KitchenAid Artisan Mixer Review: A Versatile Kitchen Powerhouse Tested
If you have ever baked a simple cupcake, you have likely heard of the KitchenAid stand mixer. This iconic machine, first designed over a century ago in Ohio, has graced television screens on shows like the Great British Bake Off and Saturday Kitchen, becoming a coveted centrepiece for home bakers worldwide. Often compared to a Chanel handbag for its status, it commands a premium price, with some models nearing £1,000. To determine if such an investment is justified, I rigorously tested the recently launched KitchenAid 5.6l artisan model, retailing at £449.40, putting it through a series of culinary challenges.
How I Conducted the Testing
KitchenAid claims the 5.6l artisan can "take it all on," which I treated as a direct challenge. Beyond using the standard whisk, paddle, and dough hooks for classic bakes like cakes and brownies, I evaluated several supplementary attachments to assess its versatility. Over several weeks in a consistent home kitchen environment, I made pasta with a dedicated pasta maker, churned ice cream with a specialised bowl, ground meat using a sausage-making attachment, and chopped vegetables for various dishes. This thorough testing aimed to verify if the mixer lives up to its reputation as a multi-functional kitchen workhorse.
Overview of the KitchenAid Artisan 5.6l
While many perceive the KitchenAid stand mixer as a single model, it actually encompasses a range of similar designs with varying sizes, prices, and capacities from 3l to 6.9l. The 5.6l artisan, part of the premium artisan line, targets serious cooks rather than occasional bakers. It features KitchenAid's most powerful home bowl motor, offering 11 speeds for precise mixing control and a bowl-lift design for enhanced stability with heavy doughs. Weighing 13kg, it is heavier and larger than previous models, but the bowl-lift function eliminates the need to move it from the wall, a benefit for compact kitchens. However, its weight necessitates placement near a power outlet to avoid frequent lifting.
Quality, Design, and Performance
KitchenAid mixers are celebrated for blending beauty with functionality. The 5.6l artisan retains the brand's iconic retro shape but adds curvaceous edges, complementing timeless kitchen aesthetics. Available in empire red, pistachio, matte black, and almond cream, its polished exterior with chrome detailing and stainless steel bowl is easy to clean. Unlike some mixers with complex interfaces, it features a simple speed dial from 0 to 10, operated with one hand. The 375W motor, about 1.5 times more powerful than the classic model, employs planetary action for thorough mixing with 67 touch points on the bowl.
Testing the standard attachments, I made cookies, cakes, and sourdough bread, achieving excellent results, especially with bread kneading, which was effortless and produced evenly risen loaves. However, the mixer is less practical for small batches, such as beating a single egg, as the whisk may not reach minimal amounts. It excels with larger quantities, handling up to 3.7kg of dough at once.
Optional Attachments: Expanding Functionality
The KitchenAid artisan is marketed as a versatile kitchen tool, with optional attachments that transform it for various cooking tasks. I tested four: the 3-in-1 metal pasta attachment (£199), meat grinder and sausage stuffer set (£99.61), ice cream maker (£94.63), and spiralizer (£79.49).
Meat Grinder and Sausage Stuffer Set: This attachment impressed with its ability to grind tough meats, fish, or cheeses effortlessly, using three grinding plates. It also facilitates making sausages, baby food, and breadcrumbs, proving invaluable for avid cooks.
3-in-1 Metal Pasta Attachment: Surprisingly easy to use, this attachment simplified pasta making, rolling and cutting dough into spaghetti and fettuccine with minimal effort. Cleaning required a brush as it should not be submerged, but dried dough removed easily.
Spiralizer: This attachment was less satisfactory, being fiddly to set up and inefficient for small tasks. It may not justify its cost compared to affordable hand-held alternatives.
Ice Cream Maker: A standout attachment, it produces smooth, natural frozen desserts quickly. The frozen bowl requires freezer space, but it offers a convenient way to make ice cream without additives.
Pros and Cons of the KitchenAid 5.6l Artisan
What I Loved: The mixer combines attractive design, powerful performance, and durability. It operates quietly, is easy to clean, and the attachments make tasks like pasta making and ice cream churning feel effortless. The attachments are compact, saving kitchen space compared to dedicated machines.
What Could Be Better: The mixer is heavy and occupies significant counter space, though this is expected for its capacity. Clipping the bowl in sometimes requires effort, but it ensures stability. The spiralizer attachment did not meet expectations, suggesting better value in dedicated tools.
Is the KitchenAid 5.6l Artisan Worth the Investment?
For those beyond occasional baking, the KitchenAid 5.6l artisan represents a solid investment. Its versatility in meal preparation, from baking to ice cream making, is commendable. However, potential buyers should consider the base cost plus any desired attachments. Anecdotal evidence suggests many users retain their KitchenAid mixers for decades, supported by a five-year warranty and 15 years of repairability, framing it as a long-term kitchen companion. Ultimately, if you seek a reliable, multi-functional mixer that enhances culinary creativity, this model delivers, though it may not suit those with minimal kitchen space or budget constraints.
