Top Tips on How to fix a KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Our kitchen appliances are often among our most prized possessions. They make life so much easier and literally enable us to do things in a fraction of the time they would’ve taken long ago. But, wear and tear, and just plain aging, can have you wondering whether your prized machine is still working like it should. The KitchenAid is a must for any kitchen, and when it starts to clog up, then it’s time to give it some love! Here are some tips and tricks on how to get a KitchenAid stand mixer working efficiently again.
There are some telltale signs that your mixer is not working properly anymore. This includes improper mixing (i.e., some ingredients are still on the bottom of the bowl even though the mixing should’ve been complete), the head no longer locks in place when you try and tilt it backwards, and there are scratches on the bottom inside the bowl, indicating that the utensils are actually scraping it.
Why is my KitchenAid not working as it used to? (The “dime test”)
When you find that your mixer is just not as efficient as it used to be, then try this neat little trick, but ONLY if you have a metal bowl. Attach the flat beater and put a dime on the bottom of the bowl. Next, set the mixer to the lowest speed. What you want to see is the dime moving slowly around the bowl, only half an inch or so each time the beater passes over it. A continuous movement of the dime means the beater is too low, while zero movement means the beater is too high.
Fix the height of KitchenAid beater.
If your beater passes the dime test then it is set to the correct height and no adjustments are necessary. But if it needs adjusting, then it’s as simple as turning a little silver screw. However, before you do any work on the mixer, always unplug it for safety reasons!
How to remove the screw?
A common misconception is that the screw should be removed for adjustment. This is not true. It only needs adjusting. Here’s how to locate the adjustment screw: first remove all attachments. Then, for tilt-head models, tilt the head back. Right in the center (where head and body meets) you will see the screw.
How to adjust the screw.
Once you have located the adjustment screw, then fine-tuning it is super easy. To decrease the height/clearance (i.e., to lower the head), turn the screw clockwise (right). To increase the height/clearance (i.e., to raise the head), turn the screw anti-clockwise (left). After you’ve done this, do the dime test again. Make only quarter turns at a time so that you don’t add or remove too much clearance in one go. Keep on readjusting and testing like this until you have the desired height.
The procedure is the same for bowl-lift models, except that the screw itself is located elsewhere. First, lay the mixer down backwards (preferably on a towel or cloth to prevent scratches and slippage). Then, the screw can be found where the head and body of the mixer meet.
Replace KitchenAid pieces
Sometimes it is necessary to replace some of your KitchenAid’s parts. One of the most common reasons that a KitchenAid doesn’t turn on is because the carbon motor brushes have worn out. It is completely normal for them to wear out over time, and luckily, they are super easy to replace yourself. You just need a large screwdriver or even a coin.
As always, before working on it, unplug the mixer. On each side of the mixer head is located large black plastic cap that covers the motor brush. Turn it anti-clockwise to remove, and the motor brush will come out on its own since it is spring-loaded (so be careful that it doesn’t fly out). Also take note on which side (usually top left) the beveled edge of the motor brush is when it comes out so you’ll fit the new one right way around. When you have removed the old motor brush, replace it with a new one. Do this on each side of the head, and your mixer will be as good as new!
