A History of the KitchenAid Mixer

If you look at any list of recommendations for the best stand mixer, chances are a KitchenAid will be at the very top. But KitchenAid wasn’t always the most popular stand mixer. So how did KitchenAid go from an expensive novelty to one of the most iconic and recommended kitchen appliances for home cooks and professionals alike?
Sources:
“The Exhibition of Machinery and Supplies,” Bakers Review, Oct 1915
“A Few Moments With Our Advertisers,” Bakers Review, Jan 1916
“A New Year’s Letter to Bakers,” Hobart Manufacturing Company, Bakers Review, Jan 1916
“‘Kitchen Aid’ Is Marvelous,” Dayton Daily News, Oct 22, 1922
“Hobart Mixers Are Strong Power Units,” The Tampa Tribune, Mar 25, 1923
“Kitchen Aid Useful,” Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Oct 27, 1926
“KitchenAid Versatile House Maid,” Maurice Horn, Woodland Daily Democrat, May 23, 1928
“What Design Can Do for Industry,” Forbes, Feb 15, 1938
“Book Tells Amazing Career of H.L. Johnson of Troy,” Dayton Daily News, May 15, 1938
“Electric Food Mixers,” Consumer Reports, Apr 1947
“KitchenAid Wins Award,” The Lima News, Jun 2, 1963
“$100 Million Sales Expected At Hobart Co. This Year,” Fred Robbins, Dayton Daily News, Dec 20, 1964
The Cooks’ Catalogue, James Beard, 1975
“KitchenAid Provides Itself Over the Years,” Pierre Franey, The New York Times, Nov 19, 1981
Electrical Appliances, Penny Sparke, 1987
“Some Like It Hot,” Melanie J. Davis, The Courier-News, Oct 14, 1990
International Directory of Company Histories, 1994
“A History of Mixing It All Up,” The Sacramento Bee, Jun 1, 1994
Home Cooking with Amy Coleman, Amy Coleman, Alec Fatalevich, Majorie Poore Productions, 2000
“Mixer Magic,” Ben Sutherland, Dayton Daily News, Jun 3, 2001
“10 Appliances That Shook the World,” Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, Apr 18, 2002
“Take a Spin at Ohio KitchenAid Factory,”Becky Linhardt, Cincinnati Enquirer, Mar 16, 2003
“Design Classics: KitchenAid Mixer,” The Daily Telegraph, Nov 27, 2004
“KitchenAid Incites You to Mingle with Mixers,” Mary Jo Spiegel, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Mar 4, 2007
“The Best Stand Mixer,” Lesley Stockton and Anna Perling, The New York Times Wirecutter, Update November 24, 2021

[@cm5838]

I’m a mechanic and a cheapskate, I tend to like things that last. We were going through 3 or 4 hand mixers a year, I finally ponied up the dough and bought a kitchen aid, nothing fancy just a k45 classic, but this thing has served us very well for the last 10 years kneading dough, mixing everything under the sun and every deer season it is again put to the test grinding meat, a few hundred pounds a year. The mixer is great, the plastic grinding attachment leaves a lot to be desired, I have recently replaced it with a metal off brand one. But the machine is not only ridiculously well built, it is very repairable if something does break in it. So in 10 years at 3 hand mixers a year at $20 per, that’s $600 we would have spent but instead this $300 kitchen aid is still running strong, I’d say it is actually the cheaper option in the long run. I do plan to buy a quality dedicated semi commercial meat grinder as they do grind faster and if I burn it up my wife won’t be upset for ruining her favorite appliance.

[@punkishmortician3907]

Got the 3-C model and has been in my family for 3 generations. Still going strong and hope it stays that way.

[@postholedigger8726]

I purchased a KitchenAid K5A over 50 years ago and it still runs; which is a testament to the quality of the machines produced when Hobart owned KitchenAid. Since then I upgraded to a Hobart N50 and a Globe SP8 which are both small high quality commercial mixers. In 1986 Hobart sold their KitchenAid division to Whirlpool. This was unfortunate for the quality of the mixer as Whirlpool cheapened the internal parts to cut manufacturing costs. A KitchenAid mixer purchased today is lucky to last more than a year. Whirlpool also cheapened the KitchenAid accessories by switching from metal body accessories to plastic body accessories. The plastic accessories are basically junk. They also discontinued manufacturing the #10 pelican head attachment which was the best kitchen accessory ever made. Since then I upgraded to a Hobart N50 and a Globe SP-8. Both mixers can kneed bread dough without straining. This link shows the Globe SP8. To the right of the SP8, under the paper towel rack, is the Hobart N50 with the pelican head mounted to it. The KitchenAid K5A is on the right of the N50. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpOWpJaPhst5a9k This link shows a #10 pelican head mounted to an antique Hobart mixer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIOqq6Oii5JsrZI

[@AnnapolisGirly]

I have the K 5 A. Still going strong. Thanks dad. I use this at least twice a week since 1979. I love that I can still grab it since it’s pretty heavy.

[@bunkyman8097]

I love my KitchenAid! I've had it for 20+ years and have made a ton of pizza dough with it! I couldn't get by without it. Saves so much time.

[@sashineb.2114]

I've had mine since 1989, so its 33 years old and still going strong. Glad to hear you're getting such good results with your mixer, too.

[@hizzlemobizzle]

Ordered my first today!

[@rattlecat5968]

I just found a K5SSAS lift bowl model, 325 watts (though I don't know if it's an A/C or a D/C motor 🤷,)marked only "Heavy Duty" in an off white, almost cream color. It came with the lift bowl (stainless steel) and whip, beater and dough hook, and plastic hinged pour guard. Although the machine was caked with splashed, dried uo food, after I scrubbed it, it looked like nearly new! The motor is a bit loud so I will dissassemble it, clean it out and regrease it, replacing the gaskets. Every so often, I find a KitchenAid mixer at the thrift store that someone has given up on. This is the fourth mixer I've found and will add it to the pale yellow, pale green and white KA45s tilt head KA mixer collection I've amassed over the years. And I've paid only $12, $95, $60 and most recently $75 for these marvelous, second hand diamonds in the rough! Elbow grease and a soft soapy washcloth does wonders! Dating these mixers has become a challenge but, after they're cleaned and given some TLC, they all operate as if taken out of the box! Loved your video and appreciate tge time you spent putting it together! Maybe some research into serial number dating codes could be a consideration for an upcoming video as you really seem to do your homework! Thanks again! 👏

[@chloeruth937]

This video is so fascinating! Thank you for all the work it was to put this together! 💛

[@thevintagecompany]

Thank you! 😊

[@showel22]

I love my KitchenAid. My girlfriend got it for me for my birthday a few years ago. It looks just like yours!

[@buckyb7658]

Seriously, if I had invested in a kitchen aid, I would have saved so much money on crappy food slicer, grater, juicer, meat grinder, pasta maker…..😢😢😢. Not until I researched my first kitchen aid did I discovered all the cool attachments😭😩☹️😞. Now I know what to advise a newly wed…

[@robertknight4672]

I actually have three KitchenAid stand mixers two of them are actually from the Hobart era, 35a and a model 4C which is one of the models that has a rotary speed knob on top instead of the side lever. And I have a more modern ultra power Tilthead. Interestingly a lot of old cookbooks were budget conscious and recipes were often written for the Sunbeam Mixmaster Style with mixer. For example on a Sunbeam Mixmaster if you wanted to whip two egg whites you would need to use the smaller narrower Bowl that the machine came with. KitchenAid planetary action in the divot in the KitchenAid bowl eliminated the need to have a smaller bowl for smal quantities of liquid. The dimple in the KitchenAid bowl to keep ingredients in the path of the beater.

[@thevintagecompany]

Really interesting! Thanks for sharing this info.! 😊

[@sunshinegypsea]

Do the newer attachments work on these vintage mixers?

[@robertknight4672]

​@@sunshinegypsea yes KitchenAid never changed the size of that hub.

[@sunshinegypsea]

@@robertknight4672 ty!!!

[@erinmyles213]

I own a 1940 3B Hobart Kitchenaid & a 1950’s real Copper Hobart Kitchenaid 3 C. They work perfectly!! I bought 2 more for my girls in their farmhouse retro kitchens. Hobart makes the real difference! I have the can opener, knife sharpener, polish/buffer, metal pouring shute all bought on eBay years ago. I paid $25 for the 3B on Facebook marketplace. They are out there folks!! Enjoyed watching your video very much.

[@slim-oneslim8014]

I love the idea of "Farmhouse retro kitchen!" Bet it looks great!

[@jennahope309]

I just got my first kitchen aid- hoping it truly does last a lifetime! Loved this video- learned so much, so excited to pick up some vintage attachments!! Thanks The vintage company! (:

[@thevintagecompany]

Thank you! 😊

[@M_rNobody21]

My KitchenAid MODEL# KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer Candy Apple Red just arrived at my doorstep today!!! It’s amazing!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@slim-oneslim8014]

Mine (same model and color) arrives tomorrow, 10-12. I'm psyched!

[@Alpha8713]

I've had one of these for a few years. It is a great machine.

[@dans.4629]

All of your videos are amazing!

[@paulmellick]

I really do hope your channel takes off. You have certainly done a lot of work on all of your videos. Would you consider doing a video of Washing Machines and the Maytag company?

[@thevintagecompany]

Thank you, Paul! 😊 I'll put Maytag on the list for future videos topics!

[@slim-oneslim8014]

Great look back in time! It has me more excited about the delivery of my MODEL# KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer Candy Apple Red tomorrow!

[@marksilver9291]

I thought the Navy approached Hobart to make a Mixer in 1907 and in 1908 they made a 40 and 60 quart for the navy and changed their logo to "Smooth Sailing with a Hobart Mixer". In 1909 as an experiment they made less tyhan 10 5 quart mixers and gave them to the wives of the engineers to evaluate. They said the mixers were an "Amazing Kitchen Aid"

[@guihuppe]

This is great content!!

[@erguy6319]

Very nice video and very informative. Thank you.

[@thevintagecompany]

Thank you! 😊

[@trishstar5620]

I love mine

[@Johnmiller-gm9lm]

Thanks

[@robertknight4672]

I'm going to make a separate comment just regarding the Citrus Juicer. I have a current citrus juicer which is very similar to the Vintage one here and I can tell the that if you do more than just a few oranges the strainer fills up rather quick anyways. The only real difference with the modern one is it's made out of plastic.

[@sophiekurtyka]

This is great! I'm wondering if you could tell me where I can access the article you referenced; “Book Tells Amazing Career of H.L. Johnson of Troy,” Dayton Daily News, May 15, 1938? Thank you ☺

[@thevintagecompany]

Hi Sophie! 👋I was able to access it using a newspapers.com subscription. Here is a link to the newspaper article: www.newspapers.com/image/400712517/?fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjQwMDcxMjUxNywiaWF0IjoxNjk2MzY4ODUyLCJleHAiOjE2OTY0NTUyNTJ9.xKIIkWVrqOpiljjWM6SeHMYTvfqV9oTwatI01JZpck0&clipping_id=99387111. I hope this helps! ☺

[@billmarquez-ix7yd]

When Hobart corp made the kitchenaids they were the best!!!!!!!! But since whirlpool bought the KitchenAid mixer line from Hobart they are just junk now!!!! No quality standards and lots of consumer dissatisfaction with the mixers that give out quickly they don't last a year now!!!!!!!!

[@ExcelsiorElectric]

Wait, what happened to the model "F"?