KitchenAid Mixer Mixup
I have been in the market for a new stand mixer. I have been a KitchenAid guy for around 15 years and mine finally gave up the ghost. I have been going through much deliberation and research concerning which mixer to get. I am mostly a bread baking kind of guy; heavy, dense breads of whole or near whole grain bread flours. I have heard many things about many mixers and had a chance to try others. I think I am going to stick with KitchenAid, but whilst reviewing all the information on the various mixers, I kept coming across a strange comment with the newer Pro 600 Series of mixers. There was allegedly a problem with the gear housing. Apparently even though the gears are metal, the gear housing was made of plastic and under heavy strain, could fail and cause the gears to become disengaged.
Rather than believe the comments I read online, I decided to contact KitchenAid myself and find out what’s what. A rather nice woman told me that yes it was true, the plastic gear housing could fail. She also told me that the problem had been resolved in the latest production line. I asked her which models were the newer corrected models. She said models with the numbers KP26M1X– and KP26M8X– had metal gear housings (the “–” stands for the color code). She said one would have to check the model numbers carefully before buying as KitchenAid couldn’t know which retailers were selling which models.
Why not recall the mixers you might ask? Good question. First, this problem only happens under heavy strain on the gears when making dense breads, large batches of same or using certain attachments which demand a considerable amount of power. As such, most users of these mixers will never have a problem. Cookies, cakes and even simple breads will never cause that much strain. Second, given that no one has been hurt and this problem doesn’t present a danger to anyone, why would a company point out a flaw that had been fixed.
Personally, I would have been more proactive about it, but that is the difference between large corporations (Whirlpool) and small business minded people like me.
Anyhow, if you like KitchenAid and want to buy one of the large 6qt Professional 600 Series mixers, check your model numbers and buy with confidence.
I will soon be posting an article on Stand Mixers and we will discuss all the details relating to this and other concerns.
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My husband just bought us a kitchen aid coffee maker and I love it, its about time I can wake up to a cup of coffee at the perfect temperature.
Wanted to get a kitchenaid mixer for years, because I love to bake. I decided this was the one! I love it!It’s Great…easy to use, mixes everything perfectly and cleans up easy too. I’m really enjoying everything about it.
my mother always buys the best kitchen aids that she can find on the market “
kitchen aids have a variety of different appliances that can help you cook your food easier .”
Thanks for the information. I just bought a Kitchen Aid Pro 600. I realize you wrote this nearly a year ago, but I noticed the odd numbers this year too and started digging. Strangely, they are still selling the mixers with the plastic housings. Fortunately, mine has a “good” number because like you I am a bread baker and heavy loads of dough would be the end of a lesser made mixer.
The new part made of metal part #8212396 is available for between $10 – $20 and it replaces the bakelite (plastic part) #8211779
Easy
Thanks for the input Craig, good to know. You are more ambitious and brave than me, I wouldn’t crack that baby open and fix it, but there are probably many like you who would want to know this option is out there.
Kitchenboy