November 22, 2019 - 7:50am
Ankarsrum arm removal?
I really want to buy an Ankarsrum mixer but it won't fit in my cupboard as it's too high by a few cm. However, I think that I might be able to fit it in if I can store it with the arm removed - is this possible and/or easy to do?
Share
The Ankarsrum is intended to be tipped on its side for use with certain attachments, such as the blender and grain mill (there’s a motor hub on one side and the rubber feet extend up and around on the opposite side).
Will it fit in your space in that position? Since the arm can be adjusted, it might just fit. You will have to remove the bowl and store it alongside.
BTW, the snap on lids that fit the KitchenAid 6 qt bowls fit nicely on the Ankarsrum bowl. It’s loose, but it keeps the attachments dust-free when I’m storing them inside the bowl, and I’ll use it to cover if I’m proofing dough in the bowl.
I agree about tipping it on its side. I removed the arm once, IIRC, it is not an easy task to take it on and off - there is a spring mechanism that needs to be attached to keep the arm pressed against the bowl. I can't recall exactly how I did it, but I am sure I would not want to do it on a regular basis.
Hmm, okay. I somewhat expected that it's not a trivial task. It would fit laying on its side but will take up quiet a lot of precious cupboard space. I'll think about it though.. Thanks!
Bronc, while no where near as heavy duty as the Ank, Bosch used to offer a mixer than was designed to go into cabinets - the Bosch Concept. You can find them from time to time on Ebay or other used outlets. The base is extremely light and compact, but , IMO, the design of the transmission has some issues, and if it dies, it is too expensive to replace. In use, it works similarly to the Bosch Universal Plus for dough kneading - especially if you get the heavy duty mixing hook. The regular mixing hook that it came with is a little underwhelming.
I'll look into it but already having a Kenwood Chef I think I'd like something that's a significant improvement over it. Another question I have is whether the Ankarsrum can actually fully replace a KitchenAid/Kenwood Chef mixer - i.e. for making cakes, meringues, mousses, etc.? I think I might be able to fit it on it's side but my Kenwood Chef would have to go - no room for two stand mixers unfortunately..
Hey, Bronc:
I've had my Ank (under its previous name, Assistent) almost ten years, now. Not that I'm much of a cook, but I haven' met a mixer's job yet that it doesn't handle, and handle well. I've not done a mousse, but whipped cream or meringues for the lightest, fluffiest angel food cakes you've ever tried, creaming butter and my favorite, creaming cheese for cheesecake. I'll be doing a cheesecake for Turkey day. Confession: I normally mix simple cakes by hand or use a hand mixer unless I'm making too much for those methods.
Most importantly, while it handles all common mixing jobs, a batch of bagel or pretzel dough doesn't burn it out.
gary
Thanks. I'm a bit into French patisserie myself and that's why I'm concerned whether the Ankarsrum would do the job. Maybe a Kenwood Chef XL (Major) would be a good allarounder - more powerful and with a bigger capacity than my current Kenwood Chef and comes with a proper S-shaped dough hook which unfortunately doesn't fit the standard Chef. Just like the Ankarsrum it would be a difficult fit in my Kitchen but I could find some space if I reshuffle the cupboards I guess..
Mixing the doughs and batters are elementary. If there are special issues with aeration, &c., switch to the stationary bowl and whisks. Toppings and fillings are simple everyday mixing. From my limited, but not zero, experience, and referencing Michel Suas's "Advance Bread and Pastry", handling and shaping skills are much more in use.
The real questions are, what needs do you need the to Ank fill and what, in particular, causes your concern. As I said earlier, I've had mine for nine years with no instances of its not handling the jobs I gave it.
gary
I have never had any problem with my Electrolux Assistant DLX-2000. It has worked well for me since '06 when I first got it!!