The 7 Best KitchenAid Mixers in 2022

What to Look for in a KitchenAid Mixer

Style

There are two types of KitchenAid mixers: tilt-head and bowl-lift. The motorhead of a tilt-head mixer pushes back to let you pour ingredients into the bowl and access the beater. A bowl-lift mixer has a lever that pulls the bowl up to the beater. There is also a tilt-head "mini" model that's lighter and more compact than a typical tilt-head mixer.

Size and Capacity

Tilt-head mixers typically have a medium build, meaning they fit pretty well under most cabinets and have a capacity of around 5 quarts. They're quite heavy, however, coming in at approximately 26 pounds. Still, they're not quite as heavy as bowl-lift mixers, which punch in at 29 to 30 pounds; their bowls can hold up to 6 quarts. Due to their size, however, they're meant to be displayed on the counter and not placed under a cabinet. According to KitchenAid, the tilt-head model is made for families or people who plan to use mixers every day, while the bowl-lift model is designed for cooking for a crowd or handling heavy mixtures.

Attachments and Accessories

KitchenAid has more than 10 motor attachments that work with all of its stand mixers. These include a juicer, food processor, spiralizer, and pasta roller, among others. There are also helpful accessories available, such as pouring shields, pouring chutes, and covers.

FAQs

How do you use a KitchenAid mixer?

According to KitchenAid, follow these steps for success. The home appliance brand also features illustrated instructions of each step below, as well as more details about different models and accessories.

• Set your stand mixer on a flat, level surface
• Select your accessory and attach
• Lock your mixing bowl in place
• Add ingredients according to the recipe
• Lock head (if you have a tilt model), turn on, and select speed
• If you have splatter guard, attach it
• When finished mixing, shut off, unlock head, and remove bowl
• Remove accessory and wash
• Once finished with bowl contents, clean it and your mixer
• Dry and store mixer for next use

How do you clean a KitchenAid mixer?

Be sure the mixer is unplugged. Wash all attachments and the mixing bowl by hand in warm, soapy water. Dry thoroughly and store for next time. Wipe down the stand mixer with a damp sponge and mild cleanser. Get in all the nooks and crannies where food debris can hide, but be careful around knobs and levers. 

If you have tough, stuck-on debris, concoct a paste using water and baking soda. Sometimes a toothbrush or cotton swab will help for coils and threads that are hard to clean. The attachment hub unscrews, so you can be sure to get all the splatters that creep in there. Flour and sugar can hide in the ventilation shaft, so be sure to dust for that with a hand vacuum or paper towel.

Once you have all surfaces clean and dry, lock the head in place and turn the mixer on its side to clean underneath. A damp sponge with a mild cleanser or even a paper towel should do the trick. Be sure everything is dry before you store the mixer. If the stainless steel bowl has water spots or fingerprints, you can use a stainless steel cleaner on it or a little Bar Keepers Friend (view at Amazon).

How often should you change the grease in a KitchenAid mixer?

Think about it like the grease on the bearings of your bicycle. You want to be sure the grease is sufficient to keep all the parts moving. Depending on how much use your mixer gets, most should be greased once a year. You need a few tools to undertake this endeavor: a putty knife, flat-head and Phillips screwdrivers, and food-grade grease (view at Amazon). Other products you may need in your arsenal are a container to store your screws and newspaper to cover your work surface and minimize mess.

Once you have assembled the tools, follow these steps to change the grease in your mixer, or make an appointment to have it done for you at a professional small appliance repair shop.

• Remove screws on back cover and screws holding the metal band
• Remove screws on planetary (the part that mixes ingredients)
• Remove the planetary pin and take the planetary off
• Remove remaining visible screws
• Lift the top off the mixer and expose inner parts
• Remove old grease from gears with putty knife
• Remove screws on gear tower and take it out
• Clean everything, and then put inner parts back in reverse order
• Apply new grease to all gears, surrounding area, inside cover, and any moving parts
• Put everything back together with original screws
  

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is the author of the cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread." She also reviews kitchen gadgets and other products for The Spruce Eats—so she definitely knows more than a few things about stand mixers. In fact, she's personally tested three stand mixers for our site, including one KitchenAid mixer.

This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who happily makes space for any gadget that makes cooking faster and easier. She specializes in small kitchen appliance testing and reviews for The Spruce Eats. Further updates were provided by Carrie Honaker, a restaurateur and avid home cook who knows the importance of finding the right tool for the right job. She loves her KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer for its durability and functionality. The vibrant mango color looks pretty on the counter, as well.