The bowl lift is a fancy name for a kitchen gadget that helps you make short work of your cupcake batter and cake icing. The tilt head uses an internal screw to lift the bowl in order to make it easier to pour. The result is a much more consistent, less messy batter or icing than with the old fashioned way of pouring from the bottom side.
KitchenAid has put together an interesting and useful video comparing the two. But it turns out that there is more than met the eye when it comes to the bowl lift.
This is a good example of how a little bit of knowledge can turn into big frustration when it comes to new products. Researching online can save you money and time, but things are not always what they seem on the surface. Here are 10 facts about this product that you may not be aware of:
1. The Bowl Lift is More Expensive Than the Tilt Head
There are two versions of this product. One has a bowl lift, and one has a tilt head. The bowl lift model is more expensive by $10 at this time.
2. The Bowl Lift Model Only Works with Newer 4 Quart Mixers
The bowl lift attachment works only with the 6 quart mixer or the new 5 quart Artisan, both of which were introduced in 2009. If you own an older mixer without the tilt back, you are out of luck on this model.
3. The Bowl Lift Works With Older Mixers, but Not the Tilt Head
The tilt head works with any mixer that has the tilt back system. The bowl lift works only with newer models, which are shown in the video. That means anything older than 2009 will have a less expensive version of this product that only works with the bowl lift.
4. You Need an Allen Key to Put it On
This is also a bit of misinformation. Underneath the actual bowl lift or tilt is a screw and nut assembly. This can be removed by hand and replaced by hand if you want to use it on your older mixer (just remember to re-tighten everything afterwards).
KitchenAid’s big selling point is the fact that, with a few adjustments to the tilt head, it can be raised up and down so the bowl diameter can be changed. This article will compare those adjustments, both between models and between tilt heads. This page contains an image gallery that compares all 4 tilt heads with 3 bowl lifts, a regular stand mixer and a standard handheld electric mixer.
I chose to compare all 4 different models of KitchenAid mixers along with their optional bowl lift and standard tilt head because I thought it would be interesting to see how one model compared to another along with the possible additional features for each model. The bowl lift and standard tilt head are considered interchangeable by the manufacturer, but all of the below pictures show the bowl lift that came with each model.
Standard vs. Bowl Lift Comparison
The tilt head is adjustable in height, which is shown in the photo above, and what affects that height is the pivot point: What you see going in (refer to photo below) is what you get out. The vertical distance of this pivot point can be adjusted 200% (more on that later). For those with a kitchen full of mixers sitting on their countertop, there’s plenty of room to move them around and do some playing around that may or may not come up with something you like better.
Also, for those who might want to go for this option, it’s important to ask: Is the bowl lift really worth the extra money?
Contrary to popular belief, a bowl lift is not a substitute for a second mixer. In order to change the bowl of the tilt head, you have to remove the standard tilt head and screw in the one with a bowl. Some people might feel that having both on hand would be handy but there’s no way I could justify keeping 2 (2!) stand mixers permanently attached to my countertop (at least in my house). I also don’t like the feeling of mixing with only 1 mixer; mixing just feels awkward and imprecise. So for me, there is absolutely no comparison between a bowl lift and having 2 stand mixers.
As for the bowl lift itself, KitchenAid advertises this feature as being able to mix the batter with just 1 hand – the other one helping with scooping the ingredients. I tried using it in this way but it didn’t really work. There were two things that were distracting while making cake icing: Not only was there a huge mess out of which I still had to clean up, but my hand also got tired after a while.
The mixer lacks the power to keep going all by itself. In order to get a more thorough (and faster) mixing, I had all the ingredients in 1 bowl and poured that into a separate bowl that already had my butter and sugar in it. Mixed, dumped back into the original bowl, mixed again in the stand mixer. I can’t see how getting 1 hand free would help much when having to manage 2 bowls and 2 mixers at once.
But what are the benefits? What are the pros and cons? These are questions we’ll address in this comparison review so you can decide how best to stir up your sugar-coated creations!
Table of Contents
Bowl Lift Mixers
How It Works Pros/Cons What To Buy
Tilt Head Mixers How It Works Pros/Cons What To Buy
So let’s get started! And click here to see our full range of KitchenAid stand mixers. Enjoy!
1. Bowl Lift Mixers : How it Works The bowl lift design is just a fancy way to say that they raise the mixing bowl with an internal screw. But how does this help you and your cupcakes? Traditional kitchen mixers are made so that the main work (or workhorse) is the motor, which sits on top of the machine and powers all the attachments. In order to get a consistent amount of batter or icing poured out of the bowl you have to push the workhorse side down. That makes it hard to pour without overfilling. So, with a bowl lift mixer, you simply lift up on the handle and pour–no matter what side is ‘down’ it will be the same amount.
Shown above: KitchenAid Tilt Mixers – both models have 6 speeds and are made for making meringues and cakes.
Pro: It’s much easier to pour from the top. Also, no need to go digging into your deep fryer or other pots for another spoon since you don’t have to go down from the top.
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2. Tilt Head Mixers : How It Works The tilt head design has an internal screw mechanism to lift the bowl as it mixes ingredients. This is a very useful feature if you’re making things that require precise amounts such as frostings and cake batters. These mixers usually have a few speeds, which you can adjust by turning the dial at the front of the machine.
Shown above: KitchenAid Tilt Head Mixer – this model has 6 speeds and is made specifically for the job of making frostings and cake batters.
Pro: It’s easier to control the amount of batter that gets poured out of the bowl. Also, it makes it more convenient if you’re making multiple batches at once and need to mix in ingredients from another bowl.
Is Artisan better than professional?
The KitchenAid Artisan Tilt Mixers cost the same as the Professional, which is to say around $300. These machine are called Artisan models because they were designed with a specific purpose in mind: J.K. Simmons described them as “craftsman like” in his KitchenAid press release and that’s exactly what they are (only more professional quality).
Distinguishing The Differences Many people confuse the tilt head design and bowl lift designs because both raise the bowl for mixing. However, the bowl lift has an extra screw action that lifts the bowl while it’s mixing. The fact that you can use it with both a bowl and a tilt head is a really nice feature as well.
Shown above: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt Mixer – this model has 6 speeds, extreme power and is made specifically for making ice cream.
Pro: It’s easier to control how much batter goes into the bowl. Also, if you’re making multiple batches at once it’s easy to move from the large batch to smaller batches without having to switch bowls or turn off your mixer!
What To Buy Tilt Head mixer, on the other hand, is really simple. It’s just an ordinary mixer with a bowl lift attached. They’re cheaper and don’t have as many fancy features (but they still do have some). Professional KitchenAid mixers are a good option if you feel that you need the extra power and control (its additional speeds) to achieve the best results. As for bowl lifts, there’s no consensus on which one is better so I’ll go with the one that seems to suit me best!
How long do KitchenAid mixers last?
All of our KitchenAid stand mixers are made to last a long time. Each machine has a special place in our hearts since they’re really powerful and convenient. As an avid baker, I can tell you that even the most expensive stand mixer is still cheaper than the average hand-me-down.
Warranty: We’d expect this to last a lifetime since they are made so well. The Artisan Tilt Mixers all have a limited 3-year warranty, while the Professional and all the bowl lift mixers have a 5-year warranty.
What do I do with my old KitchenAid mixer?
If you’ve been a long time user of this amazing brand, chances are you already have one. But what do you do with it? If the mixer is still working, we recommend that you keep it for your other kitchen appliances! This way, if a moving arm or motor gets broken in the future (it does happen), then you’ll be able to simply replace that part by buying yourself a new attachment instead of buying a whole new machine.
What’s the weight of my KitchenAid stand mixer?
All our KitchenAid stand mixers weigh between 15-20 pounds. That’s pretty standard compared to products of similar quality and power. We don’t usually recommend trying to pick up these huge machines by yourself, but if you really need to, you’re in good hands with these!
How long does it take to dishwasher my KitchenAid stand mixer?
The bowl lift mixers can be washed in the dishwasher (in a medium-high setting). The tilt head ones can’t be placed in the dishwasher. If you do have the bowl lift models, we recommend that you hand wash them instead of placing them on the top rack and running them through the dishwasher. This is because the bowl is still raised from during washing which means it might not come completely clean.
Does KitchenAid still have a lifetime warranty?
Yes! All KitchenAid mixers come with a lifetime warranty. We love the fact that KitchenAid stands by their products 100%! This is a great way to protect your investment and makes using this powerful piece of machinery even more enjoyable.
What’s the difference between a tilt head and bowl lift model?
The bowl lift mixer has an extra screw action that lifts and mixes ingredients in one go. The bowl lift style is simply more convenient because it’s usually easier to control the amount of batter you’re pouring into your bowl. Also, the only difference between the two is that you can use either kind with any type of stand mixer (such as professional or tilt head).
CONCLUSION:
If you’re looking for a great smooth, rich texture, then you’re in luck! With both the tilt head design and bowl lift design mixers you’ll have more control over the amount of batter that goes into your bowl. The tilt head has an additional attachment that allows it to lift and mix ingredients in one time. KitchenAid Artisan Tilt Mixer – If you’re looking for an everyday mixer that will help you with making desserts like cakes, frosting and ice cream, then this is the perfect choice for you. This mixer has a high-speed motor (to get the job done fast) as well as 6 speed settings (in case you need to make multiple batches at once).
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