A KitchenAid® classic mixer is a bit of an iconic kitchen appliance. It is a stand mixer that features a large stainless steel mixing bowl attached to the mixer, with a single beater in the center. KitchenAid® makes many other stand mixer models in addition to the classic series, but this classic mixer is one of the most common and versatile, with a wide range of optional accessories.
The mixing bowl that comes with the KitchenAid® classic mixer is 4.5 quarts (4.25 liters), advertised as being able to hold eight cups of flour. That is enough flour for three loaves of bread in one batch. The mixer features ten different mixing speeds, and the head tilts up for easy removal of the bowl and attachments for cleaning.
A KitchenAid® classic mixer may be available in a number of different fun colors, but white is the most common. The included mixer attachments include a dough hook, a flat beater, and a wire whip. The dough hook may be used for mixing and kneading doughs for breads; the flat beater may be used for mixing batters or virtually anything that needs to be mixed; and the wire whip is used for whipping items such as egg whites, cream, or mayonnaise. A brief recipe book is included as well.
In addition to the included attachments, there are a number of optional attachments for a KitchenAid® classic mixer. These include a pasta maker, ravioli maker, ice cream maker, sausage stuffer, pasta roller or cutter, citrus juicer, food grinder, and a fruit and vegetable grinder, among others. Each of these may be purchased individually, though some are sold in packs by KitchenAid®.
For those who enjoy cooking and baking, and do so frequently, a KitchenAid® classic mixer can be a great choice. There are some downsides, however. First, these kitchen appliances are fairly expensive, and each attachment is an extra cost as well. Another downside is the large size.
A KitchenAid® classic mixer is 14 inches (35 cm) high and 12 inches (30 cm) deep, so it uses a large footprint on the counter. Its bulky size makes it difficult to take out of a cupboard and put away, so most people choose to leave the mixers out on their counters all the time, which is something to keep in mind before purchasing one for a small space. For a tiny kitchen, a smaller, more portable mixer might be a better choice.