KitchenAid Mixer Question

[hooverwheelaway]

So, last year, Robert and I got a fabulous turquoise KitchenAid mixer from Macy's as a valentine's day present.

 

We got to talking when I was using it last weekend to make cookies, that it would be fun if we put a white cord on it... so we ordered the cord and it arrived this week.  In replacing it last night, I took the sliver band off of the mixer (later realized I didn't really even have to do that) ... anyways, when I took the band off, there was a rather abnormal amount of grease underneath it, that appears to have somehow leaked out of the main gear housing. 

 

I wouldn't think this is normal, and am wondering if it's causing any harm -- or going to cause any harm, and if it's something we should be worried about?

 

See the pictures; any advice would be appreciated!

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Picture 2

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Picture 3

 

All done!  New cord!

 

We also added the glass bowl shortly after we got the mixer ... really makes the mixer *pop*.

 

[Unimatic1140]

Try this dear...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[petek]

That's a very well done video. I think anyone could follow it and do their own repair with little trouble.
You're right, the white cord does look better.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I've had my KA mixer since the mid 80's.  Never had a leak yet, but the plastic coating on the beater is cracking and peeling away for some reason, age I suppose.  The video is easy to follow, I might have to do this someday.

 

 

[autowasherfreak]

Love you mixer Fred, I just have the plain boring white, LOL.

 

 

[launderess]

Can't Help You On The KitchenAid

But my Kenwood has been known to ooze grease now and then.

Have never fretted, just wiped it away and got on.

Methinks these things are that well lubricated at factory to last a lifetime. However depending upon conditions on the ground (as it temperature), the "oil" may shift about from time to time.

Any item with gears and or motor is going to require some sort of lubricant. Don't think many housewives, bakers or cooks would take to a routine that called for opening the thing up and applying grease.

It's like sewing machines. Early models required oiling at almost every usage. Later models were greased up at the factory and rarely required topping up afterwards.

 

[kevin313]

In the ten years that I've had my KA, I've never noticed any grease leaking, but I have an old Sunbeam Mixmaster that has leaked a little.

I love, love, love the color of your mixer! Fab-O!!

 

[hunter]

wow!

Laundress, another person with a Kenwood!!

 

 

 

[petek]

Speaking of Kenwoods here's mine on Youtube. I had an email from the grandson of Mr. Woods and he told me that back in the early 60's his grandpa came over to Canada to begin marketing them and even sold them door to door in and around Toronto
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[hooverwheelaway]

I was moreso wondering why it did this after only being a year old? It just seems odd.. that a brand new product would fail so quickly.

Or maybe this is what KitchenAid quality has become?

 

[rp2813]

Fred,

After finding my 70's K45 (pre-solid state) mixer at Savers recently, I did some research on line trying to determine its age.  I found many, many posts and comments that stated the Hobart-made mixers are superior to those manufactured after Whirlpool took over. 

 

KA states that the so-called "plastic gears" are history, and that all mixers they've been turning out for the past few years have all metal gears again.  I think your mixer is still one of the best made machines on the market.

 

Perhaps your turquoise one sat as inventory for quite a while before purchase.  As stated in the video, non-use can also lead to separation of the grease.

 

[austinado16]

That is one sharp looking mixer, especially with the chord and glass bowl!

 

[tolivac]

In the owners manuals of the Kenwood based mixers I have they say slight seepage of grease from the mixer is normal,esp when its new or if its been run for a long time.For sewing machines-remember there are more moving parts in them than a mixer-and those parts have to move in proper "time"like in a motion picture projector-for it to operate properly.You may find your residentual grade sewing machine will need more oiling than usual when you use it for very long periods of time at once.Sewing machine oil does evaporate more easily than other oils-so-if the machine has been sitting unused for a long time-its oil may have evaporated.Commercial sewing machines have an oil sump pan under the machine-you fill it with a couple quarts of sewing machine oil.A perculator type indicator on the machine head(the oil should be popping up in the indicator like a coffee perculator)or its oil level is too low.These machines have an oil pump in them to circulate the oil to the parts that need lubing-the "perculator"indicator shows the pump is working and the oil level is correct.I have set up some of these with a dealer.Its shipped dry-the oil in a can or bottle to be added to the machine sump after its been installed at the location its to be used.and of course residentual sewing machines with the lube points pointed out on the machine or its users manual.