KitchenAid mixers have been around for a long time. The KitchenAid mixers we know and love are greatly upgraded if you compare them to the first model, released back in 1919. Between now and then the company has released a plethora of mixers. Keeping track of when they were released can be tricky.
A close friend of mine was offered to purchase a KitchenAid mixer from his neighbor who was moving. The neighbor, who never used his mixer, offered the appliance at 1/4th of the retail price.
My friend had to gather his thoughts before making a decision. The only thing he knew was that the owner barely used the KitchenAid mixer and that it worked as intended when he started it. Before making a decision he called me to see if I knew how old that specific mixer was.
With a little bit of research, I found the answer and a method of telling the age of most KitchenAid products. That entire ordeal inspired me to write an article on the topic to help others who may wonder the same thing.
This is what I came up with.
How do you tell the age of a KitchenAid stand mixer?
- Visit KitchenAid’s website and Sign In to your account.
- Close to the top of the page, click the “Support” tab to open up a drop-down menu which reveals the “Contact Us” tab – click it.
- Fill in the subject matter. The most suitable subject line is “Kitchen Electronics/Countertop Appliances”
- Proceed to click on Product Category and choose “Stand Mixers”
- Provide the model number when asked to. The number can be found on the bottom of the appliance or in the instruction manual.
- Provide the serial number of the product. The serial number is located next to the model number.
- In the comment box, ask the company if they can tell you how old your mixer is based on the information you have provided.
- Provide your email and wait for a KitchenAid employee to get back to you.
That’s how you tell how old your KitchenAid mixer is, the method works for all KitchenAid products. Make sure to change the category to something more suitable for the product you have.
Is It Possible To Find Replacement Parts For Old KitchenAid Mixers?
An appliance like the KitchenAid mixer has more than a few components that may need servicing over the years. Rather than purchasing a brand new mixer once your current one starts declining, I think you should focus on replacing the malfunctioning parts.
Replacing essential parts can give new life to an old mixer. If you’re missing an attachment or happen to break one you can find replacements for those too.
Replacement parts, both interior, and exterior can be found online at:
Another alternative is to check for local small appliance repair shops. They may be able to get in contact with manufacturers who sell what you’re looking for.
I’ve been able to get parts through a local repair shop – when they weren’t available online.
According to KitchenAid, their stand mixers should last at least 2-5 years but many users report their mixers lasting 15-20 years.
How Can I Tell the Size of My KitchenAid Mixer?
Now that we have found out the age of your stand mixer, let’s take a look at its capacity. This is a simple task, much easier than finding out the age of the appliance. Besides, this doesn’t require the assistance of a KitchenAid employee.
The capacity of the appliance is determined by the bowl, therefore, we’ll have to focus on the bowl. The bowls are interchangeable so there’s no telling what size a specific stand mixer model is unless you purchase it directly from the store where the original bowl is connected to the appliance.
Of course, more often than not, the original bowl will still be connected to the appliance but you never know.
To tell the capacity of your Kitchenaid mixer’s bowl, go ahead and;
- Check the bottom of the bowl for a label
- Find the model number starting with K (The number should be something in the way of “K45” or “K4” etc.)
That’s all the information you need to determine the size of the bowl. If the label says K4 your bowl is capable of holding 4qt. If the label says K45 your bowl is capable of holding 4.5qt and so on. It’s a pretty darn straightforward procedure.
Are KitchenAid Stand Mixers Guaranteed For Life?
That’s a question well worth asking. Sadly, they aren’t. While the company seems to stand proudly behind their products, I think a lifetime warranty is biting more than they can chew.
Their standard warranty offers the user full service for a 2 year period after the day of the purchase. KitchenAid will send replacement parts, conduct servicing, and assist you with all your matters during that time period.
Taking good care of your KitchenAid mixer is essential to make sure it lasts longer than just a couple of years. When you pay close to 300 bucks for a kitchen appliance you’re going to want to use it for years to come. But once two years have passed, you’re on your own.
In my article “My KitchenAid Mixer Will Not Turn On” I highlight why users should be very careful when opening the KitchenAid mixer and replacing parts while the product is still under warranty.
Opening the mixer, replacing parts and modifying it will render the warranty useless. It shouldn’t be done unless it’s the last option.
Are Old/Vintage KitchenAid Mixers Still Available?
A lot of people seem to have this strange infatuation with vintage KitchenAid mixers. Back then, mixers were manufactured by Hobart, which is the go-to brand for commercial kitchens.
Hobart stopped manufacturing KitchenAid mixers in 1986, so any stand mixer released before ’86 should be considered a good vintage.
While these vintage mixers aren’t available in-store, they can still be found in yard sales and thrift shops. They can also be found online on eBay, Shopgoodwill, and craigslist.
There’s a high demand for vintage kitchen appliances but you can still find gems for a very reasonable price. If the price seems too reasonable the appliance may need fixing before it can be put to use.
Make sure to check if there’s something wrong with the appliance and what may need replacing before purchasing it.
What’s my favorite vintage KitchenAid Model?
I haven’t really been searching for Vintage models, they’ve landed in my lap. The best vintage model that I’ve tried is the one I got from my grandmother when she decided to move to a nursing home.
She had the K5-A and she used it as frequently as she could – the machine still lasted for more than 20 years before we had to replace minor parts. Today, the appliance works as intended and it rocks.
The appliance isn’t in mint condition and to be honest, it looks like it has been through a hard time, therefore, I’ve replaced it with a newer more attractive model.
Nevertheless, the K5-A is a great mixer, a reliable workhorse, and an appliance that never seems to overhear.
Other old KitchenAid mixers that I like to use include the following:
- K5SS
Well, the list isn’t longer than that.
Together with the K5-A, the K5SS makes vintage stand mixers stand out from the crowd.