Old Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
Hello All,
I am very new here and have never owned a stand mixer in my life. I just turned 46 about a week ago. When I was probably 10 or 12 years old my mother bought a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. I may have been even younger. All I know is that she had this thing forever and it got quite the workout. She baked constantly and did so quite well.
A few days before my birthday this year my mother passed away. She was 82. My father asked if there was anything of my mother's that I wanted. Without hesitation, I replied, "I would really like to have mom's Kitchen Aid."
My question is this: This mixer is over thirty years old. Is there any maintenance I should do on this mixer prior to really putting it back into use. It did sit idle for the last several months as my mother was unable to use it. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.
I am looking forward to using the mixer and thinking of my mother every time.
Thanks!
A 30+ year old mixer was, hopefully, made when Hobart manufactured Kitchen Aid mixers. Working Hobart-era Kitchen Aid mixers are well respected and have maintained their value over the decades, as you can verify for yourself by perusing eBay sales. If it was manufactured by Hobart, it will say so on the mixer body. (Whirlpool purchased the Kitchen Aid line of mixers in the mid 80s)
Regardless of manufacturer, first step is to use your Mom's mixer for your own baking. It may work well and need no maintenance. Do this even if it has not been used for awhile.
If, during use, you encounter problems, you should take it to an *authorized Kitchen Aid repair center* in your area and get an *estimate* on reconditioning and repair. Do not attempt to repair or recondition it yourself.
I have long owned two Hobart-era 5-qt stand Kitchen Aid mixers. They have been used regularly for cooking tasks that typically stress a mixer, such as mixing dough, milling grain and grinding meat. Re bread, they are workhorses for a home baker as long as your dough quantity is about 4 to 5 lbs (for a 5-qt Hobart-era KA stand mixer).
If, after use, you wish to upgrade/replace some of the attachments (such as the dough hook), these attachments are inexpensive and widely available. Just make sure the seller guarantees that they will fit the model number that you own. Do not assume that attachments or bowls for current KitchenAid mixers will automatically fit an older model.
Best of luck using your Mom's KA mixer. Besides the sentimental value, I think you will find it to be a well-built workhorse that will serve you well.
Do post back if you have additional questions.
Getting a hobart mixer repaired is not cheap. The good thing is that if Hobart made it Hobart will fix it doesn't make a difference how old it is or when it was made. I have had 60-year-old Hobart mixer's in bakeries that I worked at even if they had to get up or machined to fix it they would do so.
I even have a Hobart scale that is so old when one side shows the weight and the other side of the scale shows how much it costs per pound for the customer and the highest price it shows on the scale is $1.50 each pound. When was the last time you bought something that costs a dollar and a half a pound. I called Hobart up recently because the rubber bumper that prevents the scale from banging was worn out and they told me they could fix it.
So if you want the machine fixed just do a google search for Hobart get the phone number and give them a call and they will tell you where to take itThis mixer is a Hobart made Kitchen Aid. As of now it does not need to be fixed as it works. I was just wondering if I needed to do any preventative maintenance or other things to it since it has not been used for the last six months and was just sitting there.
It is good to know that I can count on the Horbart Company to service the mixer should that be neccesarry.
No preventative maintenance is needed. Turn it on. If it works, you're ready to bake.
Don't try to disassemble / reassemble it yourself. It is easy to mess it up if you reassemble it incorrectly (been there, done that).
Do post back and tell us how it works for you.