KitchenAid stand mixer leaking oil

[justjunque]

Hey all.

Man. I haven't been around for a while. I've been preoccupied with health problems.
Hope everyone's been good.

I don't know how big of a problem we have with our mixer.
I used it to whip some potatoes for supper today, then walked away to go eat.
My better half was doing some kitchen clean-up after supper, and discovered oil leaking out of the head of the mixer.
Has anyone else seen or experienced this?
Any idea if it's a big problem or not?
It's a lower end Artisan model, and we've had it for about 16 years; although it's seen very little use in that time.
Also, I'm not a DIYer. It's going to have to go to a repair guy.
I was just curious if anyone knows what is likely wrong with it.

Thank you.
Barry

 

[114jwh]

Kitchenaid Mixer Leaking Oil

It looks like its actually grease that has separated into liquid from either heavy use or, probably in your case, too little use. Lots of info online on how to repair this yourself. Messy job but not too complicated - there is a video linked below that goes through the procedure step by step. Workaround so it doesn't happen again is to run the mixer every so often to keep the grease mixed and prevent it from separating. You'd need to get the specific food grade Kitchen Aid grease to replace it.

Good luck!

 

[jeb]

Kitchen aide mixer

I would guess after 16 years the grease is separating. I just regreased 2 before Christmas. Very easy (but a little messy)job. Just remove a few screws, take out all the old grease(the messy part) repack with new grease, (I would replace the seal)put back together. Kitchen aid has the grease packed in a can with the correct amount so you don't even have to measure. Can be ordered on line and at your house in 2 days. Mine was so bad the grease had solidified and broke off in solid chunks. In doing research before regreasing I found out they recommend ,if you can, leave on your counter plugged in and run it 30 seconds a week if it does not get much use to stir up the grease. I believe this is true because the one I had in storage unused for years did what yours is doing. The one I use all the time the grease got hard but did not leak.

 

[iheartmaytag]

You should run the mixer for at least a few minutes each week to keep the grease churned up, and the seals lubricated.

 

If you don't want to, or feel like a DIY, you can send it back to Kitchenaid, and they will totally recondition the unit very reasonably.

 

 

 

[justjunque]

Thank you all!

I'm relieved to know that it's not something terminal, and that y'all were able to tell me exactly what the problem is!
After watching the attached video, I almost wish I was more of a DIY type.
Nice to know that KitchenAid will recondition it. And reasonably!
I don't know if I'll attempt it myself, but it's nice to know what's going on with it, and that I have options!
Thank you all again!

Barry

 

[louvac]

Here's the deal

Hey Guys!

From a KA rep.....KA mixers are packed with 3 times the amount of grease which should last the life of the mixer. Don't worry--the grease is food grade and will not harm anyone should it drip by chance into a batter or dough. The mixer only needs 2 oz. of grease but it actually holds 6 oz. (3 x 2 oz.). It is packed with 3 times the amount it needs to operate. This is a common problem with all KA mixers and the way to eliminate it is to run the mixer for 2 minutes on high speed once a month. There is a gasket that should be replaced if you are going to do it yourself. But, from what the consensus is here, if KA will service it reasonably well then it's worth it to send it back to them and let them do it. My aunt had to send hers back for service a few years ago and KA did a great job. The machine is working perfectly to this day.

By the way, Consumer Reports did a segment on mixers a few years back and the model that did a fine job was the Classic model and received a very high rating. Which goes to show you that you DON'T need a super expensive model to get the job done. My aunt who is constantly baking and cooking has a Classic model and it has been all that she ever has needed. All mixers are capable of using all the available attachments. It has nothing to do with power!

Remember, no mixer handles all mixing tasks perfectly. For certain things I prefer my Sunbeam Mixmaster with offset beaters, and for other jobs I like the KA. And, how you take care of it will also impact how well it will serve you.

 

[askolover]

I have no idea how old my Hobart KA mixer is but it's still kicking!

 

[tomturbomatic]

 I will go home and run mine. I am sure it thinks I died about a decade ago. Thanks.

 

[tomturbomatic]

No oil out of the 45; 3 drops slung out of the 4C and into the bowl, but no more.

 

[mixguy]

I had a K 45 SS

I had a harvest gold K 45 SS that I used for 35 years. I replaced it with a refurbished chrome model 10 yrs ago. To fix the old mixer would have cost at least $100+ I thought it better to invest in a new mixer and donated the old mixer for parts, the field coil and armature needed to be replaced. I kept the old wire whip, dough hook, and bowl. The old recipe/instruction booklet of the old mixer is better than what is packed with the new mixers today.

 

[dermacie]

I use mine quite often several times a week I would guess and I have owned it for over 20 years. Every once in a while I think of buying a new one.