Iconic and aspirational: the Kitchenaid Artisan Stand Mixer

One of the most aspirational kitchen appliances today is the Kitchenaid electric stand mixer. In these days of easy come, easy go, this appliance has a remarkably long history and enduring appeal. It is very often seen gracing the kitchen benches of television cooks and bakers.

The KitchenAid stand mixer has been an iconic kitchen appliance for some 90 years. The name was introduced as a brand name for an electric stand mixer that had been developed by the Hobart Manufacturing Company in 1919.

Hobart had begun producing the first electric machines for grinding foods, including coffee beans, peanuts, and hamburger patties, in the early 20th century, and in 1915, a subsidiary, Troy Metal Products, introduced the first electric mixer designed to mix large quantities quickly. , this 80 quart mixer was standard equipment for most large bakeries. It featured the unique and efficient planetary motion motor that drove an individual rotating beater. The beater traveled in one direction around the inside of the mixing bowl.

In 1919, Hobart introduced the ‘KitchenAid Food Preparer’ or stand mixer for the national market. Company executives brought home the first mixers to test in their own kitchens, and one executive’s wife is reported to have commented, “I don’t care what you call it, but I know it’s the best kitchen helper I’ve ever had.” Legend has it that this is how the name Kitchenaid was born. In 1924, the Hobart subsidiary Troy Metals was renamed the KitchenAid Manufacturing Company and its headquarters were established in Dayton, Ohio.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the KitchenAid mixer became extremely popular and, as with most appliances at the time, was sold door-to-door or through a KitchenAid party. The birth of the sale party goes back much further than we could have imagined. During the party, a vendor would demonstrate the functions of the mixer by using it to prepare a meal for guests. After the meal, he encouraged guests to order their own KitchenAid mixer.

Various attachments were developed around the same time to be used in the preparation and mixing of a variety of foods, including the curiously named pea peeler! Using the available accessories, KitchenAid stand mixers can be converted into anything from a grain mill to a pasta maker or even a sausage stuffer.

So what does this appliance offer today’s cooks and bakers? The Artisan has classic looks, high-quality craftsmanship, and is a powerful and reliable mixer built with an all-metal body. The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is generally considered the best of all food mixers, and is likely to stand out in any kitchen.

Aside from the obvious color variations, the Artisan Food Mixer looks much like any other mixer on first inspection, but this is where the similarity to lesser models ends. Weighing in at over 11kg, or 25lbs, the Artisan will require a permanent home on a kitchen bench.

That weight adds to the stability of the machine. The smooth metal body and tough outer coating ensure the Artisan mixer is built to last a lifetime. There are stories of these machines being passed from mother to daughter or left to beneficiaries in wills.

The metal body and mixing bowl are easy to clean, and the durable outer casing can withstand all but the most determined efforts to scratch it. This ensures that no bacteria can get into the case to live deep in the surface scratches, as can happen with cheaper models. Much more hygienic.

The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer has been designed overall to be as easy to use as possible. The 10-speed gearbox offers a range from 58 to 220 rpm. The mixer still features the unique and efficient planetary motion motor that ensures faster and more thorough mixing. The beater follows an orbital path around the bowl rather than the circular motion of most mixers, so the entire contents of the bowl are combined in the mixing process rather than chunks remaining around the bowl or on the walls of the bowl. the kitchen and surfaces. The large mixing bowl has an attached ergonomic handle and pouring guard. The machine’s tilt-back head design also allows easy access to the bowl. The single accessory hub is built in to make attaching accessories quick and effortless. The Artisan is so well balanced that you can effectively walk away and let it do its thing without worrying about it jumping around the bench. Despite the undoubted power of the motor, it is surprisingly quiet. For your peace of mind, it comes with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

The range of colors and finishes available will coordinate with any kitchen design or color scheme. The range includes Brushed Nickel, Caviar Black, Onyx Black, Metallic Grey, Empire Red, Candy Apple Red, Bronze, Chocolate, Cobalt Blue, Boysenberry Purple, Pear Green, Apple Green, Pink, Majestic Yellow, Cream, Cream Almond and Classic White. . .

Some points worth noting are that the colors are retired from time to time and they have varying price tags. High-end brushed nickel and trendier colors tend to be the most expensive. This is a commercial standard machine and other appliances are available and manufactured to the same exacting standards. Unfortunately, not all are available in the full range of stand mixer colors.

The Artisan is a heavyweight machine and is a considered purchase, but is it worth the money?

The machine’s iconic status, unrivaled performance and durability make a pretty compelling argument. For those who enjoy spending a lot of time in their kitchens and use a mixer often and would rather have a machine to use for years to come, then this is probably the one to buy. For many homeowners, this once-in-a-lifetime purchase was simply to fulfill their own wish and enjoy the pleasure that this high-end, iconic, durable, quality appliance brings to their lives.