Kitchenaid Stand Mixer - Favorite or Most Used Attachment

[Mrs. Ciz]

I have a Kitchenaid stand mixer that I don't use that much for baking, but I know it is very versatile. I want to start using it more often and thought maybe I'd invest in the shredder/slicer attachment. How do you use your mixer? Which attachment is your favorite or most used attachment?


My mixer has one small issue that I am either going to get fixed or fix myself for $8.00 and a Youtube video. I bent the speed lever when I tilted the mixer to the side to clean under it, and it slipped and hit the tile backslash. Now the lever won't stay in the off or lower speed slots. It starts at speed 5. I have to hold the lever at speed 1 when I plug it in and slowly advance it forward or it will fling all my ingredients out of the bowl.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Have you tried using the pasta making attachment? Also, would you have use for the meat grinding attachment?

 

[disneychrista]

I actually use it most for baking. Cookie dough, bread, etc.

 

[_19disnA]

Kitchen Aid is a great stand mixer and use it often for all kinds of baking or bread making. It is FAR more powerful then any prior bread maker I have ever owned. Those tiny twirling blades on bread makers didn't do a very good job of kneading the dough compared to the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid.

Did recently buy a new mixer blade that has the rubber scrapper attached to it. Kitchen Aid sells they own version of this since I saw some poor reviews of the blades made by 3rd parties. Works great and eliminates the need to stop and scrap down the bowl during mixing.

Don't own any of their other pricey attachments. Unless you plan to use them often, don't see they are worth what they cost.

 

[disneychrista]

Did recently buy a new mixer blade that has the rubber scrapper attached to it.

I had this attachment and loved it. But unfortunately after a few years the rubber started to break down and became "sticky." I finally had to throw it away.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

I had a Sunbeam mixer for years and I absolutely loved it, but it sprouted some sort or mold inside the motor while I had it in storage after my divorce and for the price of getting it serviced I could almost buy a new one so I bought a new Kitchenaid. I'm still getting used to it, some things I like and others I don't, and I'm unhappy about the quality of the beaters since I had to drop $30 on a replacement paddle when I dropped the original one on the tile floor and the white coating cracked and busted off. Why can't they just sell it with stainless steel attachments?!

I'm really interested in the ice cream bowl attachment. Does anyone here have it? I really want it but there are mixed reviews everywhere. I have no need for most of the attachments because I already own appliances that do that job for a lot less money--I have a pasta machine and a spiralizer and I don't need to grind my own meat.

 

[kleph]

I have used the pasta maker attachment to middling success. The simpler forms work best but some of the more detailed ones are tough to work with. Also, cleaning it is a pain. That said, the fresh pasta is really a delight. I am withholding my final verdict until I can determine how much of these issues are due to my pasta recipe.

I also had the meat grinder attachment. Unless you are straight up making ground beef, this isn't super helpful. To successfully grind meats for, say, sausage, the meat has to be super cold. Since the grinder is plastic, it doesn't hold the temperature well. You want a metal grinder that can be frozen. Also, my attachment broke when I tried to get partially frozen meat through it.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Have you tried using the pasta making attachment? Also, would you have use for the meat grinding attachment?

I probably would never use the meat grinder attachment unless it became impossible to buy ground beef. It did cross my mind at the beginning of the pandemic when ground beef was scarce, but the stores have it now.

Kitchen Aid is a great stand mixer and use it often for all kinds of baking or bread making. It is FAR more powerful then any prior bread maker I have ever owned. Those tiny twirling blades on bread makers didn't do a very good job of kneading the dough compared to the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid.

Did recently buy a new mixer blade that has the rubber scrapper attached to it. Kitchen Aid sells they own version of this since I saw some poor reviews of the blades made by 3rd parties. Works great and eliminates the need to stop and scrap down the bowl during mixing.

Don't own any of their other pricey attachments. Unless you plan to use them often, don't see they are worth what they cost.

I have one of the scraper blades! My sister sent it to me a few years ago. I use it the most!!

I had a Sunbeam mixer for years and I absolutely loved it, but it sprouted some sort or mold inside the motor while I had it in storage after my divorce and for the price of getting it serviced I could almost buy a new one so I bought a new Kitchenaid. I'm still getting used to it, some things I like and others I don't, and I'm unhappy about the quality of the beaters since I had to drop $30 on a replacement paddle when I dropped the original one on the tile floor and the white coating cracked and busted off. Why can't they just sell it with stainless steel attachments?!

I'm really interested in the ice cream bowl attachment. Does anyone here have it? I really want it but there are mixed reviews everywhere. I have no need for most of the attachments because I already own appliances that do that job for a lot less money--I have a pasta machine and a spiralizer and I don't need to grind my own meat.

I don’t own any other kitchen gadgets except for a blender that’s on its last leg. That’s why I’m considering the grater/slicer. I used to have a Salad Shooter grater/slicer but it broke years ago. Also saw a food processor attachment. I wonder how good it is?

Years ago I coveted the pasta maker attachment, but it was so expensive. Honestly I’m confused about all the different blades. Some sets come with one, some with 5. Do you use all of them? Is there a beginners set? Haha! Would I even use it???

 

[FigmentSpark]

There are two different pasta attachments. One goes on the grinder to push the dough through holes on the end and the other is more traditional - roller and then the cutter.

 

[kleph]

There are two different pasta attachments. One goes on the grinder to push the dough through holes on the end and the other is more traditional - roller and then the cutter.

I have the "push through" one.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

There are two different pasta attachments. One goes on the grinder to push the dough through holes on the end and the other is more traditional - roller and then the cutter.

Yes, I saw the two different types. And then within the roller/cutter type, there are different sets - a 2 piece set, a 3 piece set, a 5 piece set, a roller you can buy individually. I think some are just the cutters, and some include various cutters and the roller.

All the versions are expensive.

 

[wenrob]

I had a Sunbeam mixer for years and I absolutely loved it, but it sprouted some sort or mold inside the motor while I had it in storage after my divorce and for the price of getting it serviced I could almost buy a new one so I bought a new Kitchenaid. I'm still getting used to it, some things I like and others I don't, and I'm unhappy about the quality of the beaters since I had to drop $30 on a replacement paddle when I dropped the original one on the tile floor and the white coating cracked and busted off. Why can't they just sell it with stainless steel attachments?!

I'm really interested in the ice cream bowl attachment. Does anyone here have it? I really want it but there are mixed reviews everywhere. I have no need for most of the attachments because I already own appliances that do that job for a lot less money--I have a pasta machine and a spiralizer and I don't need to grind my own meat.

It must depend on the model you have because the paddles on both my DD’s KitchenAids (she is a Baker so we have gone with the heavier duty pro models) are stainless steel, no coating.

She had the ice cream maker but after the first couple of uses the novelty wore off and it was too much trouble to go to. She ended up giving hers away when she moved.

As far as the grater attachment if you keep your mixer out on the counter it may be worth it. We kept hers stored in the cabinet (appliances on the counter make me crazy) and so it would have been a pain to pull it out to use for that. We use a Salad Shooter.

I always wanted to get the pasta attachment but we just never got around to getting one.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

My favorite thing to use with it is the dough hook. Yeah it's kind of cheating because it comes with it. But for my money, it's really THE reason to buy it instead of a much cheaper model. Now it does a lot of things very well and even better than other mixers such as cakes, mashed potatoes, nearly everything you'd need. But not so much as to justify the cost imo. But it is the dough hook that really separates it from the cheaper models. Take that bread machine and throw it out the window. You'll never want to use it again.

Mrs. Cruz. The repair is very tedious because there is a lot to take apart to get to that speed lever. But each step is EZ and straightforward. And the thing is, some of those screws may be square head so you'll be running out and buying a square head driver if you run into them. Or you may not. It all depends.

 

[queenofthehive]

I mostly use the mixing paddle. I do have the zoodle attachment kit but honestly, it is too much work to drag it out, set it up and clean it. It was about $80. But seriously, the little manual zoodle gadgets you can get in kitchen gadget section for $5 is whole lot easier and makes zoodles just as good for heck of a lot less work. Yes, I agree that keeping the mixer on the counter will make you use it so much more. That thing weighs a gazillion tons!
I use my mixer all the time for mixing meatloaf, shredding chicken, sausage balls, cookies, cake mixes, pizza dough and breads. I hate mixing ingredients by hand and the mixer makes things so much easier.
Just a suggestion a bit off topic- get an immersion blender if you don’t already have one. It makes cooking easier as well.
Yes, I am a lazy cook.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Yes, I saw the two different types. And then within the roller/cutter type, there are different sets - a 2 piece set, a 3 piece set, a 5 piece set, a roller you can buy individually. I think some are just the cutters, and some include various cutters and the roller.

All the versions are expensive.

There may be other attachments for other sizes and sometimes you see a ravioli one, which has squares on it.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I mostly use the mixing paddle. I do have the zoodle attachment kit but honestly, it is too much work to drag it out, set it up and clean it. It was about $80. But seriously, the little manual zoodle gadgets you can get in kitchen gadget section for $5 is whole lot easier and makes zoodles just as good for heck of a lot less work. Yes, I agree that keeping the mixer on the counter will make you use it so much more. That thing weighs a gazillion tons!
I use my mixer all the time for mixing meatloaf, shredding chicken, sausage balls, cookies, cake mixes, pizza dough and breads. I hate mixing ingredients by hand and the mixer makes things so much easier.
Just a suggestion a bit off topic- get an immersion blender if you don’t already have one. It makes cooking easier as well.
Yes, I am a lazy cook.

Shredding chicken???!!! That is brilliant!! I usually do it with two forks and am in agony about half way through. Please explain your process and tell me which beater you use.

My DD really wants an immersion blender. I think I’m going to get one soon.

 

[okeydokey]

Shredding chicken???!!! That is brilliant!! I usually do it with two forks and am in agony about half way through. Please explain your process and tell me which beater you use.

My DD really wants an immersion blender. I think I’m going to get one soon.

Immersion blender is totally worth it if you like to make cream soups. I love mine.

 

[Theta]

I like the meat grinder attachment. I prefer buying cheaper cuts of meat and grinding it for ground meat. Then I know exactly what is in my ground beef.

On another note, I just replaced the grease in my Kitchenaid mixer today!!!! My mixer's grease had separated and it was leaking oil. It was pretty easy to do with the instructions from youtube.

 

[queenofthehive]

Shredding chicken???!!! That is brilliant!! I usually do it with two forks and am in agony about half way through. Please explain your process and tell me which beater you use.

My DD really wants an immersion blender. I think I’m going to get one soon.

Use the paddle attachment. Put the poached/cooked chicken ( boneless of course) in the metal bowl. Cover mixer with kitchen towel because pieces tend to fly. Turn on to low speed and let the paddle shred away. Easy!

 

[barkley]

we use the meat grinder the most. we have the plastic and have had no issues with grinding meat that wasn't stone cold. i use it to do up much less expensive cuts of pork into bulk sausage that we then make into the types we like, i will occasionally do ground beef when roasts are less expensive than ground, and do lamb for a couple of dishes (impossible to find ground lamb anywhere we've ever lived).