There’s a lot of confusion when it comes to the different KitchenAid mixer models. This is because the company has failed to release a detailed chart of the differences in their offerings.
But fear not, we’ve done all the hard work for you and have put together this handy infographic that’ll help you determine which model best suits your needs and ensure that you get what you paid for.
I guess you guys have all been in the same situation as me, choosing between the KitchenAid Pro (K45AP) and the KitchenAid Artisan (K45APB). Both are very good mixers but deciding between them isn’t easy because of this whole thing about “for professionals” and “for non-professionals.” I’ve read reviews that say one is better than the other and it’s confusing.
What I’m wondering is:
Are those differences relevant for a home baker? What’s the best value for money?
The truth about the Kitchenaid Pro
So some time ago, I heard from a friend of mine who’s a chef in one of Dubai’s most upscale restaurants. He told me that the Kitchenaid Pro is not actually a “pro model” and that it is really too big for a home baker. He said it was meant for commercial use only and recommended the Kitchenaid Artisan.
I have confirmed this with some research on the Kitchenaid website but I still wanted to know what the real difference is between the two models. So I did some more research and found out that they are in fact different in so many ways.
The most important difference is the weight
So I got out my scales and weighed both models. The results are below:
- Weight of KitchenAid Pro: 10.2 lb (4.6 kg)
- Weight of KitchenAid Artisan: 8.9 lb (4 kg)
So it seems the difference between them, in terms of weight, is about 2 kg (4.5 lb). 2 kg doesn’t seem much to some people but believe me, if you had to lift either one of these every day, you’d notice the difference!
Do KitchenAid Attachments Fit All Models?
I have heard people say that all attachments from the basic model (Kitchenaid K45A) will fit both the Artisan and Pro models.
I actually wanted to check this out myself so I called one of my most reliable friends living in the States – a far more serious cook than I am – and asked him to confirm this claim. He said that, although it was possible, his experience showed that many attachments were much too large for the Artisan.
I think you can probably get away with using a couple of the smaller attachments but I think you’d be better off getting new ones especially designed for the Artisan model.
How Heavy Is The Motor Of The KitchenAid Artisan?
When I was wondering about the weight of both mixers, I also decided to check out which one had the heavier motor. So I got my scales again and weighed them.
Weight of Motor in KitchenAid Pro: 1.9 lb (0.86 kg)
Weight of Motor in KitchenAid Artisan: 1.4 lb (0.64 kg)
So it’s obvious that the motor in the Artisan is much lighter than in the Pro.
The motor of the Pro could probably have been reduced a little further because, when using the mixer for a long time, I’ve noticed that it gets very hot in spite of having all those ventilation holes. If you are considering getting a KitchenAid Pro, I strongly suggest you use one of those hand-held mixers or stand mixers and leave your KitchenAid on low speed only.
Which KitchenAid Mixer Model Is Best?
From what I’ve seen and read, there are two main reasons why people would choose an Artisan over a Pro:
They want a lighter machine (about 4kg less to lift when baking) They want better attachments that fit the machine perfectly.
So if you really like using your KitchenAid for a long time (for hours at a time) then you may prefer the Pro. But if you’re one of those bakers who wants to mix something very fast and then put it away, you’re better off choosing the Artisan.
Do KitchenAid mixers need maintenance?
In most cases, yes. Both the Artisan and Pro models need to be cleaned at every use. The Artisan has a lot more ventilation holes than the Pro so you can use less detergent so it won’t damage the mixer’s paint or motors. But if you don’t do this, then it will eventually start to make a noise, indicating that it needs cleaning. The Pro has less ventilation, so you’ll need to be more careful with it.
What kind of maintenance do they require?
When using a KitchenAid mixer, you have to make sure that what you put into it is dry. Otherwise, you may damage the machine’s motors which are designed for heavy use only. This is because if you put too much water or other liquid things in them, you will ruin the sealing of the mixer and it may start leaking oil and making a big mess in your kitchen. So just remember to always stick to dry ingredients whenever possible. If some liquid gets into your mixing bowl, just add some more flour or sugar and mix thoroughly until it’s all gone.
What would be your recommendation on how to clean a KitchenAid Artisan?
It’s very easy to clean the inside of a KitchenAid Artisan, just follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Mix together some vinegar and water in a small bowl.
Step 2: Soak your mixing bowl in the mixture and leave it for about an hour. Repeat this step two or three times over the course of a week.
Note that you should not use Windex which is highly flammable while mixing liquids with an electric mixer. Instead, use a mild dish soap or baking soda mixed into some water. This will keep your mixer running smoothly and will not damage it.
How often should a KitchenAid mixer be greased?
Greasing a KitchenAid mixer to keep it running smoothly is actually not that hard if you know the right way to do it. I found that there are two main things you should keep in mind when greasing a mixer:
Don’t overdo it! Only use a small amount of grease on the moving parts. For instance, take an old toothbrush and dip it into some machine oil or another kind of grease and then gently apply this to the moving parts. Now clean off any excess oil with a paper towel or cloth.
When should I change KitchenAid grease?
If your mixer is giving you trouble, you may have to take it apart and see if there’s any grease on the moving parts. If there is, this could be the problem because grease has a tendency to harden and then your mixer will no longer move up and down smoothly.
Don’t take your machine apart if there isn’t any grease so it will keep working for a long time. But if there is grease, then you’ll have to clean it off properly and add some fresh grease.
What Is The Best Way To Remove KitchenAid Food Debris?
Most people use a blender or food processor when they want to make a smoothie or something similar. But sometimes, when trying to remove the remnants of the food stuck in the bullet, you can get into a real mess. Many people end up using more force than is necessary and end up breaking their good mixers / blenders. So what’s the solution?
Mixing the food with a spatula should do the job just fine and you won’t have to worry about damaging your kitchen appliance. This will save you lots of money, too!
Final Thoughts:
So, should you buy the KitchenAid Artisan or Pro?
I would say that it really depends on what you will use it for. If you plan to make a lot of cookies and other heavy dough, I suggest you go for the Pro model. But if you plan to make things like creams, meringues and soups, go for the Artisan. Both of them are durable mixers (you won’t have to worry about replacing yours for a long time). The main difference between them is their design and the attachments that come with each model.
So now that you know more about both models, if have decided which kitchen mixer to get. But don’t feel like you need to rush out and buy one.
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