My favorite memories growing up were baking dozens of delicious cookies with my grandmother. Those memories of baking and discussing life are some of my most cherished. Keep in mind these are the days before KitchenAid mixers – so, all of the mixing was done by hand.
This is also before the time when my Grandma developed painful arthritis – more on that in a moment.
Grandma and I would make chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, and her favorite, oatmeal raisin cookies.We would make large batches of cookies in big, steel bowls. We would take turns adding the ingredients and then mixing them with the strength of our own hands and arms.
We did this year after year for special family occasions and during the holidays. After the cookies were finished baking, we would package them up and deliver them to friends, family members, members of our church, and people who lived in nursing homes. Eventually, grandma developed painful arthritis in her fingers and wrists.
We would make large batches of cookies in big, steel bowls. We would take turns adding the ingredients and then mixing them with the strength of our own hands and arms. We did this year after year for special family occasions and during the holidays. After the cookies were finished baking, we would package them up and deliver them to friends, family members, members of our church, and people who lived in nursing homes.
Eventually, grandma developed painful arthritis in her fingers and wrists.
I will never forget that November day that grandma tearfully told me she would no longer be able to bake cookies with me due to her excruciating pain.
I knew there had to be a way to keep our precious tradition alive despite my grandma’s declining health. That Christmas, I received the best gift ever from my husband.
This gift would ensure that my grandma and I could continue our tradition of baking cookies together. My patient (and charitable!) husband bought me a KitchenAid mixer.
With the help of my brand new mixer, neither grandma nor I had to worry about using our hands or wrists to stir the heavy cookie doughs. Instead, my mixer took care of the labor intensive part of cooking making- the ingredient mixing process. My KitchenAid mixer has come in handy time and time again. However, my favorite thing about the mixer is that it enabled my traditions with my grandma to continue.
I’m not the only person who is highly satisfied with KitchenAid mixers! If you have ever watched a cooking show on Food Network or the Cooking Channel, it is quite likely that you have seen a chef or a baker use a KitchenAid mixer. There is a good reason why many professional chefs and bakers use KitchenAid mixers. The reason why so many famous chefs use these mixers is because they are high quality and extremely versatile!
Today, I’m going to give you the 411 about Kitchen Aid mixers. You will find everything you need to know before you make the investment. I truly believe you will be highly satisfied with your mixer, just as I am with mine!
Here’s my infographic about the mixer that saved the day… (Click the image to enlarge or download the JPG version)
Miracle KitchenAid Mixers Saved the Day For Grandma
Maintaining Tradition With The Help Of KitchenAid Mixers
KitchenAid mixers are known for their versatility and reliability. That is why they are so well recognized and expensive! They can be used to prepare a variety of foods from cake mixes to cookies, fluffy frostings, mashed potatoes, meat mixtures, doughs of all kinds, and so much more.
KitchenAid creates high-quality products, such as their mixers, that are extremely durable.
The mixers can be used over and over again for years to come. When it comes to KitchenAid stand mixer models, having limited options is not an issue! The mixers are created in a variety of sizes and colors. There is a Kitchen Aide mixer to suit every aspiring chef and baker’s needs. You can really get creative when you use a KitchenAid mixer because it is so versatile. All these factors make KitchenAid mixers as must have in any kitchen!
Different KitchenAid Stand Mixer Features
Some KitchenAid stand mixer models feature a tilt – headstand that is attached to the base of the stand. In order to access the mixing bowl, you must tilt back the head of the mixer. Other mixers have a bowl – lift design that allows the bowl to be lifted up to the mixing head where the beaters are located.
Typically, the bowl – lift mixer models can accommodate larger batches and mixes than the tilt – head models can. You can purchase tilt – head mixer models that come with glass bowls instead of metal bowls. The glass bowls come in handy because they can be microwaved (which makes it easy to melt your ingredients!) and they have clear measurement markings.
Please note, if you have limited counter space you may want to invest in a tilt – head mixer model simply because they fit under standard sized kitchen cabinets. The bowl – lift models tend to be bigger and bulkier and may not fit under your cabinets. Personally, I prefer the bowl – lift model because I like baking huge batches of cookies at one time.
However, your cooking habits will dictate the best model option for you.
Kitchen Aid Mixer Parts
When you decide to purchase a Kitchen Aid mixer, you must choose from several different size options based on your baking needs. You can choose from a 4.5 quart Kitchen Aide mixer bowl, a 5 quart Kitchen Aide mixer bowl, a 6 quart Kitchen Aide mixer bowl, a 7-quart pro-life Kitchen Aid mixer bowl, or a commercial 8 quart Kitchen Aid mixer bowl. The size you select should be based on your cooking habits and needs. For people who typically cook smaller quantities of food, the 4.5 or 5 quart Kitchen Aid mixers might be their best option.
These size options are ideal for those who typically prepare foods in single batches or who only cook occasionally. For those who like to bake in bulk, the 6 or 7-quart mixers may be a good choice. These larger mixers are equipped to mix big and dense batches of foods and mixes. For example, the 6-quart stand mixer can handle nearly 15 cups of all purpose flour. The larger mixers are great for individuals who enjoy cooking large portions at once or who cook frequently.
You can select from mixers that come with metal bowls or glass bowls. Some of the mixer models feature glass or metal bowls that have handles, while other models feature bowls that do not have handles. The handles make it easier to pour the mixtures and doughs out of the bowl.
All Kitchen Aid stand mixers come with a powered hub. This is where the attachments can be added. You will also find the Kitchen Aid brand decal located near the power hub. The mixers come with a flat beater which is ideal for mixing cookie dough, mashed potatoes, and cake batters; a dough hook which is best suited for kneading various doughs; and a wire whip which makes creating light, fluffy frostings a breeze.Certain mixer models include nylon beaters and dough hooks, whereas others come with burnished aluminum beaters and hooks. Also, some mixer models come with a pouring shield which helps prevent spills and messed, while other models do not. You will want to closely read the details about each mixer model before placing your order. As I mentioned, different models come with slightly different parts.
Certain mixer models include nylon beaters and dough hooks, whereas others come with burnished aluminum beaters and hooks. Also, some mixer models come with a pouring shield which helps prevent spills, while other models do not. You will want to closely read the details about each mixer model before placing your order. As I mentioned, different models come with slightly different parts.
Kitchen Aid Mixer Attachments
There are 15 different Kitchen Aid mixer attachments you can purchase to use with your stand mixer.
The attachments make the Kitchen Aid mixers even more versatile and beneficial! Depending upon the mixer model you select, you can purchase the following attachments to be used with your mixer: a 2 quart ice cream maker attachment, a food grinder attachment, a spiralizer attachment, a pasta roller and cutter attachment, a flex edge beater, a citrus juicer attachment, a slicer / shredder attachment, a food processor attachment with dicing kit, a pasta press attachment, a masticating juicer and saucer attachment, and a grain – mill attachment.
As you can see, there are many different attachments you can purchase to use with your mixer. Before you buy an attachment for your particular mixer, you may want to make sure the attachment is compatible with your mixer model. My personal favorite attachments are the pasta press or roller attachment (awesome for making delicious homemade pasta!), the spiralizer attachment (so helpful when you want to spiralize veggies or fruits!), and the ice cream maker attachment.
Kitchen Aid Colors
It can be difficult to find household appliances and kitchen tools that coordinate with your kitchen decor. That will never be the case with a Kitchen Aid mixer!
These mixers come in nearly every color under the sun. Some models are only available in certain colors, but most models come in many, many different colors. Here are all of the (current) possible color options you can choose from: Caviar, Onyx Black, Matte Black, Imperial Black, Imperial Gray, Matte Gray, Silver Metallic, Metallic Chrome, Contour Silver, White on White, White, Matte White, Pink, Cranberry, Boysenberry, Bordeaux, Watermelon, Ruby Red, Gloss Cinnamon, Empire Red, Persimmon, Tangerine, Buttercup, Majestic Yellow, Green Apple, Bay Leaf, Pistachio, Aqua Sky, Ice Blue, Crystal Blue, Cornflower Blue, Ocean Drive, Blue Willow, Cobalt Blue, Lavender Cream, Espresso, and Gold Shimmer. PHEW!
As you can see in the pictures of the various models, there are many different colors to select from. They truly have a color to coordinate with any kitchen! My husband got me a Kitchen Aid mixer in Empire Red, and I LOVE it. It matches perfectly with my kitchen decor.
Kitchen Aid Mixer Covers
You can keep dust and dirt off your mixer with Kitchen Aid mixer covers. You can find the official Kitchen Aid mixer covers in several different colors such as red, black, and gray. The covers are durable and made of a strong, high quality quilted material. Please note, the mixer covers may fit too snugly on the larger Kitchen Aid mixer models.
Be sure to do a bit of research before you purchase a mixer cover to ensure that it will properly fit on your mixer.
Kitchen Aid Mixer Pricing
The best time to purchase a Kitchen Aid mixer is when they go on sale. This typically occurs at random times throughout the year. Often, the mixers will be sold at a discounted price around the Christmas season. Black Friday is a great time to purchase a mixer because they tend to be on sale.
Amazon may randomly sell select Kitchen Aid stand mixer models at a discounted price at various times during the year. Many stores sell Kitchen Aid mixers (such as Target, Kohls, Macy’s, Sears, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, Costco, and the KitchenAid Store Online). Shop around to get the very best bargain on your mixer!
Compare prices, and check to see if stores price match. You may also want to look around for special rebate offers, special deals, and more. Kitchen Aid mixers are not cheap, but I think (and many customers agree) that they are worth every penny. That being said, it is nice to save some money when you can. You could even get a gently used Kitchen Aid mixer, but you would want to ensure that the mixer still works properly before making the investment.
Kitchen Aid Hand Mixer
If you feel a hand mixer is better suited for your culinary needs, you may want to consider investing in a Kitchen Aid hand mixer. Just like the stand mixers, the hand mixers are very durable, high quality, and easy to use. The hand mixers blend ingredients at a surprisingly fast speed.
They come in several different color options (such as red, turquoise, black, silver, etc.) so that they can coordinate with your kitchen decor. You can use the hand mixers to prepare a variety of foods and mixtures such as cake batters, butter, brownie mixes, mashed potatoes, and more.
Kitchen Aid Warranty Info
All Kitchen Aid mixers come with some type of warranty. However, the warranties vary slightly from one model to the next, so read over them carefully. Under certain warranties, repairs can be handled by Kitchen Aid.
Overall Review:
When you read reviews written by people who have purchased Kitchen Aid mixers, you will find that customers are consistently satisfied with their mixers. When it comes to repairing a broken mixer, you will want to consult your mixer’s warranty.
As I stated before, I love my Kitchen Aid mixer. I have never had any problems with it, and I am so thankful my husband bought my mixer for me. I created so many new memories with my grandma using my mixer as we bake dozens of cookies up until the year that she passed away.
Our tradition had to change slightly to accommodate her changing health. I will always be grateful that my mixer allowed my grandma and me to continue our beloved tradition together. I hope you love your mixer as much as I do. I hope it will help you create precious memories with your family members!
Last update on 2024-04-19 at 16:36 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API