keep?

[DavidNorcross]

Another user here as well. Had for years no issues. A workhorse

[ssandy_561]

I have one and I usually use it for making pizza dough. I also use it once a year to make fudge.

I’ve made homemade butter with it a couple of times that turned out great. I really need to use it more for this.

[Washblue]

We’ve used an Artisan for a couple decades…
bread doughs, cakes, cookies… tomato processing, meat grinding…
small footprint for a counter appliance…
used to have a lower cabinet swing up for it…. Now use it often enough it hides behind the TV when not in use…
have had no problems…
and it’s provided lots of good eats…

[Washblue]

This is most of it… grinders… juicers… stuffer… pasta extruder… slaw shredder…
I added pictures above…
Sid P …

[Sid P]

Washblue Thanks!

[texastweeter]

That's the older grinder with the wooden stomper. The new one has the stomper built into the ring wrench. I use my grinder anytime I'm grinding 10lbs or less, but when butchering a hog, or deer or elk or anything like that, I go with my LEM. I also have te pasta roller. It gets used to make crackers as often as it does for pasta, lol.

[58limited]

I bought the Pro series on sale two years ago and I love it. It replaced my 1957 Sunbeam which, frankly, was way too small and under powered although it served me well for years. So far I've used mine mostly for doughs. I have an aftermarket meat grinder for times I only want to grind a couple of pounds of meat for burgers or test sausage batches - it is easier to clean than my big commercial unit. I also bought the grain grinder but really haven't used it - I'm not grinding grain for baking like I thought I would.

[Mosca]

Here’s a question: What is it good for aside from baking?

I bought one a few years ago when they were on sale for $250 or thereabouts, and I never used it. Not only did I never use it, I never even opened the box. We threw a tablecloth over the box and used it as an end table for a year and a half! I finally gave it to one of my sisters.

I just don’t bake. I’d love to, but I can’t handle all that sugar and all that starch. If I started baking stuff I’d lose a foot probably.

[Steve B]

That’s kinda what I was asking. Obviously it’s great for baking and doughs and such. But what else do people use it for.

[rickgregory]

Here’s a question: What is it good for aside from baking?

I bought one a few years ago when they were on sale for $250 or thereabouts, and I never used it. Not only did I never use it, I never even opened the box. We threw a tablecloth over the box and used it as an end table for a year and a half! I finally gave it to one of my sisters.

I just don’t bake. I’d love to, but I can’t handle all that sugar and all that starch. If I started baking stuff I’d lose a foot probably.

A KA mixer is a jack of many trades. Dough, obviously. But the attachments make it able to do a lot more. The complete list is here (make sure you click the Load More button at the bottom of the page) : https://www.kitchenaid.com/counterto...s&plpView=list

Now, if you look at that list and think "yeah, I'll never do any of that" then the answer for you is "nothing" which is, of course fine.

One more thing - sometimes the KA isn't as good as a dedicated version. For example, there's a juicer attachment. I've not used it, but maybe it's not as good as a dedicated juicer. But if you do use 2 or 3 of the attachments then you're saving all of the space you'd need for everything.

[Mosca]

Man, as much as I love great tools that work beautifully and last forever, I just don’t need one. Even with something like bread, we rarely finish a loaf, or a pack of buns, before it’s growing mold. (See the topic about things you never finish.)

[Attjack]

We keep our bread in the freezer where it stats fresh for months.

[rickgregory]

Mosca - yeah then i'd just sell the one you have and not worry about it. It's like me and food processors or instant pots. Every once in a while I think about them, but I just don't have more than a VERY occasional need for those so... I pass.

[jfmorris]

We’ve got a Kitchenaide, and I use it more than my wife for making bread. Works great. I got the metal grinder and it’s pretty easy to break down and clean, but is not dishwasher safe. We also have a grater/slicer. I got both attachments on sale about half price direct from Kitchenaide.

[Darchie03]

Hey y’all. I’ve been mulling over getting a stand alone mixer. From what I’ve read here Kitchen Aid is the way to go.
So my questions are:

Who here has one? And what do you use it for?

I already have a food processor, blender and stand alone grinder. The grinder rarely gets used cause it’s a pain to clean.

My plan, if I pull the trigger on one, will be to get a grinder attachment, probably the plastic one, for occasional use. And I would like to get back into making my own pizza dough. Also maybe try my hand at making some types of bread.
So again what do you guys and gals use yours for?

Thanks, SteveB.

I have had one for many years use for bread making, grinding meat, & other mixing. Do not get the tilt head mixer they now have nylon gears, get one of the lift bowl units. look on line & get a metal grinder the plastic ones break easy, you can normally find one on ebay.

[Steve B]

Thanks brother. The pro series, which has the metal gears, is what I’m looking at.
Also I’m thinking of the plastic grinder to start. If it holds up great. If not it’s only about $40 so no big loss. I’ve had bigger losses. 😁

[Darchie03]

You can get A metal or stainless one on ebay for less

[Attjack]

Don't pay $40 for the plastic one you can get it cheaper.

[Smokenmeat]

Mine is the morlst used kitchen appliance in my kitchen, I make bread dough, cakes, pasta with the pasta attachment, spiralized vegetables, I make butter, whipped cream, whip masshed potatoes in it ... I can't live without my kitchen-aid

[Steve B]

A little nudge like this never hurts to put me over the top. Thanks. 👍

[CHNeal]

We threw a tablecloth over the box and used it as an end table for a year and a half!

I almost spit my coffee out when I read that! Of course if I had I would have needed to wash the tablecloth thats been sitting on a still new in box dehumidifier Ive been using for an end table for 3 years!!!!

[hoovarmin]

Steve-O, I haven't read through all the posts, so sorry if this is redundant. I like ours, only get the attachments that are coated or stainless so you can wash them in the dishwasher without them doing the usual thing those materials do in the dishwasher. Unless, that is, you like doing your dishes by hand.

[Steve B]

Our dishwasher is my wife. 😂😂
She never wanted one when we did our first reno years ago. I on the other hand got spoiled when I had my condo before we got this house.

[hoovarmin]

They take up a lot of space that can be used for more cooking gear!

[Steve B]

Thanks everyone.
Just ordered the pro 5+ in Matt Black and the 3 piece pasta attachment from Kitchenaid. And a metal grinder attachment from Amazon. Has really good reviews and is the same price as the plastic one from KA.

Only downside is it hasn’t arrived yet. 😂😂

[Steve B]

fzxdoc Thanks Kathryn. I’m sure I will.
BTW. How you doing?

[barelfly]

PASTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Careful with the pasta roller when cleaning……I’ve gone through two of them over the 15 years I’ve had the KA.

Pasta sheets for ravioli! Or pasta sheets that you hand cut for pappardelle with braised short ribs!

[fzxdoc]

Doing OK, Steve. Thank you for asking.
Transitioning from the rigid neck brace to a soft collar over the next week or so. Bit by bit...

K.

[texastweeter]

Just replaced the worm gear and repacked it with grease. Total repair cost, $13.99 and an hour of my time. They make a metal worm gear DO NOT GET IT. the worm gear is nylon for a reason. It is a sacrificial part, go with the metal one, and you can end up wrecking the planetary. The first time I replaced it, it took about 2 hours. I should probably get a higher end kitchenaid, but this one just won't die, except the worm gear. All I do for maintenance is repack with new grease every few years, and even that isn't necessary really.

[jhapka]

texastweeter I have the pro 500 lift bowl. A couple years ago there was something in the bowl with the dough hook when it was turned on. Not pretty. Now it works just fine but makes a grinding sound. You think I should try changing the worm?

[texastweeter]

jhapka pull it apart first and check. Bet it is. Easy to do. 1 ring, 1 pin, and like 9 screws.