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Farm Kitchen:  Question About Old KitchenAid Mixer  |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 11:02:36 AM
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I know alot of you FarmGirls just love your KitchenAid Mixer. I have a question I hope someone can help me with. I've had mine since 1981. (Is that 25 years? How did that happen?Holy cow, how old am I?But, I digress...) Anyway, the bottom of the paddle never quite makes it to the bottom of the bowl. Is there a way to adjust that? I've not seen the instructions in a bazillion years and my mixer has had that issue for most of its life. As I start to think about the upcoming holiday baking...boy oh boy, would I like to figure out a way to fix that problem with my old friend. Any suggestions?
ps okay I had to correct the year I typed in yesterdeay on this one. I typed in 1989, should have been 1981. Guess y'all wondered about my math abilities. Well, they're not good, but they're not THAT bad...
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
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Edited by - country lawyer on Oct 28 2006 10:30:26 AM |
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bybiddie
True Blue Farmgirl
267 Posts
susan
upstate
ny
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 11:20:26 AM
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My KitchenAid does the same thing. I think it's just a flawed design. I deal with it by stopping the mixer, unlocking it, lifting it, and scraping up the stuff under the paddle. Gee, how convenient!!! But I love it anyway.....
Susan
Lovin' my life |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 11:29:36 AM
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Really? Is yours the type that sort of screw-locks into the base? I used to have one like that and I just stuck a half dollar in the base first, then screwed in the bowl. Voila, much better mixing!  |
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 12:10:46 PM
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Rebekah, mine also needs to be scraped...but I think the paddle does make it to the bottom. Mine is the type with the lift handle. I have been told by a reliable source that KitchenAid was sold by Hobart a few years ago, and is no longer the solid metal machine it used to be, but now has plastic in its "innards". Also, years ago, KitchenAid would replace its small appliances for the person's lifetime. I had that done with my food processor. I have no idea whether they continued that practice. I guess my advise is to try to find some really clever handyman type who can unscrew the machine and adjust it.
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Oct 27 2006 : 2:20:52 PM
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Hi there,
Mine has the same problem. You have inspired me to pull out the instructions (I know right where they are since KitchenAid includes such yummy recipes) and see what they say. Here you are:
(Page 11)
Beater to Bowl Clearance
Your mixer is adjusted at the factory so that the flat beater just clears the bottom of the bowl. If for any reason, the flat beater hits the bottom of the bowl, or is too far away from the bowl, clearance can be corrected as follows:
Tilt-Head Models
- un-plug mixer
- lift motor head
- turn screw (at top of the stand part, there is a picture here but I can't post it) SLIGHTLY counter-clockwise (left) to raise flat-beater or clockwise (right) to lower flat-beater.
- make adjustment with flat-beater, so it just clears the surface of the bowl
Warning: If you over-adjust the screw, the bowl lock lever may not lock into place.
Bowl-lift Models
- Unplug mixer (they really don't want you to electrocute yourself!)
- Place bowl lift handle in down position
- Turn screw (it's on the underneath of the head portion, in the middle -- there are three screws in the picture, it's the smallest one) SLIGHTLY counter-clockwise (left) to raise flat-beater and clockwise (right) to lower flat-beater.
- Make adjustments with flat-beater, so it just clears the surface of the bowl.
NOTE: When properly adjusted, the flat beater will not strike on bottom or side of bowl. If beater or wire whip is adjusted too close so that it strikes bottom of bowl, coating may wear off beater, or wires may wear through on wire whip.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you can't locate the screw on your model without the picture and I'll try to get my scanner working to post the pictures.
Best regards,
Robin
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Phils Ann
True Blue Farmgirl
1095 Posts
Ann
Parsonsburg
Maryland
USA
1095 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2006 : 10:14:35 AM
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Robin, thanks for the very helpful instructions! I never thought to look in the manual.
XO,
Ann
There is a Redeemer. |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2006 : 10:28:09 AM
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How funny, Ann. T'ain't that the truth? (my Mom always said, when in doubt, read the instructions.) I knew you gals would have some sound advice on this one. I found the screw, Robin, but can't get the thing to budge. I don't know if there is any hope there. Maybe it's been in that position too long. It's the one down in the little hole you see when you lift the mixer head, right? Were you able to adjust yours? Boy, do I admire the FarmGirl ingenuity of the half dollar, MaryAnn! That one never crossed mind in all these years...Thanks!
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
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tziporra
True Blue Farmgirl
234 Posts
Robin
Seattle
WA
USA
234 Posts |
Posted - Oct 28 2006 : 10:02:01 PM
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Jo,
Yes, that's the right screw. Sorry you can't get it to move :( I have ways to force a screw, but I'd be worried to try them in this instance in case of moving the screw too much (for instance, breaking out the electric screwdriver or using a wrench to get more torque on regular screwdriver). I loved the half-dollar idea too!
Best,
Robin |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2006 : 12:29:49 AM
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I have had mine since 1987 and it just barely clears the bottom with the paddle on. I seem to use the paddle most of all..how about you gals? I hope you are able to adjust yours!!
I was just thinking the other day how my kitchen aid has been a part of my life for 19 years now. I got it for Christmas 1987 from my ex MIL. I would sure miss it if it were gone. I have an old standard white one, but if it ever does "pass away" I think I would get the dark green one. Maybe.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2006 : 07:15:12 AM
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Hey, Aunt Jenny, this will crack you up. Mine WAS the yellowy-greeny color left over from the '70's. Funky and interesting, but didn't look good on the counter in my 1990's kitchen of white and green. So......I painted it! I did sponge painting on it, dark green and off-white. It looks great. So many people have commented on it throughout the years. Now, I'm in a totally different kitchen and I keep eyeing it...I might just change it's color again! Red and yellow, maybe?
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 29 2006 : 07:53:08 AM
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for the stuck screw you could try squirting some mechanical oil into the screw top (probably would need to hold the whole apparatus upside down so gravity could help the oil get in and around the screw. Also if you over adjust one way you can always move the screw back once it has budged.
I am so jealous of all of you who have kitchen-aid s I desperatly desire one! Some day I will get my wish! :) |
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Farm Kitchen: Question About Old KitchenAid Mixer |
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Question About Old KitchenAid Mixer
