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Customers have noted that this machine is quieter than other models because of its 275-watt motor but reported that it can still handle tough dough. This model will also help keep your countertops clean with its soft start feature, designed to prevent flour from getting thrown out of the bowl as it mixes. Electric hand mixers are best used for light batters or frostings where you want to incorporate a lot of air, and it doesn't take a lot of mixing to bring the ingredients together.
This commercial-grade mixer tops our list for its high capacity and premium quality. If you do a lot of mixing in one session, consider getting a second mixer bowl. You'll find that doing swap-and-wash cycles during bake sale prep and other high-volume production days is really helpful. Also in the 5-quart-line is the KSM152PS, a custom metallic model with a pouring shield and the same accessories as the KSM150PS. We determine the purposes for which each model we test would be most effective.
Classic™ Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
With 10-speed settings, it powered through cake batter, bread dough, and whipped cream with perfect results. The handy tilt-head makes it a joy to use, and it was easy for me to add ingredients and switch out attachments. We've put together a number of how-tos for making the most out of your KitchenAid stand mixer. KitchenAid makes more than two dozen different attachments that expand the versatility of your machine and let you make everything from zoodles to sausage to ice cream and more. Most of the attachments operate from the "hub" of the mixer — the portion underneath the metal disk on the top front of the machine. Since all KitchenAid mixers have this hub, almost all the attachments are compatible with every KitchenAid model in our guide.
Among the KitchenAid line up, it sits between the Classic and the Artisan, with the same 4.5 qt. Bowl capacity of the Classic, but a few extra color options and a bump up in motor of 300 watts puts it closer to the Artisan. Keep in mind that technology changes, so it's never a guarantee that a small appliance like a KitchenAid stand mixer will be forever compatible with modern home wiring or safety specifications.
What to Look for in a KitchenAid Mixer
If you plan to work with dense mixtures, any bowl-lift is the best KitchenAid® mixer for kneading dough that’s tough like multi-grain bread. Choose a stand mixer based on how much and what kind you want to make, and don't forget your bread bowl with a lid for proofing and rising. The KSM3311X comes in five colors, has a brushed stainless steel bowl, and includes a flat beater, wire whip, and dough hook.
KitchenAid offers four types of stand mixers to cover a wide swath of budgets and needs. Individual series are distinguished by the capacities of their mixing bowl, from 3.5 to 8 quarts. Ultra-sturdy bowl-lift stand mixer raises the bowl to the beaters for efficient incorporation. Can transform into a culinary hub given its compatibility with 10 optional attachments.
Artisan® Design Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
It also has a nice soft-start feature that gradually introduces speed and power as opposed to starting mixing at full force. Our tester Molly found that the smaller motor kept up with the bigger appliances she's tried and had the added bonus of being quieter. We've also trialed smaller stand and hand mixers in the range, all of which make the cut. KitchenAid has more than 10 motor attachments that work with all of its stand mixers. These include a juicer, food processor, spiralizer, and pasta roller, among others.
Larger capacity stand mixers are best for bakers who want to share their creations or make multiple batches at once. And finally, KitchenAid® bowl-lift stand mixers can fuel even the most ambitious baking goals. The smallest of KitchenAid stand mixers, this model is the perfect size and strength for occasional bakers, new cooks, and those with petite kitchens. We tested some of the attachments available for KitchenAid stand mixers in our BestReviews lab. In fact, some could even serve as replacements for separate appliances.
Artisan® Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
There are also helpful accessories available, such as pouring shields, pouring chutes, and covers. Its 1.3-horsepower motor is more than enough power for large or small batches, but you don't have to worry about the motor overheating. Several reviewers also report that it operates more quietly than previous KitchenAid models they've owned.
Along with being a lovely item to display on any countertop, the KitchenAid stand mixer is a multipurpose appliance for prepping meals and sweets. It has a ton of features like an adjustable 5-quart stainless steel bowl and 10 speed settings, so you can knead, mix, and whip your ingredients as you please. This model also includes three different attachments including a flat beater, spiral dough hook, and wire whip.
The Professional and Artisan Series have identical price points, so in general, the decision can come down to whether you prefer a tilt-head or a bowl-lift style, and of course color. However, during sales, we often see better promotions on the Professional over the Artisan. For instance, during this holiday season, the Professional came with a nifty $200 discount, while the Artisan only offered $100 off. Once you have assembled the tools, follow these steps to change the grease in your mixer, or make an appointment to have it done for you at a professional small appliance repair shop. The home appliance brand also features illustrated instructions of each step below, as well as more details about different models and accessories. Get commercial-style touchpoints with a taller profile, wider base and study arms.
Comes with a polished stainless steel bowl, dough hook, flex edge beater, and wire whip. You will likely be able to find one of the best hand mixers for cheaper. A KitchenAid® stand mixer is the ultimate tool to help you elevate your everyday making this year—and for many years to come.
(Your grandma's toaster or microwave may still work, but it might not necessarily be safe.) While your stand mixer might not become a family heirloom, you should get many years of use out of it. While it shook a bit when I made bagel dough, it was never overly noisy and I didn't feel like I had to babysit it for fear of it walking off the counter. That said, I don't think I would make multiple batches of bagels in a row to avoid overheating the mixer's lower-powered motor.
This appliance will help you conquer your favorite holiday recipes from chocolate mousse to freshly baked breads. You can see some of her work in our guides to the best flower delivery services, the best pillows, and the best sous vide machines. Measuring just over 11 inches wide, the Mini is about 25% smaller than our best overall pick.
