"Maintenance" Posts

Always Use the Genuine Part

The KitchenAid mixer parts market is chock full of imitations, knockoffs, and replicas; and sometimes it’s hard to know which ones are OK and which ones are not. The safest course of action is always to get the genuine factory part from a trusted supplier. Sometimes this may cost a little more, but it works out in the end because the part will last longer and quite often work better. Here’s an example: the “sacrificial” worm follower gear used in…    more →Always Use the Genuine Part

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. Where to buy: most items with retail part numbers (beginning with “K” or a number) can be found by searching on KitchenAid’s web site. Another good place to look is Seneca River…    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

The Movie Star

You may have seen this mixer on TV, or in a video on the Internet.

“I’ve always wanted a blue mixer…”

It’s easy enough to buy a cobalt-blue KitchenAid mixer these days, but the color is really hard to find in older models. The KSM90 “Ultra Power” tilt-head was the first of the cobalt-blue machines; it was made as an “exclusive” for Williams-Sonoma. They’re findable on eBay, but frequently command a premium, even when sold “for parts or repair”. Even harder to find is the cobalt-blue bowl-lift model (K5SS). Seller-refurbished ones are selling on eBay for close to $500 (roughly the…    more →“I’ve always wanted a blue mixer…”

The Cake Machine

This machine (1997 K45SS) was in excellent overall condition, requiring only routine maintenance. Unfortunately, the head lock lever was bent in transit (the mixer tipped over and landed on it), but that was easily resolved with a replacement latch mechanism while the lower gear case cover was off. The owner had retrofitted the mixer with the 5-quart glass bowl. They were less than completely happy, though, because the bowl would only fit on the machine in one orientation, with the…    more →The Cake Machine