It certainly is a cute little mixer! However, it is important to know if it’s big enough for your kitchen. We have compiled a list of features to help you decide if the KitchenAid Mini is for you based on what you need your mixer for. So, you don’t have to worry about making just pancakes and sponges forever!
If you are thinking about getting a scratch resistant or shatterproof mixing bowl and/or dough hook, then the answer is no because these items are not included with this mini-sized model. Also, if you are a cookbook junkie, then you may need to think twice about taking this mixer with you.
KitchenAid Mini is small enough to be carried from room to room and fits neatly into the lower storage of most cabinets. But, you will still have to remove the lid or bowl for storage.
Is it convenient? Yes! It has a built in 2 quart bowl with a secure lock. You can mix ingredients without having to use extra bowls or containers and the bowl is easy to clean.
The mini kitchenaid mixer does not have a “real” mixer head. It is more of a spice shaker wand. In fact, it is the same piece that comes with the KitchenAid food grinder attachment or any KitchenAid grinder attachment you can purchase separately. The Mini has just one speed and no swivel head or other fancy accessories! There is also no pouring shield, splash guard or splash ring which is crucial when transferring ingredients.
Is The KitchenAid Mini Worth It?
This little mixer is a nice size for a small kitchen and it’s great for mixing small amounts of ingredients. While it is not professional grade, it does the job and does so with ease! It’s perfect for those who don’t have large kitchen space or do not want to invest in a full-size mixer.
So, if you’re looking for something that has all of the power, functions, accessories and durability of similar models on the market but without all the bells and whistles or storage capacity, then this could be an excellent choice!
KitchenAid Mini Features 1.1-Quart Stainless Steel Bowl
You won’t be able to use this bowl for cooking like you would a stainless steel mixing bowl so you will have to remove it for storage. You’ll want to store this bowl upside down or with the lid on so it doesn’t get any stains or scratches on its hard metal surface. You’ll want to make sure that it is dried thoroughly after washing too, or it could stain if you leave it wet. When washing, hand wash this bowl in warm soapy water then dry thoroughly with either a towel or cloth before reassembling the mixing head and storing. The bowl is tough enough to resist dents and dings, but it is not unbreakable.
With the built in handle, you’ll be able to easily lift the bowl out of your mixer and set it aside. The handle is sturdy and won’t bend or twist regardless of how much you mix. For storage, you can simply place the lid on top of the bowl after washing or leave it on if you’re ready to use it again soon. In fact, leaving the lid on will keep dust or other particles from getting inside while leaving it sitting around.
The stainless steel bowl is standard with most KitchenAid mixers and can hold up to 4 cups of flour depending on how much air there is in your ingredients.
Is KitchenAid mini Good For Bread Dough?
The answer is no, you can’t use the mini for bread dough. It has a standard dough hook and a single speed so it’s just not designed for kneading dough.
Is the Mini Powerful Enough?
The mixer is good for small jobs like cookies, cakes or mashed potatoes but it is not built to handle larger tasks or heavy ingredients like bread dough. You can mix some pizza dough in it using the paddle attachment or your hands to get a feel for how much power is really behind this machine and you’ll see that you can mix some of your recipes in this unit but it won’t handle everything you want to try. The Mini is just not meant for mixing bread dough. The head is actually a spice shaker wand and the rotation speed and power are more similar to a food grinder than a standard stand mixer.
Product Specifications of the KitchenAid Mini Mixer:
Includes 2 Quart Nylon Beater Blade
Width: 12″ (30 cm) Depth: 10-1/4″ (26 cm) Height: 13-1/4″ (34 cm)
Weight: 8.4 pounds (3.8 kg) Shipping weight: 9 pounds
Color Options Available in Glossy White, Pearl Metallic Blue, Red Cardinal, Indigo, Onyx Black, Apple Green and Graphite Grey.
Power: 750 Watts Continuous
Speed: High Speed
Paddle: Splatter-Proof/Reversible Dough Hook with Soft-Touch Handle. This paddle swings from side to side.
Warranty: 5 Years on Motor, 1 Year on Parts and Labor in the USA and Canada.
Miscellaneous Accessories Included in the Box: 2 Quart Mixing Bowl, Stand Alone 2 Quart Mixing Bowl, Wipe Clean Stainless Steel Bowl Lid, Power Cord & Plug. The bristles are not removable which is how they break off in more expensive machines so you’ll have to be careful when removing this bowl or replacement parts as it may be impossible to remove them without damaging the brush at some point inside.
What Is The Difference Between KitchenAid Classic And Mini?
The classic series have 2.5 quart, 4.5 quart and 5 quart bowls while the mini series has 1.5 quart and 2 quart bowls like this one so you’ll have to decide which size you need before you purchase either of them. The mini is a convenient size for smaller homes or if you don’t bake often but it’s worth noting that larger bowls can accommodate larger batches so they will save you time if your baking habits are more frequent.
The power base of the KitchenAid mini is not motorized so the head will not automatically change direction when something is stuck in it unless the ingredients are heavy enough to bend the head back towards itself. If a recipe calls for mixing in both directions, you’ll have to manually move the head from one side to the other. The KitchenAid classic on the other hand, does have an auto-reversing feature to save you time and effort.
The mini has only one speed and it is not strong enough to handle bread dough so it will not be useful for recipes that call for kneading. It is fine for lighter ingredients like cookies, cakes or mashed potatoes but it is not powerful enough to mix thicker fatter mixes like bread dough.
The mini is great for small kitchens and hobby bakers but is totally inadequate for anyone who wants a full mixer with multiple speeds, attachments and accessories.
KitchenAid Mini Mixer Vs Full Size?
This is a difficult comparison because the mini is a great product for what it does but it does not provide all of the functions that you would see on a Kitchenaid full size mixer so it’s a trade-off between getting something smaller and more compact or something bigger with more accessories included.
The classic series has 2.5 quart, 4.5 quart and 5 quart bowls while the mini series has 1.5 quart and 2 quart bowls like this one so you’ll have to decide which size you need before you purchase either of them. The mini is a convenient size for smaller homes or if you don’t bake often but it’s worth noting that larger bowls can accommodate larger batches so they will save you time if your baking habits are more frequent.
The power base of the KitchenAid mini is not motorized so the head will not automatically change direction when something is stuck in it unless the ingredients are heavy enough to bend the head back towards itself. If a recipe calls for mixing in both directions, you’ll have to manually move the head from one side to the other. The KitchenAid classic on the other hand, does have an auto-reversing feature to save you time and effort.
The classic series has 2.5 quart, 4.5 quart and 5 quart bowls while the mini series has 1.5 quart and 2 quart bowls like this one so you’ll have to decide which size you need before you purchase either of them. The mini is a convenient size for smaller homes or if you don’t bake often but it’s worth noting that larger bowls can accommodate larger batches so they will save you time if your baking habits are more frequent.
Final Thougths:
If you’re looking for a mixer that has a power base and includes all of the accessories to use it as a bread maker, this is not it. It does have a dough hook attachment but you can’t make bread dough in it so keep that in mind if you’re trying to replace your full size mixer with the mini. If you’re just looking for something small and compact to mix small batches of food like cookies or cakes, this is perfect.
Tips:
The bowl of the mini is not metal like on other mixers so make sure you remove any dough or batter that’s left inside at the end of each batch because they will stick to the sides and break off when you try to remove them.
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