Regarding countertop kitchen appliances, KitchenAid is essentially the primary choice for stand mixers.
Why?
With its metal construction and availability in 15 different mixer types, including limited editions, stand mixers are among the most long-lasting consumer products you can buy, with a wide range of color options to choose from.
Heavy bakers often seek the convenience of the KitchenAid Stand Mixer, which offers 14 attachments to simplify kitchen tasks. However, due to their higher cost, many consumers wonder about one crucial aspect:
Stand mixers typically have a lifespan of two to five years, according to KitchenAid’s warranty, although the brand assures customers that their products will last longer. Nevertheless, numerous users claim that with appropriate maintenance and care, their KitchenAid Stand Mixers can endure for 10-25+ years.
Do KitchenAid Mixers Have a Lifetime Warranty?
Both in Canada and the United States, the KitchenAid Stand Mixers are backed by a “One Full Year Warranty” that is considered a trouble-free replacement warranty.
KitchenAid offers a replacement warranty that guarantees a free-of-charge delivery of an identical or comparable stand mixer if it fails within the first year of ownership.
Upon returning the defective stand mixer to KitchenAid, they will provide a replacement unit that is covered by their one-year limited warranty, which should not be confused with a lifetime warranty.
What Does This Hassle-Free Replacement Warranty Cover?
You will receive a replacement delivered to your doorstep,
A system for the retrieval of the malfunctioning kitchen appliance,
There is a one-year warranty on the replacement item.
Any of the following will not be covered or paid for by KitchenAid:
If the stand mixer is used in a household other than a single-family home, it may malfunction and stop working.
If it is used improperly, it may suffer harm.
If the mixer is used with non-approved KitchenAid products, it may break or require repairs.
If a stand mixer is used outside the country of purchase, it will need replacement parts or labor.
*Before purchasing, it is crucial to review the warranty documents of each product to determine the specific duration of the warranty.
Can You Extend Your KitchenAid Stand Mixer Warranty?
As per the service plans section of KitchenAid’s website, it is possible to prolong your coverage for up to five more years, with the one-year plan starting at a minimum of $14.95 and providing protection against typical issues such as failure to power on, mixer malfunction, or inability to lock the mixer head in place.
Once the manufacturer’s warranty period ends, the extended coverage will provide protection for several more years. The motor is the only component covered by the service plan for stand mixers, which includes labor expenses and compensation based on the product’s initial cost and age.
What Can I Do to Make My Stand Mixer Last Longer?
Although KitchenAid stand mixers have a reputation for being durable, there are some preventive measures you can implement to extend its lifespan.
Pay Attention to the Manual! Although it may be tempting to immediately unpack and admire your new KitchenAid stand mixer, it is crucial to read the owner’s manual. This guide will provide you with instructions on how to use it correctly and any necessary precautions to take in order to extend its longevity.
Post-Use Cleaning. It is crucial to clean your KitchenAid stand mixer after each use, ensuring that you detach the attachments and clean them separately in warm soapy water. Wipe away any remaining soap and water, then allow the entire appliance to air dry before storing it.
Ensure Compatibility of Attachments. One of the benefits of KitchenAid stand mixers is their versatility, thanks to the availability of multiple attachments for different tasks. Although older attachments can be used on newer models, it is advisable to only use attachments that are compatible with your mixer to avoid compromising its performance and longevity.
Gradually Increase Speed! It is important to slowly increase the speed of your stand mixer as operating it at maximum speed immediately can result in permanent damage to its motor and gears.
Take Note of Bowl and Beater Clearance. It is crucial to maintain an appropriate gap between the beater and the bottom of the bowl to ensure that the stand mixer operates correctly. If there is too much space, your mixing performance may suffer, while being too close could result in scraping the bowl’s bottom.
Avoid Overheating. To prevent overheating, try to minimize your mixing time and give your mixture breaks between uses. Additionally, it’s important to clean your mixer after each use.
Preheat Your Stand Mixer! In case you haven’t used your stand mixer for a while, the lubricant may solidify under cooler temperatures. To ensure that the lubricant flows freely through the mixer again, preheat it by running the machine for a few minutes and adjusting the speeds before using.
Annual re-greasing is necessary for the gears of stand mixers to function effectively as they require grease to move past each other, which can become dirty and ineffective over time.
How Can I Tell How Old My KitchenAid Stand Mixer Is?
If you want to determine the age of your KitchenAid stand mixer, the most straightforward method is to check its serial number, which can be found on the appliance itself or in the owner’s manual that accompanies it when you buy it.
After obtaining the serial number, carry out the following steps.
By examining the second letter in the serial number of your KitchenAid appliance, you can determine the year it was manufactured; for instance, if it is a “J,” then it was produced in 1991, while a “K” indicates 2000 and an “L” represents 2001, and so forth.
After identifying the “year produced” letter, the following two digits in the serial number indicate the week of production, which can be determined with the help of a calendar; for example, if the serial number is “L52,” then the product was manufactured during the final week of 2001.
If you prefer not to undertake the aforementioned procedure, you have the option of accessing the KitchenAid website and utilizing their support tab to determine the age of your stand mixer. The following are the instructions for this process.
Access the KitchenAid website and select the support tab, then opt for the contact us feature.
Upon accessing the contact form, select the “Kitchen Electrics/Countertop Appliances” option from the drop-down menu and include it in the subject line.
Select the stand mixer option by clicking on the product or product category.
To find your stand mixer’s model number, input it into the designated box. You can locate this information in the owner’s manual under the specifications section or on the appliance’s underside.
To find the serial number of your stand mixer, refer to the owner’s manual where the specifications are listed or check the bottom of the appliance.
To inquire about the age of your mixer, simply indicate your request and provide your email address in the comment box before sending it. A representative from KitchenAid will then reach out to you with the relevant details.
One issue that may arise is oil leakage from the gearbox, which can occur due to grease separation caused by overloading the mixer with heat, infrequent use of the mixer, or lack of re-greasing for an extended period.
The bottom of the bowl is hit by the beater blades due to misalignment, which requires readjustment.
If your stand mixer fails to start, it could be due to an overheated motor or an electrical problem with the GFCI outlet or electrical breaker.
Additional indications may comprise: unusual sounds emanating from the stand mixer, failure to power off, complications with tilt head mixers, absence of springs on beater shafts, missing speed settings, electrical sparking or smoking, and problems with the beater or bowl.
You can also check this video about “Kitchen Appliance Durability: How Long Do Stand Mixers Last?”
