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KitchenAid consistently provides top-notch baked treats.

The Artisan Stand Mixer is undoubtedly the most legendary and beloved KitchenAid model ever. Its prominent place in kitchens and households nationwide speaks volumes about its exceptional quality and reputation. However, if you need further proof, I decided to put it to the test right in our kitchen.

There isn’t a stand mixer more deserving of the title ‘best stand mixer’ than the KitchenAid Artisan. The brand has built off its iconic retro body for over a century. Over the years it has stayed roughly the same, although the brand has added more colour options, more power, and a bigger bowl over the years. There are some other touches take this into extra special territory too, but those are the fundamentals that tip this into top-tier territory

I recently acquired one of these sought-after models and was initially concerned that it might be overrated due to all the buzz online. However, it has proven to be an essential item in my kitchen. It's a timeless piece, a true necessity, and perhaps my latest favorite companion. Can you tell that I’m completely convinced?

Specifications

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Dimensions	36 x 24 x 27 cm	Row 0 - Cell 2
Weight	11.1 kgs	Row 1 - Cell 2
Power	300 watts	Row 2 - Cell 2
Material	Stainless steel, cast iron	Row 3 - Cell 2
Speed settings	10	Row 4 - Cell 2
Accessories	Splash guard, k-beater, whisk, dough hook	Row 5 - Cell 2
Guarentee	Row 6 - Cell 1	Row 6 - Cell 2

Unpacking

KitchenAid excels in aesthetics. Its iconic, vintage design is easily identifiable, and the charm of the Artisan lies in its wide array of colour choices. Whether you prefer vibrant and eye-catching or elegant and understated, each shade has been carefully evaluated by specialists to ensure it conveys a luxurious yet individualized feel.

It's fortunate that they excel in this aspect, as the packaging isn't my favorite feature of the stand mixer. While it effectively protects the product, KitchenAid relies heavily on polystyrene to ensure it arrives in pristine condition. This results in a trash bin filled with non-recyclable waste, which is not only a hassle but also an environmental concern. Although it's a small issue that won't significantly impact your experience with the KitchenAid—aside from perhaps a sigh for the planet (and your waste disposal)—it's a sustainability aspect that I prefer to monitor.

Who would it be appropriate for?

The KitchenAid Artisan is an ideal centerpiece for aspiring bakers. It boasts user-friendly features, durability, and impressive power. However, this quality comes at a significant cost, so it's essential to ensure you're truly committed to your baking journey. If you're merely exploring a passing interest, purchasing a KitchenAid might be a costly whim. But if you're dedicated to baking for years to come, this timeless investment is definitely worthwhile.

For the majority of households, a 4.8-litre capacity is more than sufficient. It allows you to bake two sponge cakes, prepare a family-sized loaf of bread, and whip up almost a litre of cream. However, professional bakers dealing with drier, tougher doughs may prefer a bowl-lift mixer, which offers greater weight and stability at the base. While these mixers are large and typically not needed for everyday home baking, they may be a worthwhile investment if you have grander baking aspirations.

What is the experience like when using it?

The Artisan features an incredibly straightforward design. To unlock the head, simply push a lever, then tilt the head back and secure your accessory. Rotate the bowl until it's locked in position, and use the same lever to lower the lid back into place. It offers ten speed settings that can be adjusted in increments of two, starting from 0 to 1, and then progressing to 2, 4, 6, and so forth.

Like all KitchenAid models, this one employs planetary action, meaning the mixing head rotates while traversing the bowl, maximizing contact with the ingredients. Based on the outcomes I experienced, I genuinely believe this is a valuable feature rather than just a marketing gimmick.

Test 1: dessert

The initial task I assigned to the Artisan was to bake a chocolate cake. For this purpose, I opted for the traditional k-beater. Crafted from sturdy stainless steel, it has a substantial weight to it. I appreciate this heft, as it imparts both a solid and high-quality sensation. I often joke that I could potentially mix concrete with it, although I sincerely hope my cake batters never turn out like concrete!

To begin, I combined my butter and sugar until creamy. The Artisan mixer effortlessly blended everything together, resulting in a light and airy mixture in just a few minutes. Next, I incorporated my flour, cocoa powder, eggs, and vanilla. I dialed the speed down to low to prevent any flour from flying up into the air. Although I appreciate the handy splash guard that KitchenAid offers, I prefer to experiment with stand mixers without it for an added challenge.

All of my ingredients blended together perfectly. The batter had a smooth and silky texture, and even the creamed butter and sugar that settled at the bottom were fully incorporated into the mixture, which is quite uncommon with stand mixers nowadays.

I decided to put the KitchenAid to the test with something a bit denser, so I whipped up a batch of cookie dough. Just like with the cake, I started by creaming together the butter and sugar. After that, I mixed in the flour, eggs, and vanilla to form a thicker dough. The k-beater handled it effortlessly, combining everything into a smooth ball and even cleaning up the sticky bits from the sides.

As I mixed in the chocolate chips, the Artisan did an excellent job of blending them evenly throughout the dough. The k-beater produced fantastic results!

Test 2: loaf

My next challenge with the Artisan mixer is preparing bread dough. A frequent critique of tilt head stand mixers is that they tend to be less stable when handling denser doughs. However, I found that kneading my usual brown bread recipe posed no issues for the Artisan. For a family-sized loaf, I used 500g of flour, and the mixer remained steady throughout the process. I was absolutely thrilled with how well the Artisan kneaded the dough. In just eight minutes, it achieved a delightful springiness and elasticity, appearing and feeling incredibly smooth. After attempting to knead it by hand, I realized that the Artisan had done an excellent job — the dough was just right.

If you're curious, the bread came out beautifully. It had an excellent crumb and a good rise, largely due to the kneading process. This clearly demonstrates that the Artisan is capable of managing home baking and bread-making tasks effectively. However, if you're planning to bake in larger quantities for commercial purposes, it might be worth considering some alternatives. We can discuss that in more detail later.

Test 3: whipped topping

I wanted to put the Artisan through its paces with two specific tests: whipping cream (both dairy double and a vegan version) and whisking aquafaba (the liquid from chickpeas). Starting with the cream, which is my primary benchmark, I must say the results were impressive. The dairy double cream whipped up into beautiful, smooth peaks in just two minutes on full speed—a quick time for a stand mixer. I added an extra 30 seconds just to be safe, and I was delighted with the outcome. The air was perfectly incorporated, yielding a professional finish. The vegan cream had a similar experience, although it can be a bit trickier. I let it whip for three minutes before checking, and it required an additional minute to ensure the peaks would maintain their structure. Ultimately, I was very satisfied with the results.

Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, has the potential to be whipped into stiff peaks, much like traditional cream. While achieving this by hand can be quite the challenge, it's become a staple in many vegan recipes, prompting me to give it a try. I poured the liquid from one can of chickpeas into the bowl of my Artisan mixer, and I must admit, it didn't look promising at first. Picture a small, murky puddle resting at the bottom of the mixer, and that’s the scene I was faced with. After letting the whisk spin for five minutes, I was amazed to return and find a pale, whipped concoction resembling double cream. It was truly like magic!

Tidying Up

All KitchenAid accessories, including the bowl, are safe to clean in the dishwasher, which simplifies the cleanup process: just load everything in and start the cycle. However, if you're like me, you might be questioning whether hand-washing the parts is a bad idea. The answer is no, dear baker. Your stand mixer comes with a five-year warranty and can be repaired for up to fifteen years. To ensure its longevity, I suggest hand-washing the components. This method reduces wear and tear. Although it may take a little extra time, it's a worthwhile investment for both you and your stand mixer’s future.

I use a soft sponge and a gentle washing-up liquid, such as Method or Ecover. Then, all you need is some warm soapy water and it should all come away clean. If your bread dough has dried onto the bowl (I’ve been there more than I care to admit), leave it to soak for twenty minutes and then come back to it. Simple.

What are the differences?

I teased you with a comparison to a more commercial model earlier, but I have another alternative that’s smaller and cheaper but I think we should talk about it. If you are a professional baker or you make tough dough at home, it’s worth looking at the KitchenAid Artisan 6.6-litre Bowl Lift model. This works using a slightly different mechanism you will lift the bowl up rather than tilt the head of the stand mixer back. this means that you’ll have a more stable base for your baking and by virtue of the design you’ll also get more capacity in the bowl. I generally recommend the bowl mixer for professionals and big homes. You’ll need to be a serious baker to make good use of this. The Artisan is perfect for the everyday baker and smaller Home quantities.

If you like the sound of the KitchenAid, but you’re not ready to give up space on your countertop there are other options to consider. The Kenwood GO Stand Mixer is brand-new to the market. It’s just 30 cm tall and comes with a useful handle on top. Performance wise it’s impressive. This lacks some of the finer details of the Artisan. For example I don’t think it’s as powerful, nor did I find it to be as thorough at mixing right to the bottom of the bowl. However, for half the price is incredible. Don’t think many people would complain about the issues that I’ve raised it’s only because I’m comparing it to the KitchenAid which is the best I’m mixer of all time so if you want to save a little money and space I think you’ll be very happy with the Kenwood Go.

Is it worth purchasing?

The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer stands as the most legendary model in mixing history. During my two weeks of using the Artisan, it quickly became evident why it holds the title of the brand's top seller. While it comes with a higher price tag, this stand mixer is truly an heirloom piece that can be handed down through the years. Its combination of reliability, durability, and chic design makes it perfect for everyday baking, special occasions, and a wide variety of cakes.

Our testing methodology

At woman&home, we have a rigorous process for how we test some mixers not in the least because I am a keen baker so I’ll take any excuse to make cakes bread and whipped cream and call it work. Every stand mixer that I review gets at least two weeks on my countertop. Initially, I’ll put it through three tests that every stand mixer has to go through. Make a cake with the beating attachment; I whip cream with the whisk; and I need bread with the dough hook. This gives me a good gauge of how good the stand mixer is on the basics. With that in mind, I’ll move on to more adventurous bakes and cakes to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the stand mixer. By the end of my test, I'll have a good idea of who this suits and where other stand mixes are better. I’ll compare different models to give you a good gauge of what this is like in terms of value and where it sits in the market.