It’s a little-known fact that KitchenAid mixers not only make your cooking tasks easier but can also turn your kitchen into something resembling a cooking show. Dough flying, delicious aromas in the air, and a hint of professional chef wafting through the airways.
With the various attachments available for purchase, you can whip up some fancy sauces, homemade pasta, and even desserts with ease. With all the options available it can be hard to decide how to use KitchenAid mixer attachments the best, and most productive, way.
There are several ways you can use your Kitchenaid mixer attachments, but let's first start with the benefits of using the attachments vs doing it by hand.
What are the Benefits of Using a KitchenAid Mixer Attachment?
For starters, it's a lot easier. While attachments can cost a bit of money, they make your life so much easier. Not to mention, they'll save you a lot of time in the kitchen.
But there are more benefits of using attachments than just ease and efficiency. For example, you can make things you never thought possible. The precision of the attachments allows for a process to be repeated much more reliably. Mixing a batch of buttercream? You can use the same speed every time.
Kneading dough becomes commonplace and consistent if you use the right dough hook attachment.
Now that the benefits have been laid out, let's dig more into how to use KitchenAid mixer attachments for maximum impact in the kitchen.
How to Use KitchenAid Mixer Attachments for Baking
As discussed above, if you're looking for a way to take your cooking skills up a notch, you can't go wrong with a little extra help from your mixer.
I love to bake, sometimes there isn't time to do everything I want to.
Kneading dough by hand, creaming butter and sugar, and mixing up batches like pancakes can be difficult and time-consuming. It's easy to make a mistake and end up with something that isn't quite as good as had been hoped for.
This is the beauty of the KitchenAid mixer when it comes to baking. Here are five tips to get you started on how to use KitchenAid mixer attachments:
Tip 1: Figure out which attachments you need
It's easy to get lost in the thought process of more. When investing in tools for the kitchen, however, it's better to make sure you only get what you need to help save space and reduce clutter.
For baking, most people are going to want at least these three attachments:
- The flat beater/paddle attachment is great for cakes, frostings, quick breads, and cookies.
- The dough hook will come in handy for, you guessed it, kneading dough.
- The wire whip helps with meringues, angel food cake, and whipped cream.
The most popular attachment among bakers is the paddle attachment, as it allows you to mix large quantities of batter quickly and easily. For best results, use the paddle attachment on the low setting when mixing light batters such as cake or pancake batter.
For denser batters such as bread dough, you can mix on a higher setting without worrying about overmixing.
To use the paddle attachment, simply attach it to the mixer and place the appropriate amount of batter in the bowl. Turn the mixer to the desired speed and let it do its thing. Voila! Again, perfect consistency and a uniform result every time.
We regularly use our KitchenAid mixer for making our cakes and cupcakes. At this point the question isn't how to use a KitchenAid mixer for cake, it's how would we survive without it!
The mixer saves so much time, energy, and effort that it's amazing. It can be set and diligently work while everyone is freed up to work on something else. It is a true lifesaver.
Tip 2: Read the Recipe Thoroughly Before Beginning
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how often people start cooking without reading the recipe all the way through. By reading the recipe in its entirety, you'll know what ingredients are needed and can gather everything together before beginning to mix.
The risk when using the KitchenAid is overdoing things. You can over-knead bread dough and then you're left with a problem. The machines are powerful; it can be easy to do a little too much.
So, take a few extra minutes to read the recipe in its entirety before starting. This will help you understand what's needed and when.
Tip 3: Know Your Machine (Make and Model)
All mixers are different, so it's important to get to know yours. The KitchenAid mixer is a workhorse in the kitchen, but that doesn't mean that it can do everything.
There are several different KitchenAid models available and there are specific attachments that are compatible with each of the KitchenAid mixers. Be sure to double-check that the attachment you're using is the right fit for your machine. If it's not, you run the risk of damaging both the attachment and your mixer.
Nothing is worse than getting a new toy and having it not work.
KitchenAid mixers come in two main styles: the tilt-head and the bowl-lift. The main difference between the two is how the bowl attaches to the mixer.
The Tilt Head
The tilt-head model has a knob on the side of the mixer that must be lifted to attach or remove the bowl. The advantage of this design is that it's easier to add ingredients while the mixer is running.
The Bowl Lift
The bowl-lift mixer has a lever on the side that must be raised or lowered to attach or remove the bowl. This design is sturdier and allows for more heavy-duty mixing, but can be a little more difficult to use when adding ingredients.
Knowing which style you have will help you understand how the attachments work and which ones may work
Tip 4: Use the Correct Attachment for the Job
Just as all mixers are different, so are the attachments. Be sure to use the correct attachment for the job. For example, don't try to use the dough hook to whip cream. It won't work and you'll probably end up with a mess.
Another thing to consider is the finish of the attachment. Stainless steel, burnished metal or nylon coated? For 95% of the people, the nylon coated is going to be fine. Unless the mixer is really seeing a lot of use - like commercial levels - the nylon coated options will hold up just fine and most of the time are more reasonably priced.
Tip 5: Don't Overdo It
This is probably the most important tip of all. Don't overdo it! The KitchenAid mixer is a powerful machine and, if used correctly, can save you a lot of time and energy. However, if used incorrectly, it can be a disaster.
For example, when mixing bread dough, don't over-knead. This will result in a tough, rubbery dough that is difficult to work with.
Another thing to consider is the speed at which you're mixing. Start on a low setting and gradually increase the speed. This will help prevent ingredient splatter and make it easier to control the mixer.
By following these simple tips, you'll be able to get the most out of your KitchenAid mixer and attachments. With a little practice, you'll be whipping up gourmet meals in no time.
If you're looking for a way to take your cooking skills up a notch, consider purchasing a few KitchenAid mixer attachments.
These attachments can, and will, make your life easier. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to get the most out of your KitchenAid mixer and attachments.