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If you’re a fan of baking, we’re almost certain that you’ll know the name Kitchenaid. Whether you’ve spotted one in use on a baking show, or seen one in the background of a well-stocked sitcom kitchen – they’re hard to miss on TV.
Many of us have spent years dreaming about bringing a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer home with us for years. But when the time finally comes to pick out your new kitchen-based best friend, where do you start?
Kitchenaid has been trading for over 100 years and has a large range and over 7 different types of stand mixers. Are you considering going with something from their classic range? We’ve put together this review to talk you through all the high and lowlights of this product.
In this article, we’re going to talk you through everything you need to know about the Classic Stand Mixer range from Kitchenaid. Read on to see if we think it’s worth the money.
If you’re interested to see how it compares to the Artisan range from Kitchenaid – check out our article here.
We also have put together a review on the Kitchenaid Classic Plus Stand Mixer – which you can read here.
Kitchenaid – The Icon’s History
It is very rare that a company dominates its market for over 100 years, but Kitchenaid has achieved this with ease.
This has been due in part to the success of their early advertising campaigns, leading to superstars like Ginger Rogers and Henry Ford swearing by their products publicly. However, the quality of their products really should not be underestimated.
In 1919 Kitchenaid launched one of America’s first automated egg beaters, and it quickly became a national sensation. In the 1930s they partnered with a world-renowned designer to create their now-iconic K5. The K5 design has been the basis of all their products since.
Their external designs had not changed much since then until the introduction of the Artisan range in 2007. Their collection now includes a whole host of kitchen accessories and a professional range too, all maintaining that signature Kitchenaid look.
The Kitchenaid Classic Stand Mixer Review
Based on the iconic K5 design, the Classic Stand Mixer has been a staple of the Kitchenaid collection since the 20th century. Below we have broken down all the key things you need to know about the Classic range before deciding if you want to purchase one.
Kitchenaid Classic Stand Mixer
The Classic Stand Mixer is the base option in the Kitchenaid collection, this is reflected in its price, and what it offers compared to the Artisan and Professional ranges. However, this machine really does do everything you’d want an at-home standing mixer to do and more.
The options
In this article, we will be talking about the Classic Stand Mixer, however, Kitchenaid also offers a Classic Plus Stand Mixer. If you want to read more about that mixer you can check out our review of it here.
The Classic comes in a wide range of colors, like the majority of the Kitchenaid range, including some of Kitchenaid’s most iconic shades.
The Accessories
Each range of Kitchenaid Stand Mixers comes with different accessories as standard. The Classic comes with 3 incredibly useful attachable accessories.
This is a particularly good deal when it comes to the Classic range as buying these accessories separately would cost you nearly the same amount as buying the classic.
Dough Hook – This is a white-coated, stainless steel kneading hook. Please see our section on ‘The Bread Controversy’ before getting too excited by this. The hook is dishwasher safe.
6 Wire Whisk – This is the Kitchenaid classic, the 6 wire whisk is durable and can cope with mixing up almost anything (within reason!). The wide wires make it an efficient mixer that is easy to clean.
Flat Beater – Another iconic accessory from Kitchenaid, this easy to clean beater is perfect for eggs and any thicker mixtures you would like to work with, such as cake batter.
Another really exciting feature of the Kitchenaid machines is that they come with a plug-in point that can be used to run their range of extension accessories using the motor of your classic. This range of accessories is enormous and includes something to handle pretty much every dull or laborious job in your kitchen. This range includes a pasta roller, meat grinder, vegetable chopper, ice cream maker, and much more.
The Power
As the base option in the Kitchenaid range, the Classic Stand Mixer does have the lowest power output of all the company’s standing mixers. However, it is still miles ahead of most other standing mixers on the market.
The Classic Stand Mixer’s motor runs on 275 watts, which is nothing to turn your nose up at. The only thing this motor really can’t cope with is bread dough.
Kitchenaid standing mixers use a process called planetary mixing action to provide their superior mixing ability. Although it sounds a little mind-boggling, this simply means that the whisk (or other attached accessory) and the beater turn in the opposite directions. This pulls the mixture to the center of the bowl before pushing it back out again. This results in no areas of the mixture being left unbeaten.
The Classic Range runs at 59 points of planetary mixing action, this is the same as the Artisan range.
Capacity
The Classic Stand Mixer is not the smallest mixer offered by Kitchenaid, they also offer a mini-series.
The Classic Stand Mixer has a capacity of 4.5L – which is the equivalent of 2 medium size cakes. If you are looking for a little more, look at the Artisan range, or keep your eye out as Kitchenaid will occasionally release slightly larger versions of the Classic in limited edition form.
It is worth noting that the bowl of the Classic Stand Mixer does not come with a handle, whereas the bowls of the Artisan and Professional ranges do. The lack of handle matches the original Kitchenaid designs.
Target Audience
Kitchenaid advertises the classic range as the perfect range for beginners. On one level we agree with this. As a beginner, you’re very rarely going to need anything bigger or more powerful than the Classic.
However, small features that the Artisan range has, that the Classic range lacks, like the splash guard and handle on the bowl may benefit beginners.
If you’re prepared to go without these extra features, you can make a big saving by purchasing the Classic over the Artisan.
The Bread Controversy
You probably weren’t expecting this, but we have to talk about the loaf-shaped elephant in the room… For many years a fierce debate has been raging about whether the Classic can handle making bread.
The general consensus is ‘no, not really’. If you want to make a very small batch of burger buns you’ll probably be okay, but if you want to make anything else then you’re out of luck.
This debate has been particularly heated over the years, as despite their customers insisting that they cannot use the classic to make bread, Kitchenaid still sells the Classic with a Dough Hook. If it cannot be used we would prefer a slightly more useful accessory to come with the Classic.
Our Thoughts
There really is a reason that Kitchenaid has been market dominators for over 100 years, and the Classic can answer for a lot of that success.
There definitely are many reasons to pick up the classic, so perhaps it would be quicker to talk about who wouldn’t want to pick it up:
- If you want a standing mixer to make bread in then you should be looking at the Artisan range over the Classic range.
- If you don’t mind paying more for a slightly more optimized machine, with extra features (faster motor, splash guard, handle on your bowl)
However, if you are a beginner or an at-home baker who doesn’t want to make bread, then there really are some benefits to choosing the Classic over other standing mixers.
Kitchenaid machines really do stand head and shoulders above other machines on the market, and if you’re looking to pick one up at a good price, the Classic is a great choice.
With the Classic you do sacrifice a little bit of the user’s ease compared to the other Kitchenaid machines, but if you are prepared to do that for a lower price point then you can make a huge saving by picking up the Classic.
This is not to say that the Classic is a substandard or bad machine, because it really isn’t. It’s more powerful than almost everything else on the market. It’s beautifully designed. It does everything you’d want a stand mixer to do and more. It’s just not the best Kitchenaid Machine.
But, is it worth the money? Absolutely.
