Modern KA mixers

[rp2813]

I think our webmaster's partner Fred posted a link to a clip on how to replace the grease in the planetary zone recently.  It was very educational and did a good job of step-by step instruction. 

 

If mixers sit for long periods, they may need to have the planetary re-packed.  The tell-tale sign is seepage that is easily visible.

 

[thomasortega]

Hey guys, you're both right!

It's more than obvious that no matter how the protection systems work, if they pop, they blow up, they dilatate, or they explode like a nuclear bomb of if a SOS sign starts to blink on the top of the mixer. the most important thing is that little piece that goes in front of the mixer... THE USER!

No matter how good the appliance is, if abused it's going to be damaged, that's simple as 1-2-3 and we all know that.
The density is the most important fact. 2 cups of flour and some liquid + the wrong attachment, will damage the attachment (thank god it's the first thing to break) and/or the transmition, motor, etc.
the same 2 cups of flour but with lots of liquid (less density) is OK, even if we choose the wrong attachment. (It's going to make a mess maybe, but won't hurt)

I overloaded my KA mixer with Nescafe sugar and water. The overload lasted less than 5 seconds because I could hear the different noise and reduced speed imediately. Most of the users hear the different noise and the machine loosing speed but don't care.. they just increase the speed to try to compensate. or even worse, they wonder

 

[mixfinder]

Let me adjust my glasses so I can see the screen.

Kitchenaid manufactures mixers specific to Costco, QVC and a few others.  The bulk of the attachments fit these mixers but just a little research will reveal the units are slightly different than the ones you find in a department store.  It can confuse owners trying to find parts, service and attachments for their mixer when the model and serial number don't pop up at parts sites and sometimes even Kitchenaid.  In the early 90's, the commercial arm of Kitchenaid mixers, Hobart, had a version of the K5 available with a visible reset button, heavier grounded cord, aluminum paddle and hook and these mixers received NFS certification for application in health care and food service.  If burdened for a long enough period, the mixer might stop and after it cooled sufficiently the reset could be pushed allowing the mixer to operate again.  These models cost an average of $250.00 more than home units offered at department stores. At that time there was an exodus from using the expensive NFS machine when an over the counter model could do the same.  On those machines, the motor was still a typical Greeneville issue.  When the Epicurian was launched it was the first model with a flatter bowl and wider paddle and all are equipped with an imported motor.  All Swedish motors have had thermal protection from day one and none of them had an external reset at that time.  If it burned through it required disassembly to repair.  The service issues with these mixers seldom come from the food service industry because most bakers and trained staff are aware of how to use them and what the limitations are.  If one did their do diligence there is documentation of angry owners with a "dead" 40 pound boat anchor they had spent several hundred dollars to buy.  From 2006 to 2008 internet sites including the Kitchanid forum were flooded with complaints of gear case cover failures, mixers that stopped mid recipe and leaking oil.  Stories of "plastic" gears began to abound and the din of frustrated customers finally reached Kitchenaid's ears.  In commercial Hobart mixers a corkscrew doughhook was always available as an upgrade to the more typical "C" hook.  It rolls the dough and does a slightly beter job of pulling dough away from the edges of the bowl.  Kitchenaid began to offer the spiral dough hook on the Pro series in 2008.  In an effort to sell more units Kitchenaid specifically advised owners not to use the spiral hook on models not designed for it.  A retaining clip was added to the beater drive to prevent upward pressure and more stress on the gearing in the planetary drive by using a spiral hook.  I used a spiral hook on the earlier models without an issue and again, I was not one who ever had a complaint about fuses, gear covers, plastic gears or mixer failure.  The composite gear cover and the worm gear were both replaced with metal parts which did and does make the mixer louder.  All metal began to appear on the boxes and in marketing.  Regardless, machines still fail and customers still complain.  In October of 2010 Kitchenaid officially closed their forum and open discussion with Kitchenaid representatives ended.  The forum now directs you to a group on facebook.  Costco does not show a wide bowl or 6 quart platform mixer and again the 5 quart models sold there are specific to Costco.  Several years ago the original Greeneville machines were replaced at Costco with the Swedish motor.  If there are no visible black brush covers on the side of a Kitchenaid mixer it has the newer designed motor.  The mixer made with imported motors is far less expensive for Kitchenaid to manufacture and rolls off the assembly line faster that the original design.  As evidenced in the picture I posted the Pro series is a total plug and play with just 4 screws giving you access to the motor and gear box.

In some cases it felt like Kitchenaid was less than forthcoming and the customer got shafted.  I worked the forum long enough to know there were shills and plants for other brands as well as hard heaeded owners who insisted what they thought or heard about the mixer should simply become fact because they had so stated.  Kitchenaid changed the gear box grease to an oderless and tasteless food safe material in the 2000s.  Some say this causes the leaking down the beater shaft and others conjecture the cork and composite seals are of lesser quality which allows the oil to leak.  If you run the mixer long enough to warm the contents it becomes more evenly viscous and less apt to drip.  Kitchenaid's answer is to run the mixer once a week for 5 to 10 minutes.  If you own a dripping mixer it is easy enough to wipe up the grease and use the mixer regardless.  If you follow the directions for replacing the gear box lubricant and use Kitchenaid branded gear grease you have solved nothing because the grease will separate once warmed and then allowed to sit for long periods of time.  Feelings and perceptions are all valid as they have basis in one's own experience.  However, facts is facts and they are harder to shout down.

 

C Hook on the white Pro6 and spiral hook on the black Pro6

 

[mixfinder]

In Action

C Hook

 

[mixfinder]

Really in Action

Spiral Hook

 

[thomasortega]

Something wierd happened.

Bug maybe?

more than 50% of my post simply dissapeared after the preview and before the post.

 

[mixfinder]

The Real Answer

You are absolutely right Thomas.  Each appliance has it's own voice even with in the same brand and model.  Hear a different pitch, noise or smell something acrid is the moment to stop the machine and find out what the person behind the controls needs to change.  I would make a wild guess most of here can tell you how many pairs of jeans are in the washer or how full the bag is in the vacuum by simply listening. 

 

[petek]

Thanks for all the pics Kelly..

A couple of months ago now on the Canadian Home Shopping channel they were featuring iirc the Epicurean model as their "deal of the day" with extras like a second bowl blah blah blah. I remember checking on the web while it was on and it looked to me like that model had been discontinued in the US.. Though I could be wrong. It just got me to thinking that perhaps they were just trying to flog off mixers that they now had in overstock for some reason or another? Does that sound feasible.

I always get a laugh watching the KA segments on the shopping channel with one of the hosts "Richard" . Oh gawd how he can blather on and coo and come up with endless reasons why you should buy whatever it is at the moment. The KA rep is usually this short little woman chef named Meagan and the two of them are good for a laugh as she struggles to attach something or cranks the mixer up and drowns out Richards cooing etc.

 

[mixfinder]

Canadian Kitchenaid

Pete, you have touched on a whole new issue with Kitchenaid being manufactured in the US for the Canadian market, again with different features and model numbers.  Canadian service on the units isn't as well covered as the US with fewer repair outlets and no Canadian mixer can be serviced at an authorized repair outlet in the states.  Conversely if you buy an American Kitchenaid product and cross the border it voids the warrantee.  Owners sit screwed on all sides without being able to get the product working in a way that feels acceptable to them.  The major Kitchenaid appliances are the same but magnified by 10 because of cost, installation and having no working fridge or range can be a real drag after the second month.   It is whole other kettle of fish to flame the forum and internet sites with unhappy Canadian owners. The Accolade which had a short manufacturing run was finished out on the Canadian market but for the most part appliances are the same machines except they cost 50% more in Canada than in the US.

There was a segment on QVC showing the new Kitchenaid toaster.  Meagan has bread in one side of a 4 slicer which is in the process of toasting and the indicator showing how long it will be until the bread is toasted.  Then she puts bagels on the other side.  The lever will not remain down and half the toaster is not working.  After several attempts she says, "this one is unplugged so lets move over to the red one."

 

[nmassman44]

Here are a couple of pics of my KitchenAid Mixer that I bought in 1985. I spent I think about $200 for this mixer at the time. The best mixer I have ever had.

 

[nmassman44]

side view...yep its a Hobart!

 

[nmassman44]

another shot

 

[sudsmaster]

Costco and KA bowl size

If I'm not mistaken, Costco no longer offers either the five quart or six quart KA mixers. Instead, they have a 5.5 quart model, which I suppose my be unique to Costco, I don't know. It looks like a five quart to me, go figure.

As I recall, the Epicurean has metal gearing but the gear housing is plastic. Might be why it is quiet. The 5 qt HD Pro claims to have "all metal construction", however, I have not peeked inside to see if the gear housing is plastic or metal. As I said before, the ring gear on a planetary gear set shoulders most of the load, which is why KA may have been able to get away with plastic gear case housings. But I suppose if one is intent on mixing a batch of tennis shoes in a home mixer, anything can and will fail.

Oh, and the 5 qt model also has the burnished attachments and the spiral dough hook. The Epicurean has the older powder coated attachments as well as the C hook design. Not a big deal to me.

Of course, if one wants the absolutely "perfect" kitchen, one might want to procure one of these beasts. At 1100 watts, and 20 qt capacity, it probably could keep a small restaurant kitchen mixing it up indefinitely. And, it's "only" $1500!!!

PS-For me the perfect kitchen is the one that keeps one's family and friends well fed and happy. And a simple hand mixer can do that.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...ang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10598-Cat56625&topnav=

 

[mixfinder]

I stand Corrected

I am sure you're right Rich.  I don't have a Costco membership but it sticks somewhere in the recessess of my dementia there is a 5.5 bowl.  You are so absolutely right in stating the happy kitchen is one filled with food, friends and laughter.  The whole of us are so much tuned to the nuance of every appliance we touch it stands to reason our opinions and defense of what we like and believe in would be vigorous.  I purposely choose recipes and cooking styles that use more appliances, tools, pans and steps because cooking is to me what 18 holes of golf would be to an avid sportsman.  I do a lot of baking for service events and used to cater and own a small bakery.  To that end it is nice to have a stand mixer and walk off and let it cream for 10 or 15 minutes.  I love to own and try every appliance brand there is old and new.  As Pete has shown us if you can afford and have the space to store several mixers each one can be put to it's best and highest use.  My pathology requires that the appliances I own all be from one manufacturer, the glass and cups in the cupboard be a matching set and the pans be of one brand.  I currently have a Frigidaire range with a GE fridge and dishwasher that niggles the back of my mind.  I won't sit still until I find a GM fridge.  I converted from total Sunbeam to Kitchenaid in 2002 and filled the blanks with a few Cuisinart products.  After feeling like a fool for all I did for Kitchenaid I purged the house of everything but a few vintage machines and now I am back to all Sunbeam.  I cut my teeth on a Sunbeam, spent two days in a hospital bed with a Sunbeam to play with as a little kid, learned how to repair them and I love the old familiar sounds of the mixer,  how coffee smells perking, the high pitched whirl of the can opener, the quiet rush of the blender, the way the lights gleam on the chrome waffle iron and watching the toast silently disappear and then magically reappear in the T-35.  I am comforted like being surround with old friends.

 

[tlee618]

Kelly, what a beautiful display!!!

 

[mixfinder]

Easy Come

I bought these pans pictured in the last post and worked until I fleshed out the set.  Then Sandy McLendon joined the group and wanted to sell his Farberware Advantage.  I sold these pans and sent him $600.00 and waited about 2 months and they finally arrived.  I still have most of those giving one of each pan to a friend in Oregon who likes to shine cookware.  I bought a Sur la Table pan from ebay and loved it.  Now I have 4 pieces and keep telling myself its alright not to purge and match.  Terry, I could be retired living in

the house next to you in Florida if I would have saved all I earned and not worried so much about matching.  But oh, how I love to scrub, polish and harvest the gleam.

 

Sur La Table

 

[foraloysius]

Interesting Kelly that the Classic is one of the best offers. I should have grabbed one a while ago (before I bought the compact Bosch), it was on sale in a wholesale store. I didn't get it because I thought the Artisan model might be better. Ofcourse there are differences between the European and the American models (especially voltage).

Kenwoods are widely available here ofcourse. They often turn up at auction sites, but as soon as one appears the bidding war starts, even on the real old ones. And now and then a KitchenAid shows up, but those are very expensive here so people want an arm and a leg for them.

 

[hunter]

I have a Kenwood Major

I bought in the early 1990s because I wanted something larger than a 6 quart bowl.  It has performed pretty flawlessly over the years.

 

Interestingly enough, my motor DOES have the  reset switch, but it is green!  I wonder if this motor is made in Japan, though, as there's a pictorial representation of the mixer, with its 'arms crossed' frowning, saying 'no!' I have often seen such pictures on goods from Japan. (Though this could have been for the Japanese market, who knows?)

 

It does leak oil a bit every now and then, but it doesn't seem to have hurt it.

 

While in UK I saw  the Kenwood that would cook was cool (it had an induction heater in it) and the video on youtube showed someone making stew in it.  Definitely a niche market.

 

 

 

[petek]

I'm not too fussy when it comes to pots and pans matching. We have one mediocre set which suffices but I have a plethora of different frying pans in different sizes, types etc. Seems like whenever I see a nice looking frying pan on sale I end up buying it. Probably the worst frying pan coincidentally that I've ever had was a KitchenAid branded one,long gone now and I don't even remember if it was teflon or ceramic inside,, just that it was a blue one and something about either the teflon or ceramic all cracking and coming off so I tossed it. Fortunately I only paid half price which is when I usually buy them.. never full price lol.

 

[rp2813]

Hey Mike, I like that maroon/brown colored band on your mixer.  What model and wattage is it?

 

Here's a comparison shot of my basic Hobart K45.  No Hobart ID on the band or any precautionary verbiage, just a straight-forward mixer.  The Hobart information is in the bowl base on the pedestal.