KitchenAid K-45 Mixer -- How Old Is It?

[rp2813]

Logo As Indicator

Chalk it up to too much time on my hands during the current situation, but it occurred to me that in trying to figure out when the KA logo changed to its current iteration, I shouldn't limit myself to researching mixers.  Duh.

 

So I did an online search of dishwasher pictures and magazine ads, etc.  It appears that the last dishwasher KA produced with the same logo as seen on my mixer in the OP was the 15 series, which was introduced in the mid '60s.  I also found magazine ads from 1966 that showed a 15 series dishwasher but the copy of the ad included the later logo, so the transition appears to have taken place around then.

 

Based on this, I'd say my K45 can't be any later than the mid '60s unless they had lots of tilt head bands with the older style logo to be used up.  I can't say for sure when that logo began appearing.  I saw ads from 1960 with it, I think for a series 14 dishwasher, so I suppose my mixer could be at least that old.

 

[holli]

New 1.3 HP Pro model or stick with my 45 S Kitchen Aid Mixer

I;m trying to figure out if the new 1.3 hp motor will be better or same as my 45S that was my Mom's I don't know how hold it is exactly, but I know it was purchased around 1972 (+/- 2 years). It's harvest gold. The purple number on the sticker is 22979, whatever that might mean. It still runs great, but the capacity is small for bread, pasta and other dough. Thanks in advance for any help, thoughts or opinions.

 

[rp2813]

I think durability and the noise factor are the big negatives with newer KA mixers, but if you need more capacity, yes, you'll need a new mixer.  I would suggest you try to stick with a tilt-head type if there's one on the market that's large enough for your needs.  I found the bowl-lift Professional HD that we had was annoying to use.

 

Per research I posted above, I think your mom's K45 SS isn't likely older than 1979. 

 

[holli]

New 1.3 HP Pro model or stick with my 45 S Kitchen Aid Mixer

I know for a fact it was bought way before 1979. I was there when she got it. I just can't remember 1972 or 73 (related to when we moved & the new all harvest gold kitchen/ I was about 14). Thanks!

 

[lakewebsterkid]

K45

My grandparents replaced their K45 after years of hard use. I quickly grabbed it instead of them selling it. I agree that it is the smoothest and quietest KitchenAid I have ever used. Nothing beats a true Hobart KA machine.

 

[rp2813]

One thing I've noticed on my K45 recently is that when I turn it on to top speed to use the knife sharpener attachment, it doesn't always run at top speed.  I have to move the speed lever back a bit, then forward, and then it runs at full speed. 

 

I think this serves as a good argument for the solid state speed control, but it's possible that the situation could be remedied if I wanted to bother with taking a look at things under the cover.  If the issue gets worse, that's what I'll do.  In the meantime, I love using my smooth, quiet K45, particularly with the after-market bowl-scraping flat beater.  I can't remember the last time I had to scrape down the sides of the bowl myself.

 

[ovrphil]

How old is my Kitchenaid Mixer?

I posted a timeline for Hobart over 5 years ago...not searching for it, but here's a nice brochure that pegs that K45 at 1962.

I know this is nearing 10 years old for the thread, but I hope this will still be of interest.

http://www.kitchenaid.com/assets/pdfs/press/1342500_KAtimeline.pdf

 

[rp2813]

O-M-F-G!

Phil, I know it's displayed at the top of every thread, but I really had no idea that it has been TEN YEARS since I acquired my K45 until you pointed it out.  Time is flying faster than ever, like a goddamned runaway train.

 

I guess this thread must land near the top of Google search hits because it has been revived a number of times over that period by others, primarily first-time posters.   I can get annoyed by revived ancient threads as much as the next person (remember Dick S. trying to set some kind of record with his Flair thread), but I hope that with this one there has been some helpful information gleaned or dispensed as a result.

 

 

 

[ovrphil]

Flying by

Ten years! I know, it's amazing(s.o.b.,where did my last 10 years go?). Eight years ago, I found aw.org(I think, but not 10). Agreed, reviving some older threads can be annoying and I wasn't sensitive to that at first. None-the-less,the old threads come up in my searches and occasionally help me or inspire me to push on. I could have posted the Kitchenaid history as a new thread, though. Kitchenaid is so popular, the older threads can have a timeless value, information-wise.

Anyway, Ralph...enjoy your coming Christmas holiday and time off, if that's what is coming. Best wishes for happy mixing. I think it's great that you still have and use that K45, which may age, but doesn't likely show it quite as much as us mortals.

 

[louvac]

Kitchenaid Stand Mixer Model K45

Hey Guys!

I happened upon another Kitchenaid K45 250W stand mixer at the GW outlet. Was quite dirty and what I thought was scratched up paint marks turned out to be just grease marks of some kind. With some cleaning and a Magic Eraser, all of them came off and the machine is in quite good shape actually! Not bad for $3.99!!

You just have to be a little careful with a Magic Eraser as it can etch or dull painted surfaces particularly if you are too aggressive with your cleaning. Car wax will generally restore the shine pretty good.

Anyway, once I again I wanted to date this machine and once again under the neck inside, there is a white sticker--the only label bearing a number of any kind other than what is stamped on the bowl plate. The number on this one is 34376.

Now, I know there was some talk on this thread a while back a about dating these machines and I think I may have hit on something here. Ricky, sorry for never getting back to you but I think I may have cracked the code.

Many manufacturers use Julian dates in their serial numbers or for their manufacturing code. I think the one I just found boils down to this translation:
The number 34376 means that it was made on the 343rd day in 1976. Which means that it was made on December 10, 1976. Like wise, Ricky yours was made on the 95th day of 1977. Which further translates to April 5, 1977.

For manufacturers, Julian dates provided a more concise date code and were easier too read in most respects. This number on mine makes sense because it was made before 1986 when KA was still owned by Hobart. This would explain why yours, Ricky is only 4 digits and mine is 5 digits.

What do you guys think?

 

[rp2813]

Makes sense to me!  I wish mine still had a sticker.  Without one, the best I can come up with is a range of years rather than an exact date.

 

You got a great deal on that mixer, even if it didn't have a bowl or its beaters!

 

[louvac]

What does...

What does the Kitchenaid font look like? I will take a pic of mine once I finish cleaning it up this weekend. The font can be an indicator of a time period.

 

[rp2813]

Check out the picture in the OP and compare the logo to this later type that KA is still using:

 

 

[louvac]

Don't mean to be a

dumb ass but what is "OP" mean? LOL

 

[wiskybill]

not to worry...

OP usually refers to the original post or poster

 

[rp2813]

I just noticed that this thread has received over 37K views!   That averages more than ten views per day over the past 10+ years!

 

Clearly, there are a lot of inquiring minds out there wondering how old their mixers are.

 

[louvac]

Did your get

RP2318 Did you get my email?

 

[rp2813]

I did not get your email.  I don't have my address posted, so am not sure how you would have emailed me.

 

[louvac]

OOOPS!

Sorry, Ralph, I had emailed 6foot8guy. It wasn't you.

BUT, I saw your original post and I can see the KA logo is definitely different than most I have seen with this model. I would say that yours is definitely from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I like your model's graphics!

I wonder if there is any interest here in Automatic Washer for a gathering for those of us who are interested in small appliances? A small appliance convention of sorts you could say! It would be so much fun! And, actually be able to use them to produce consumables while there!

Any interest guys?

 

[rp2813]

Oh, there's no shortage of interest in small appliances here!

 

Members Kevin (kevin313) and Hans (norgeway) come to mind as two who have huge collections.  I checked if either of them have a photo album for viewing but they don't.  Kevin has a lot of his collection, most of which is cooking/baking-oriented, displayed in an old small town dime store space somewhere in Michigan.  Last I heard he was planning to open to the place to the public but I don't know where things stand at the moment.