When it comes to countertop kitchen appliances, the KitchenAid brand is practically the “go-to” option when it comes to stand mixers.
Why?
It is one of the most durable consumer items you will ever purchase with its metal construction and it comes in 15 different mixer types with a massive range of color options including limited editions.
For those who are heavy bakers, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer comes with 14 different attachments and makes being in the kitchen a breeze. With this said, KitchenAid Stand Mixers are on the pricier range and so many consumers want to know one thing:
How long do stand mixers last? While many of the KitchenAid Stand Mixers have a one full year warranty, the brand stands behind their products, noting that they will last at least two-five years. However, many consumers report their KitchenAid Stand Mixers lasting 10-25+ years with proper maintenance and care.
Do KitchenAid Mixers Have a Lifetime Warranty?
The KitchenAid Stand Mixers come with a “One Full Year Warranty” which is classified as a hassle-free replacement warranty in both Canada and the United States.
With the hassle-free replacement warranty, if the stand mixer fails within the first year of ownership, KitchenAid will deliver an identical or comparable replacement to you, free of charge.
The original (failed) stand mixer will be returned to KitchenAid and the replacement unit will be covered by their one-year limited warranty. This is not a lifetime warranty.
What Does This Hassle-Free Replacement Warranty Cover?
- Delivery of a replacement to your door,
- An arrangement for the return of the failed appliance,
- A guarantee on the replacement product for one year.
KitchenAid will not cover or pay for any of the following;
- The stand mixer breaks when used in a non-single family home
- Incurs damage as a result of misuse
- Breaks/needs repairs due to the mixer being used with non-approved KitchenAid products
- Requires replacement parts or labor for a stand mixer that is operated outside the country of purchase.
*It is important to note that each individual product comes with its own warranty conditions, so always check the warranty documents before buying to know exactly how long your warranty will be.
Can You Extend Your KitchenAid Stand Mixer Warranty?
According to the service plans portion of KitchenAid’s website, you can extend your coverage by up to five additional years. The one-year plan comes in as low as $14.95 and can cover common problems like the product not powering on, the mixer not spinning, or the mixer head not locking into place.
The additional years of coverage will protect you after the limited manufacturer’s warranty period subsides. For stand mixers, the service plan is for the motor only and covers labor costs as well as reimbursement based on the product’s original price and age.
What Can I Do to Make My Stand Mixer Last Longer?
While KitchenAid stand mixers are known for their longevity, there are a few precautionary steps that you can take to help make it last longer.
- Do Not Ignore the Manual! While it is very tempting to pull your new KitchenAid stand mixer right out of the box and ogle at it, do not forget to read the owner’s manual. It will contain the instructions on how to properly use it as well as any precautions you should take to ensure that it has a long lifespan.
- Clean After Use. Always clean your KitchenAid stand mixer after every use and make sure to always remove attachments first and separately clean them in a mixture of warm soapy water. Any excess water and soap should be wiped away and the entire appliance should be left to air dry before being stored away.
- Only Use Compatible Attachments. The fantastic thing about KitchenAid stand mixers is that they come with numerous attachments for various tasks. While you can use older attachments on newer models, it is highly recommended that you only use attachments that are compatible with your mixer. Incompatible attachments will lead to a reduced performance and may reduce the lifespan of your appliance.
- Speed Up Slowly! You always want to increase the speed at a gradual pace. Operating your stand mixer at top speed right off the bat can cause permanent damage to both the motor and the gears of the mixer.
- Pay Attention to Bowl & Beater Clearance. Maintaining a proper distance between the bottom of the bowl and the beater is important to keep the stand mixer functioning correctly. If you have too much distance, your mixing capabilities will be less efficient, and too close may cause you to scrape the bottom of the bowl.
- Prevent Overheating. Reduce your mixing time whenever possible so that you aren’t using it for prolonged periods of time and allow your mixture to rest between periods of use. Other than this, always clean your mixer after every use.
- Warm Your Mixer Up! If you go a long time without using your stand mixer, the lubricant will solidify under cooler temperatures. Warming the mixer up will allow the lubricant to freely move through the mixer again. Run the machine for a few minutes and adjust the speeds before using.
- Re-Grease It Annually. For the gears to work efficiently, they need grease to move past one another. Over time, this grease will become dirty and ineffective. Have your stand mixer re-greased at least once a year.
How Can I Tell How Old My KitchenAid Stand Mixer Is?
The easiest way to figure out how old your KitchenAid stand mixer is through the serial number. This number may be located right on the appliance but is also listed in the owner’s manual that comes with the appliance upon purchase.
Once you have the serial number, do the following.
- Take a look at the second letter in your serial number, this represents the year that the KitchenAid appliance was produced. If it is a “J” then your KitchenAid stand mixer was produced in 1991, while “K” represents 2000 and “L” represents 2001 and so on.
- Next, the first two numbers that appear after your “year produced” letter will tell you the week of the year that your product was manufactured. You will need a calendar for this part so that you can narrow the week down. For instance, if the serial number read “L52” then the product was produced in 2001 during the last week of the year.
If you do not want to go through the above process yourself, you can always log into the KitchenAid website and find out how old your stand mixer is by using their support tab. Here are the steps for this.
- Log into the KitchenAid website and click on the support tab. Choose the contact us option.
- You will be met with a contact form. Find the “Kitchen Electrics/Countertop Appliances” option from the drop-down menu and click it to add it to the subject line.
- Click on the product or product category and choose stand mixer.
- Enter your stand mixer’s model number into the model number box. This can be found in the owner’s manual where the specifications are listed or on the bottom of the appliance.
- Enter the serial number of your mixer, which is also found in the owner’s manual where the specifications are listed or on the bottom of the appliance.
- State that you want to know the date of your mixer within the comment box. Input your email address and hit the send button. A KitchenAid associate will contact you with the corresponding information.
Common KitchenAid Stand Mixer Problems
Common problems that you may come across include:
Oil leaking from the gearbox. This can happen if the grease becomes separated either from overloading the mixer with heat, not using the mixer often enough, or the mixer hasn’t been re-greased in a long while.
Beater blades hit the bottom of the bowl. This happens when the beater blades need to be readjusted in their alignment.
The mixer will not start. This can happen if the motor is overheated or if there is an electrical issue with the electrical breaker or the GFCI outlet.
Other symptoms can include: the mixer not sounding right, the mixer not turning off, tilt head mixer issues, springs missing from beater shafts, missing speeds, electrical sparking or smoking, and beater/bowl issues.