Wondering how to clean a stand mixer? If you’ve invested in one of the best stand mixers, like a KitchenAid, Cuisinart, or a Smeg, you’re probably asking yourself how you ever lived without it. After all, these kitchen appliances make even the most menial of kitchen tasks simple.
These brilliant tools can whip up frosting, mix mountains of cake batter, and grind meat quicker than is humanly possible. But there’s another thing these kitchen appliances can add to their long list of culinary credentials: attracting dirt and unwanted food residue.
Even the neatest cooks will find batter spillages, egg white splatters, and slicks of butter here, there, and everywhere on their mixer. Not to mention the dust cemented into nooks and crannies you didn’t even know your stand mixer had.
If you’re looking for effective ways to clean a stand mixer, you've come to the right place! Ensure your beloved machine lasts on and on with our top tips for keeping its interior and exterior squeaky clean.
How to clean a stand mixer: Unplug your appliance
Perhaps the first (and most important) step to take when it comes to cleaning your stand mixer is to switch off and unplug your machine from the mains.
How to clean a stand mixer: Hand-wash the attachments
If your stand mixer has got lots of different attachments, hand-wash them in hot and soapy water. Be sure to scrub all the edges, including the insides of whisks where leftover mixture collects. Then, either leave your attachments to fully air dry or hand dry them before storing them away.
How to clean a stand mixer: Clean the mixing bowl
As soon as you have finished using your stand mixer, place its bowl into some hot, soapy water. This will stop any food or batter from sticking to it. If you have a steel mixing bowl, apply some stainless-steel cleaner to stop any water lines from forming.
How to clean a stand mixer: Wipe down your mixer base
Splatters of food can even be found on the actual base of the mixer. So, after you have used your appliance, wipe down the stand with a damp microfibre cloth. Pay extra care to the knobs and levers, and to the motor head. If you’ve discovered some stubborn stains, add some baking soda and water to your cloth. For any hard-to-reach areas, use a toothbrush to scrub.
How to clean a stand mixer: Wipe the inside attachment hub
Many of the best stand mixers will let you unscrew the hub plate which you screw your attachments onto. Try to do this every time you use your machine, so food doesn’t collect there. Remember: this element will be harder to wipe clean the longer you leave it.
How to clean a stand mixer: Don’t forget the motor head
Ideally, the motor head on your machine tilts back. If so, push it up and lock it into an upright position so you can see any dirt or grime that might be hidden there. Again, use a damp microfibre cloth and some baking soda on tough stains, or a toothpick or toothbrush for tight spots.
How to clean a stand mixer: Cleaning the ventilation shaft
All stand mixers are fitted with a ventilation shaft that should be located on the back of your mixer head. Unfortunately, and especially if you leave your stand mixer out on a countertop, dust and crumbs can settle there. To ensure your mixer maintains a high level of performance, wipe this area down and use a toothpick or small handheld vacuum to keep it dust and crumb-free.
How to clean your KitchenAid attachments
Perhaps you've just cleaned your KitchenAid thanks to our handy tips, but next up is cleaning the attachments. To make sure your KitchenAid attachments work as hard as you do, you should wash them after every use. The flex edge beater and coated dough hook are the only two KitchenAid attachments that are dishwasher-friendly.
The rest of the attachments, including the wire whip, uncoated dough hooks, and burnished beaters, should be washed by hand with warm, soapy water to avoid tarnishing. Be sure to dry them thoroughly before you put them away.
How to get grease out of a stand mixer
Stand mixers, especially KitchenAid mixers, need their grease replacing usually after a year. But this fluctuates depending on how often and what you use your mixer for.
The grease helps stand mixers minimize friction in their motor and enable it to run at fast speeds without damaging any internal components. Replacing your stand mixer’s grease can be a messy job but it's good practice as it gives you a chance to conduct a full deep clean of your machine while helping to prolong its lifespan and performance.
Be sure to pop on a pair of rubber gloves and place your mixer on top of an old newspaper before you get cleaning. Also, check what Food-Grade Grease your mixer uses; you can usually find this in the instruction manuals.
If your stand mixer is under warranty and you are having problems with it, you should speak to your mixer's manufacturer before you de-grease your machine.
Here's how to get grease out of your stand mixer:
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the back cover of your mixer
- Take the silver band off
- Remove the planetary cover
- Unscrew five or so screws hidden beneath this planetary cover
- Remove a further four or so screws at the bottom of the mixer head
- Separate the top and bottom half of the mixer
- Lift the power cord out of its secure fitting
- Clean the inside of the machine with a blunt knife and/or spoon
