The KitchenAid mixer has held an iconic place in the American kitchen for decades, but you may be surprised to know it started out in 1918 as a 10-quart industrial size mixer, manufactured by the Hobart Corporation. Hobart had previously built mixers for the US navy and other industrial users, but the brand name KitchenAid was first available for home users via door-to-door sales from a mostly female work force.
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| Model H-5 |
The 5-quart mixer size (Model H-5) was introduced in 1919 and was popular with farm-wives and small businesses, but it wasn't until 1937 with the introduction of the Model K designed by Egmont Arens that the mixers began regularly selling out at Christmas time. The Model K is the design that most closely resembles the mixers available from KitchenAid today, and this shape was later trademarked.
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| Model K |
Hobart made KitchenAid mixers until 1986 when the Whirlpool corporation bought KitchenAid for 150 million, which now seems like a bargain. Just two years later in 1988 KitchenAid partnered with Williams-Sonoma and began making exclusive colors for retailers, causing the brand to explode in popularity once again. However, many people even now lament the sale of the company to Whirlpool, as many believe the modern KitchenAid mixer cannot compare to the previous quality of Hobart manufacturing. Vintage KitchenAid lovers are always on the hunt for the Hobart stamp at the base of the mixer body, believing it to be worth its weight in gold.
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| Smithsonian Magazine |
As a child in the early eighties one of my very first memories was of being set on the counter next to my mother's harvest gold KitchenAid mixer to make cookies. I was probably two years old and I can still remember the whir of the mixer's paddle and the excitement of something sweet to come. My mother still uses the same mixer today that she bought in 1977, though it's been painted over a few times and now gleams silver. If mixers could talk, this one would surely tell stories of Christmas cookies, coleslaws, and fights over who gets to lick the beater!
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| My mother's 1977 Hobart KitchenAid |
When I graduated college in 2001 my most fervent wish was for my very own mixer, and my mother delivered with a cherry red 5-quart Artisan model that I cherished and still own today. I've since upgraded to a black 7-quart stand mixer with a more powerful motor and lift handle mechanism, and thoroughly enjoy the ability to make double batches and knead bread dough with ease. I very much enjoyed my 5-quart mixer but if you can swing the steep price ($649.99) for the larger 7-quart model, I can thoroughly recommend the upgrade. With this larger model the motor doesn't strain or slow down, flour doesn't fly out with as much regularity because of the deeper bowl, and overall it just feels like a better quality machine.
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| My 7-Quart Model |
One caveat I've found with KitchenAid mixers that I've seen in every model I've ever used is the enamel attachments that they come with eventually degrading and beginning to chip. With my newest 7-quart mixer I finally bought the more expensive stainless steel paddle (only wash by hand please! the dishwasher really ruins these) and I'm much happier with the performance and no longer worry about enamel chips in my cookies. I could take or leave the plastic splash shield that comes with mixers these days, but a good paddle attachment is priceless! This model also comes with an enamel bread hook and stainless steel whisk, but I don't use either as often as the paddle beater so if you're like me, I would recommend investing in the steel paddle -- you really won't believe how heavy it is when it arrives!
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| 7 quart Flat Beater |
I'm obviously a KitchenAid mixer lover, and I can recommend their 7-quart mixer without reservation. My experience with the standard 5-quart models post Hobart (of which I've had two, and used at least a dozen others) was less than stellar. They just don't compare motor wise to older Hobart models or to newer, larger models. They don't have the power necessary to mix anything with heft, and that includes simple oatmeal cookies. If you have an old 5-quart Hobart made mixer, more power to you, that thing will last forever, but if you're shopping for a mixer right now, my opinion is go big or go home. I was able to use a coupon when I bought my 7-quart model and saved about $100, Amazon seems to have them on sale currently at $549 as well. Happy shopping, happy baking, and happy memory making!
*Please note this blog post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on a link to purchase. Affiliate links are generally a very small source of blogging income and do not influence any opinion or review stated on the blog.
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