Long Guide Reviews 12 KitchenAid Mixer Attachments Uses (With Pictures!)
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If you're looking for a versatile kitchen appliance that can help you with all your cooking needs, look no further than the Kitchenaid mixer. This great appliance comes with a variety of attachments that can help you with everything from dough to shredding.
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Whether you're a novice cook or an experienced chef, knowing about all of the KitchenAid mixer attachments uses is sure to be a valuable tool in your tool belt. Many other attachments exist, but we are going to focus on the attachments that come with the mixer itself to get an idea of where you can start if you are just purchasing your first KitchenAid stand mixer.
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A few key things to think about when looking at stand mixer attachments:
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Material - the most common is nylon coated or stainless steel. Stainless steel will hold up over the long term, but it is a little more expensive. Equally important is that the material is made of food-grade quality.
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Compatability - different types of mixers may require different attachments. The two main types of stand mixers are bowl lift stand mixers and tilt head stand mixers. Verifying which will work with your machine is very important.
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Dishwasher safe - it's important to know how you are going to be able to clean the attachments. This may be dependent on materials, but most are dishwasher safe these days.
Tip: A quick word on how to use KitchenAid mixer attachments
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When you first get your KitchenAid mixer, it's important understand all of the available KitchenAid mixer attachments uses, which ones are included, and what extras you will need to buy later. KitchenAid has a lot of info on their website you can utilize to help.
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Here is a quick overview on what the attachments can do and their many uses. We go much more into detail as you move throughout the guide, but to start it off:
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- Mixing dough for bread and cakes. Several attachments exist, but the dough hook is the most common. It will help to keep the dough from becoming too dense. More info on this is below.
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- Shredding cheese, vegetables, and whatever else gets in its way. The shredding disc makes quick work of shredding cheese or vegetables for your next meal. This is a very helpful attachment.
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- The whisk attachment can whip anything you need to whip. Primarily used to whip cream or eggs for a light and fluffy texture, it will be necessary in most recipes so this one is a must-have.
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- The grinding attachment can be used on a variety of things. Commonly used to grind meat or coffee beans, this is a great way to save a little and be able to grind your items exactly as you want.
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- The slicing attachment is a master slicer. It slices vegetables or fruits for salads or other dishes. This is a very versatile attachment that can be used in many different ways.
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Let's get more in depth...
In this article, we'll answer 5 main questions:
We have already talked briefly about how to use the different attachments, now let's dive deeper into the specific attachments that come with the KitchenAid stand mixer and the benefits they provide.
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Topics to cover:
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What does the KitchenAid mixer come with? What are the 3 main mixer attachments?
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Are the included stand mixer attachments sufficient?
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What are the benefits of having a KitchenAid mixer in your kitchen?
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What attachments can be purchased separately to make cooking easier?
What attachments come with the Kitchenaid stand mixer?
The KitchenAid mixer comes with a few attachments right out of the box, including the mixing bowl, dough hooks, flat beaters, and wire whips.
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But what do these different attachments do, and what else can you get for your mixer?
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The mixing bowl is pretty straight forward so we won't go into depth on that one, but it is worth noting there are other options for the mixing bowl as well.
Click picture to see included attachments.
The three types of dough hooks
Dough hooks are a great way to help you with all your baking needs, but what is the best dough hook for what type of dough?
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KitchenAid stand mixer dough hooks are available in three different types- C-hook, spiral hook, and power knead hook. each type is designed for specific dough consistency.
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The type of dough hook you use will depend on the type of dough you're working with. Luckily, these are standard with the KitchenAid stand mixers and come with most purchases.
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Let's dig into the details...
Included: The C-hook attachment
The C-hook is best for soft doughs, like pizza dough or bread dough. This hook works by kneading the dough in a figure-eight motion, which helps to produce evenly mixed and smooth dough.
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This is one of the attachments that come with the KitchenAid mixer at the time of purchase.
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The spiral hook is best for medium-soft to medium-stiff doughs, like yeast bread, rolls, and some pastries. The secret to the spiral hook is the fact that it has a double spiral.
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This helps to mix and stretch the dough, which gives you a more consistent texture.
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The power knead hook is best for stiff to very stiff doughs, like bagels, pretzels, and certain types of pastry dough. The power knead hook is designed to knead the dough quickly and efficiently, so you can get the job done in a fraction of the time.
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These dough KitchenAid attachments will greatly increase your efficiency and accuracy in the kitchen if you decide to purchase them later. It gives the cook more options when working with various types of dough.
Additional dough hook attachments: the nylon coated spiral hook and the stainless steel spiral dough hook
Included: the flat beater
The flat beater that comes with your Kitchenaid stand mixer is great for a variety of tasks, including mixing cake batter, cookie dough, mashed potatoes, and more. If you'll be doing a lot of baking with your mixer, you may want to purchase an additional flat beater so you can have one dedicated to each task.
They are especially useful when you want to achieve a light and airy consistency in your batter, as the flat shape of the beater helps to aerate the mixture.
Several styles and types exist, but most of them will do just fine. If you are looking for something a little more durable go for a stainless steel option.
Included: Wire whip
A wire whip is perfect for whipping egg whites, cream, and other light ingredients into a frenzy. They come with your Kitchenaid mixer, but if you're looking to do more advanced baking, you may want to purchase an additional wire whip or two to have around.
This will help you achieve a lighter, fluffier consistency in your ingredients, and will make your baking process much easier. Aftermarket wire whip options are likely better suited to those who do a lot of baking and cooking. They will hold up better over time.
However, if just for personal use, the included wire whip that came with the stand mixer is likely fine.
Are the included attachments good enough?
The short answer is yes. As long as normal wear and tear is expected and they aren't being put through the wringer in a professional kitchen, the standard attachments that come with the stand mixer should be more than enough for the average person.
There are benefits, however, in upgrading.
The overwhelming opinion on an upgrade for any of the included attachments is the sentiment that while they are fine for most people, eventually you will run into durability issues. They are plastic or nylon coated and cracking and chipping are inevitable.
Stainless steel will last much, much longer but it may be overkill for many people. This is a decision each individual will have to make for themselves.
What are the benefits of having a KitchenAid stand mixer in your kitchen?
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There are many benefits to having a KitchenAid mixer in your kitchen. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can save you a lot of time and effort when cooking.
With all of the attachments that come with it, the KitchenAid mixer can do practically everything, from kneading dough to shredding cheese.
Another great benefit of the KitchenAid mixer is that it's extremely versatile. With all of the different available attachments, you can use it for a variety of tasks, from making bread to shredding chicken.
This mixer is a great addition to any kitchen, and comes with everything you need to get the job done!
Let's look at some of the other available attachments.
The 7 best KitchenAid mixer attachments not included in the initial purchase
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The KitchenAid stand mixer comes with everything one would need to get started, some great additional attachments can be purchased to expand your culinary abilities even more! Let's take a look at them.
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Alongside each mini-review below are buttons to click over to Amazon to check pricing or to check the fit guide and make sure the attachment will work with your machine.
Food grinder attachment
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This is great for grinding sausage or ground beef. With the food grinder, it's easy to make all of your favorite ground meats quickly and efficiently. Food grinder attachments come in a variety of finishes. Whether or not plastic or metal food grinder attachment is right for you will depend on your usage and requirements.
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One can also prepare healthy, delicious meals with the help of this machine. With fresh, nutritious ingredients, as well as experimenting with various tastes like parsley, garlic, rosemary and more, you may create from scratch in the KitchenAid food grinder.
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Quick note: Some of the more laborious attachments like meat grinders may perform slightly better with a bowl lift stand mixer since they are generally more powerful. Food for thought.
The pasta maker attachments
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Fresh pasta anyone?
With the pasta roller, you will be making homemade pasta in no time. Fresh pasta is hard to beat - especially when you can whip up your pasta dough in no time and don't have to knead it by hand forever.
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This KitchenAid pasta attachment is a lifesaver.
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For those real pasta lovers, there is a 3-in-1 set that includes all of the pasta maker attachments!
Pasta Press
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This press can be used for spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli, large or small macaroni. There are six quick-change discs. The pasta press and all its components are neatly stored in their storage case for easy access at any time.
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Standard benefits:
- The press is easy to assemble and use.
- You can make a variety of different kinds of pasta with this attachment.
- Create the perfect pasta dish for your family or friends!
Pasta Roller
The pasta Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixer is constructed of high-quality SUS 304 stainless steel, ensuring its safety and durability. This roller features an excellent internal gear construction design that can be a fantastic pasta roller machine in your kitchen.
The regulating knob on the roller has 8 settings and allows you to adjust the dough sheet thickness from 0.4 to 2 mm (0.016 to 0.08 in), as well as change the texture and flavor of your pasta with just a few turns. Make uniform noodles for wontons/dumplings/taco flakes, or anything else you could think of!
Standard benefits:
- Create a variety of pasta dishes.
- Make what you want, when you want it!
- Spend less time cooking and more time with friends and family.
Ice cream maker attachment
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The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker attachment has an all upgraded design built with high quality materials and a large capacity. It can produce 2 quarts of icecream or gelato in 20 to 30 minutes. It is also easy to clean and very easy to use.
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Standard benefits:
-Mix all your favorite recipes with ease.
-Create delicious ice cream in minutes.
-Indulge in your favorite frozen treats whenever you want.
-Create memories with family and friends while enjoying a delicious treat.
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Sifter and scale attachment
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This amazing attachment sifts your dry goods and weights them at the same time! It's a time saver for sure but comes at an increased cost. The reviews are outstanding for this product and it appears to be built like a tank.
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The Sifter and Scale attachment is one of the most popular attachments, as it sifts your dry goods and weights them at the same time! It's a time saver for sure but comes at an increased cost. The reviews are outstanding for this product and it appears to be built like a tank.
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Simply attach the Sifter plus Scale Attachment to the power hub of any KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Then experience hands-free sifting as the sifter gradually incorporates ingredients into the mixer bowl.
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A battery-operated scale measures ingredients by weight for a greater level of precision, which is a critical part of successful baking. The generous capacity hopper holds up to 4 cups of dry ingredients at a time and can also be used separately on your countertop with the included scale plate.
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All parts except scale and sifter housing are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and easy.
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The Sifter and Scale attachment comes with (1) Digital Scale, (1) Ingredient Hopper, (1) Removable Sifter, (1) Sifter Housing, (1) Swivel Chute, (1) Scale Accessory Plate.
A storage case is included.
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Vegetable sheet cutter
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The vegetable sheet cutter comes with or without the noodle blade which offers slightly more versatility.
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The vegetable sheet cutter is a great attachment for those who want to create healthy and delicious meals. Similar to the other attachments, it attaches to the power hub of the stand mixer.
This attachment allows you to create sheets of zucchini, apples, cucumbers, and other fruits and vegetables, which can then be used in a variety of recipes.
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The two blades on the cutter offer different thickness options, so you can customize your cuts depending on what you're making. Plus, the vegetable sheet cutter packs and organizes inside its storage case, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
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Spiralizer
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The KitchenAid Spiralizer is a great attachment that can be purchased to attach to the stand mixer. It has three spiralizing blades - medium, fine, and a peeling blade. The slicer blades are for slicing (large core) and slicing (small core).
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The slicer blades are made of premium metal and provide durable long-lasting performance. The spiralizer is packed and organized inside its own storage case, which is designed for easy access and simple storage.
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The spiralizer has a 4.7 star rating on Amazon for good reason - people love this thing.
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