Where's The Mixer Guru When You Need Him?

[rp2813]

Mind you, I'm not gearing up to track him down.  Besides, the world's foremost mixer expert is most assuredly busy mixing up a skyload of goodies for the many who have gone before us, so it's best not to interrupt him in case he's in the middle of a command performance.

 

I guess we've all been left to scrounge for advice from the more temeritous among us, so I'll get things started with a question that stems from a thrift store purchase I made today. 

 

At Goodwill I found what appears to be a never used stainless KA mixer bowl made to fit model KSM150 (or at least that's what's on the base of the bowl -- along with "made in Korea" :-&#92) for a whopping $5.49.  On line research indicates it's a 5-quart capacity, but is interchangeable with a 4.5 quart, which is the standard size on "entry level" models such as the K45. 

 

It's deeper than a 4.5 quart bowl, but I'm not so sure about wider.   I just eyeballed it.  My question is, do I need to use a different sized flat beater or will the original one on the K45 work?  I'm thinking that if I use this new bowl as the main one, I might reduce the chances of dry ingredients flying past the rim as/after they're added.

 

Perish the thought of filling a pair of enormous shoes.  Nobody can, so don't let that stop any of you mixer buffs from stepping up. 

 

 

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, assuming you already bought it for the outrageously high price of $5.49, why not try it in your mixer? If the tilt head isn't obstructed and the beater makes a reasonable attempt at sweeping the interior of the bowl, it sounds like it would be good to go.

I'm tending to think it's just an extra capacity bowl for the 45. I've seen similar variation with the lift bowl mixers - such as a 6 qt model sold with a 5.5 qt bowl. A 6qt bowl will fit it just fine. Presumably KA did this to fill a price point for retailers like Costco - where it wouldn't technically compete with higher priced 6 qt models found elsewhere.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Rich.  I'll give it a . . . whirl.

 

This bowl has the molded grip in the handle, apparently the type that's used on the "Artisan" and other high end models.  I noticed that the spot weld or whatever it is at the bottom of the handle creates a bit of a bump inside the bowl.  Probably not a big deal, but it's much less noticeable at the top of the handle. 

 

There's nary a scratch inside the bowl from use, so I can't imagine why it ended up getting tossed/donated.

 

[mixguy]

KA bowls

The KA bowls: the 4.5 qt satin brushed, the polished with flat handle, and the 5 qt polished molded handle are all interchangeable to fit KA K45, Artisan, Classic Plus, and Ultra Power models. There is also a 3 qt bowl that I would think is good for whipping no more that 4 egg whites or a small batch of brownies

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Russell. 

 

I tried the bowl on my K45 and the flat beater works fine with it.  It's taller than the 4.5 quart bowl though, and that means I can't store attachments in the larger bowl and keep everything covered with the "tupperware" lid like I do now, due to reduced clearance for the motor head and attachment mounting post.  

 

Not a big deal.  I'm storing the larger bowl in a nearby cabinet.

 

[mixguy]

Stacking bowls

I like being able to a "handleless" 4.5 bowl in a taller 5 qt for storage myself. I like using the non-sealing plastic lids to cover when dough is rising or being stored in them. The "made in Korea" bowls are not as heavy as the older made in the USA bowls. These Korean bowls will rust it scratched also.

 

[rp2813]

Stacking

That's exactly what I'm doing.  I had a no-handle 4.5 quart as a spare in that same cabinet, so I'm not taking up any more space than I was previously, other than that of the handle on the 5 quart bowl.

 

[tomjensen]

Mixer Paddle for Kitchenaid

I like this. http://www.target.com/p/beaterblade...sku=12061615&gclid=CNP2t9ja4rkCFZRj7AodDEMAfA