Choosing a KitchenAid - Reviews of KitchenAid Stand Mixers / Strainers and Attachements for Home Canning
Choosing a KitchenAid - Reviews of KitchenAid Stand Mixers / Strainers and Attachements for Home Canning
Selecting a KitchenAid mixer is relatively easy. Below is a selection
across the KitchenAid model line, all of which are good for home canning.
The KitchenAid model range usually is (it may vary over time):
The essential differences are the motor power, the size of the bowl
and whether the mixing head tilts back for elevates straight up. Of
these, the most important is power. Quite simply, the more powerful, the
better, because the extra power allows the device to move the food faster and
handle more difficult foods easier. But it is a matter of budge and
affordability, too. But I will point out that these last more than a lifetime;
my 86-year-old mother gave her basic model KitchenAid ( a wedding gift in in
1952) to my sister a few years ago, and it is still going strong!
Below are a few of the current models that stand out:
VERY GOOD: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (K45SS)
This one is often on sale around Christmas at Costco.
It works well at all tasks. If you spend hours at a
time using it, like I do, all day making 100 quarts of
applesauce, you might want a more powerful model.
See the seller's website for more features, pricing and user reviews!
BETTER: KitchenAid KSM150PS Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield
I upgraded to this model. It has more power and
churns through heavier tasks without straining. I use
it for making applesauce, using the seive grinder attachment
to separate the skins, seeds and stems from the apple pulp.
It vastly speeds up the process over uising a hand seive
like a Foley food mill or lower powered devices, like
Villaware seives. I can make and can 100 quarts of
applesauce in one day (10 am to 11 pm) using this!
See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!
BEST VALUE: Factory-Reconditioned KitchenAid RRK150ER
Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red (or other colors)
Same device, just remanufacturer so it costs much less,
but still has a warranty.
Reconditioned by the manufacturer
325-watt mixer with 10 speeds;
Tilt-back head for easy access to mixture
Includes flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip;
pouring shield not included
BEST: KitchenAid KP2671XWH Professional 6-Quart Stand
Mixer, White
This one has 600 watts of power and the head lifts
straight up. Lots of power to handle any task.
See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!
KitchenAid Attachments: Food Strainer
Add these to any of the KitchenAid's above, and in
addition to the mixer dough maker and other attachments
included you can make applesauce with ease, strain seeds
from blackberries, make seedless/skinless tomato sauce and
ketchup, make sausage grind and strain all kinds of fruits,
vegetables and meats.
If you make more than a dozen jars of applesauce per
year, it's worth it for that alone!
I've had mine for 20 years and make about 120 quarts of
applesauce every year with it, so I know it works and holds
up!
To use the strainer you will ALSO need the grinder, to
which the strainer attaches. See the next item below:
Above: The food grinder alone
Above: The food grinder plus the sieve
Kitchen Aid Attachments: Food Grinder
You can buy the food grinder by itself, or bundled with
the food strainer / sieve. If you have neither,
obviously, the bundled package is the best value!
I've had mine for 20 years and make about 120 quarts of
applesauce every year with it, so I know it works and holds
up!
Grinder plus the sieve strainer
Kitchen Aid
Attachments: KitchenAid RVSA Slicer/Shredder Attachment for
Stand Mixers
Features
Includes two shredding cones, fine and coarse
Includes two slicing cones, thin and thick
Each works in conjunction with plastic housing
and metal shaft
Works with all KitchenAid household stand mixers
Instruction book includes uses for cones and
recipes
Kitchen Aid
Attachments: Mixer Attachment Pack for Stand Mixers
Features
Includes food grinder, slicer and shredder, and
fruit and vegetable strainer
Grinder has fine and coarse grinding blades
Two slicing and two shredding cones included
Can be used with any KitchenAid stand mixer
Most parts are dishwasher-safe
Kitchen Aid Attachments:
Ice Cream Maker Attachment
No need to buy a separate ice cream maker when you can
just get this attachment for your KitchenAid.
Kitchen Aid Attachments:
Pasta Roller
And with this attachment, you can make your own fresh
pasta.
Features
Stainless-steel set includes pasta roller,
fettuccine cutter, and linguine fine cutter
Fit all KitchenAid stand mixers
Clean with included wooden cleaning brush and
toothpicks
Attachments measure approximately 9 by 3 inches
1-year warranty; made in Italy
Kitchen Aid
Attachments: SNFGA Pasta Maker
Features
Makes five different kinds of pasta
Use with any KitchenAid household stand mixer
Includes storage case, cleaning tool, and food
grinder attachment