When we made bread dough in our original tests, we examined the crumb on the loaves of bread to check for an even distribution of air bubbles, signaling that the dough was mixed and aerated sufficiently. Kneading can be a lot of work, which is why so many bakers turn to a machine to do the laboring for them. A machine won’t only do the manual labor, but it will also limit the mess as you don’t have kitchenaid artisan to spread flour on the counter to work the dough on that surface. Kneading is commonly called for in bread recipes, and it is quite demanding of the machine. However, kneading as a metric is rather narrow, so this analysis accounts for just 15% of the model’s total rating. Given the high speeds and sturdy platform of the Artisan, we found the automatic slow start-up function to be quite useful.
No matter what speed the mixer is set to, it will start at a low speed before slowly ramping up. This delay gives the user time to adjust the speed setting before the bowl contents are thrown across the kitchen. The mixer also has a splash guard, but we found it to be ill-fitting. However, it is better than nothing for high-speed mixing kitchenaid pasta wet ingredients. KitchenAid stand mixers usually stop spinning because of a failed worm gear, and this video explains how to fix the problem at home. Dodge the previously inevitable powdered sugar snowstorm with a scale and sifter attachment, or skip the constant-cleaning of your measuring cups with a marked measuring and mixing bowl.
All KitchenAid mixing bowls are dishwasher-safe, as are most of the standard baking attachments. For more delicate attachments, such as the wire whisk, hand-washing is recommended. It’s also important to clean the base and head kitchenaid chopper of the mixer after use; to do so, simply wipe down the machine with a wet cloth. Our favorite hand mixer has all the power of a regular hand mixer without a cord—so you can use it sans outlet, in any area of your kitchen.
All of the parts except the wire whip are dishwasher safe, but we found that hand washing was easy enough. This is a relatively heavy mixer (around 20 pounds), so it might be an appliance that lives on the kitchen counter. It’s attractive, and leaving it on the counter means it’s more likely to get used. The weight also means that it stays stable on the counter and is less likely to wobble its way off the counter. This machine boasts 10 speeds, and the speed selector begins with Off/0 with the first speed marked “Stir,” followed by numbers and obvious stops at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. However, the mixer’s speed can be adjusted anywhere between those numbers.
All of these mixers are 220 volts and will work on 220, 230, or 240 volts electricity. If you have your heart set on a KitchenAid, read on for some ideas about which might be the right one for you (or the lucky cook you’re shopping for). And if you’re not so particular about the brand, you’ll find many others featured in our full stand mixer ratings and recommendations. Bowl-lift styles feature a lever that cranks the bowl up to or away from the head of the mixer, which stays fixed in the downward position. These are larger, and come in a wider range of sizes, from 5- to 8-quart capacities.
All products featured on Bon Appétit are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines.