Rich Siegel

Whirlpool Cost Reductions I: Pinion Drive Bearings

In the decades since Whirlpool first acquired the KitchenAid mixer product line from Hobart, they’ve made a few cost reductions. Here is one: the pinion shaft bearing, which transmits energy from the motor shaft to the main gears. Of note here are two specific changes: the first is that the alignment pin is now cast into the bearing housing itself (top). Originally (bottom) the casting had a hole in it which accepted a dowel pin (visible on the right-hand side)….    more →Whirlpool Cost Reductions I: Pinion Drive Bearings

Troubleshooting: Mixer Won’t Turn On

Introduction Most of the advice here applies to tilt-head K45-type models (Classic, Artisan, Ultra Power, etc but not the Artisan Mini or Accolade) and K5-type bowl-lift models (K5SS, KSM5, KPM5, KSM50 and their relatives). These models are distinguished by plastic motor brush covers (one on either side of the upper motor housing) and a round rear cover secured by a screw at the top. If a “Pro” series model (KG25, KV25, KP26, and similar) or Accolade won’t switch on, you…    more →Troubleshooting: Mixer Won’t Turn On

Care for Tilt-Head Models

Here are some tips to help keep your tilt-head KitchenAid mixer in dependable working order. Keep it Clean After each use, unplug the mixer. Then clean it thoroughly using only a soft damp (not wet) cloth and very light pressure. If there’s anything sticky that won’t wipe off easily, you can use a little dish soap on a damp sponge, but take care to keep water out of the mixer, especially around the lever slots. Clean everywhere, including the back…    more →Care for Tilt-Head Models

Compatible Bowls and Accessories

Here are lists of compatible bowls and accessories (beater/dough hook/whip), grouped by model type. Model number designations refer to the label underneath the base of the mixer. These lists are formatted as tables; the left column is the item number, which you can use for a web search. K45-type Tilt Heads This list is for any tilt-head model which has a round rear cover secured by a screw at the top. This includes the original K45, K45SS, KSM90, KSM150, and…    more →Compatible Bowls and Accessories

“Pro” Series Clean and Re-grease parts

This applies to all “Professional” and UK “Pro Line” bowl-lift mixers (“Professional 5 HD”, “Professional 5 Plus”, “Professional 6”, and “Professional 600” in the US, “Pro Line” and “Artisan” in the UK) and the Accolade 400. The series model numbers for these machines begin with KG25, KV25, KB26, KD26, KP26, KL26, and KN15. (This list is inclusive but not comprehensive. KitchenAid has a lot of different model numbers for what is essentially the same mixer inside.) If you are going to DIY this job,…    more →“Pro” Series Clean and Re-grease parts

K45/K5 Clean and Re-grease Parts

This applies to all tilt-head machines (original K45, “Classic”, “Artisan”, “Ultra Power”) except the Accolade and Artisan Mini, as well as the older bowl-lift machines in the K5 series: K5A, K4SS, K5SS, KSM5, KPM5, KSM50, KSMC50S, KSM450, KSM500 (and similar). Any full-sized mixer with a round rear cover secured with a small screw at the top center is applicable (note that this does not include the vintage 4C/3C/3B models). If you are going to DIY this job, you will need the following items: If…    more →K45/K5 Clean and Re-grease Parts