KitchenAid mixers are reliable kitchen helpers but just like any machine, they require regular care for them to continue running smoothly.
Signs That Your Mixer Needs to Be Adjusted
Your stand mixer is adjusted at the factory so that the flat beater just clears the bottom of the bowl. If, for any reason, the flat beater hits the bottom of the bowl or is too far away from the bowl: you can correct the clearance easily.
- The beater hitting the side of a bowl lift mixer means that the bowl has not been adequately snapped into place, even though it may appear level.
- Ingredients on the bottom of the bowl not being incorporated means the beater is too high.
- Tilt-head not locking into place means the beater is too high.
- The white flat beater is chipping on the bottom or the beater hitting the bottom means the beater is too low.
- Due to the nature of glass manufacturing, the clearance will be slightly different, and adjustments should be made without the dime until satisfied with the mixing performance. Source: KitchenAid
Tips For Prolonging Your Mixer’s Lifespan
While your stand mixer is a technical marvel, it still needs TLC to help it stand the test of time. Here are some ways you can extend its life.
Use it frequently before the warranty expires: Don’t buy this to only have it gather dust in a storage cabinet. Use your mixer frequently, especially in the first couple of weeks to make sure there are no defects.
Prevent overheating: While your mixer has the auto shut off option when it overheats, it’s better you avoid this and any damage to the motor or gears.
You should give your machine frequent breaks while mixing, particularly when you’re making thick dough or batter at high speeds. Also, adjust the speeds and reduce the mixing time if possible.
Let the mixer warm up after prolonged non-use: If you haven’t used the stand mixer for some time, let it warm up first without adding any ingredients. Run the machine for 1-2 minutes, and adjust speeds while at it. This allows the inside lubricant to properly flow through the gears and ensures no unwanted metal-on-metal grinding.
Ensure beaters are at the correct height: It’s not just your machine’s motor you should worry about. Make sure your beater or dough doesn’t scrape the bottom, or sides, of the mixing bowl. This could damage your beater, scrape your bowl and make your mixer vibrate. Worse still, it can also lead your machine to overheat or grind the gears.
Keeping your mixer clean: Wipe away food particles from areas like the attachment pin and springs that can easily get clogged with food residue. Clean the exterior with water and mild soap.
Clean the attachments well after every use so that food particles don’t stick to the machine the next time you mix batter. This ensures your mixer’s performance and reduces wear and tear. Source: Mom’s Baking Co
The Bottom Line
Most KitchenAid mixer issues don’t mean the end of your machine; they just mean it’s time for a DIY tune-up. Noises, drips, overheating, weird speeds, or poor mixing are all problems you can tackle at home with basic tools and inexpensive parts. Grease it, tighten it, replace worn parts when needed, and your mixer will keep cranking out bread, cookies, and birthday cakes for decades. Source: AppliancePartsPro
If you don’t have a KitchenAid repair center near you, then allow Better Care Appliance Repair to do the job instead. Just give us a call and we’ll handle your stand mixer problem as soon as we can!