April 4, 2008 - 3:12am
Dough hook
Why is my dough crawling up the dough hook of my KitchenAid and headed straight for the gears and guts of the machine after just a few turns? I suppose it has something to do with the fact that the knob at the front the mixer fell off and the hook doesn't like the way I reattached the knob, but how do I correct the problem?
Also, what's the easy way to detach the bowl from the treads at the base? My current method usually involves a furious arm-wrestle.
Abby
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According to the manual, dough climbs a KitchenAid hook when it is too wet.
KitchenAid recommends adding a bit more flour if this happens.
Mike
Mike, this is a challah dough, which is not a wet dough, and I haven't previously had a problem with dough climbing the hook on this or any other dough, even really wet ciabatta doughs. I'm still inclined to think something's not adjusted right.
AbbyL
I mixed up my weekly batch of pain a l'ancienne this afternoon, using the full 24 ounces of water. The dough was quite wet. I tried something new: I dipped the dough hook in a pan of water before inserting it in my KA and also sprayed the top of it with water. I sprayed the top of the hook lightly a couple of times during the mixing. Normally the dough climbs up the hook with this dough, but this time it didn't.
Now, I don't know if this will work as well the next time I mix this dough, but thought it worth mentioning.
You didn't mention which KA model you are using but wrote something about jury rigging the dough hook in. I don't know if an improper beater to bowl clearance would cause your recent issue, but it may be worth checking. Your manual gives instructions. The KitchenAid website, in their KitchenAid conversations section, has a video showing proper clearance using a dime as a test.
Don't know which model K.A. you have but I have a 20+ yr. old K.A. (model K5A) and I have had the problem you describe (dough climbing the hook onto the drive shaft and assembly cover) and it mostly happens when I have too much dough (more than 6-7 cups of flour) in the the mixing bowl. For large amounts of dough (4 loaves of 1 1/2 - 2 lb. each) I bought an additional bowl for my K.A. and divide the dough between the 2 bowls when mixing larger batches using two seperate bowls.
Howard - St. Augustine, FL
Abby, if you spray a bit of oil on the metal base where the bowl fits in, you'll find it much easier to remove.
I have an Artisan that is only about 6 months old and the bowl justs twists into place. The problem is that really stiff doughs cause it to twist in ever more tightly. I have found if I hit the handle with the heel of my hand so the bowl does a quick counter-clockwise twist, it pops off. Not optimal, but it works.
Marni
What speed did you set it on? If it's too slow, then it'll just climb up the dough hook. Try boosting the speed to fling the dough out to the sides of the bowl.
The KitchenAid manual says to knead at no higher a speed than 2. I hear a lot about motors burning out, and I wonder if people are following this instruction.
And, yes, spread a little oil on the base before you insert the bowl.
Rosalie