Why Is Oil Leaking from a KitchenAid Stand Mixer?

Iconic in each aesthetics and efficiency, KitchenAid stand mixers have long been a favorite of Critical Eats editors and contributors—however they don’t come low cost. Whether or not you go for a Basic, Artisan, or Skilled mannequin (our choose is the Professional 600 Series), the market’s most recognizable stand mixer is an funding. 

Initially, this bodes properly for frequent use. “When I’ve a KitchenAid mixer, I’ll use it continuously,” we insist prior to buy, visions of whipped egg whites and completely taut bread doughs skittering by our minds. So, we purchase. And we do use it! And we do adore it! However, there are occasions in each baker’s life when, merely and for no matter cause, you are not baking quite a bit.

And this wouldn’t technically be an issue if it weren’t for the truth that stand mixers—KitchenAid fashions specifically—are little machines. They’ve shifting components and greased gears and a purposeful design meant to, you already know, transfer round, so remaining in a state of disuse for too lengthy can really trigger issues—together with oil leaks. (Editor’s observe: one Critical Eats staffer has skilled their KitchenAid mixer leaking oil after it wasn’t used for a number of months—so we’re not simply theorizing right here.)

Why Does Oil Separate in a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, and How Do I Stop It?

Luckily, KitchenAid has wonderful resource pages and is up-front about the truth that their stand mixers could, the truth is, leak oil sooner or later. 

“The mixer is filled with sufficient stable grease to final the lifetime of the machine,” KitchenAid’s product help pages learn. “When the mixer is used, the grease is distributed across the gears to lubricate them.”

When the mixer isn’t used, nonetheless, that grease can separate and trigger oil to settle into the bottom level of the motor. This oil separation can visibly manifest as drops within the mixing bowl (or on the bottom itself, for those who don’t retailer your mixer with the bowl connected), or with oil leaking out of both the beater shaft or the levers that management mixing velocity and the headlock place.

“That is extra prone to occur in heat climate and if the mixer isn’t used fairly often,” KitchenAid says. “Utilizing a mixer often could stop this from occurring.”

In different phrases, it’s a great transfer to plug in your stand mixer and let it run briefly sometimes—each few weeks is best than nothing—even for those who aren’t baking with it. KitchenAid recommends bumping up the velocity to 10 and letting issues whirl round for 2 minutes earlier than turning off the mixer and wiping down any errant oil drops that will have escaped the housing. 

However, Alas! My KitchenAid Mixer is Leaking Oil—How Do I Repair It?

First off—don’t panic. KitchenAid makes use of solely food-grade grease of their stand mixers and it’s completely secure ought to the oil come into contact with meals. It would look form of gross, but it surely should not make you sick.

And, in accordance with KitchenAid, oil separation doesn’t hurt the mixer, both. It’s as much as you whether or not you want to do something about it or not.

“It isn’t needed so as to add oil to the mixer as common upkeep,” the web site says. “If the mixer sounds ‘regular’ and isn’t grinding, it may possibly proceed for use.” 

That mentioned, if the thought of a drippy, oily mixer doesn’t align along with your long-term beliefs, the machine may be fastened—but it surely’ll should be serviced by a correct KitchenAid service facility. If you happen to’re experiencing oil separation in a stand mixer that is not from KitchenAid, contact your mixer’s producer for subsequent steps.

Oil separation can appear to be a “Very Dangerous Factor,” but it surely doesn’t must spell the top of the highway for the one that you love mixer! Since prevention is the perfect remedy, both vow to really use your mixer extra typically, or not less than get within the behavior of switching it on for a few minutes every so often to maintain issues good and greased up. And, once more, the actual fact KitchenAid’s stand mixers are constructed like precise machines (with steel gears and inside workings and, sure, grease) speaks to their high quality and energy—two of the explanations we like them a lot.

FAQs

What’s the perfect KitchenAid stand mixer?

Truthfully, you may’t go unsuitable with any mannequin. However if you wish to spring for our favorite stand mixer, we’re large followers of the KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer.

Is a KitchenAid stand mixer price it?

Sure! Whereas we will’t precisely communicate to your utilization habits, in our expertise, by the point somebody is on the level of significantly contemplating a KitchenAid stand mixer, it’s secure to say that the acquisition is price it. KitchenAid stand mixers are the trade customary with good cause—they appear nice and, extra importantly, they’re actual workhorses and might final a lifetime. 

Who repairs KitchenAid stand mixers?

To make sure optimum service and preserve any warranties intact, reach out to KitchenAid as your first plan of action ought to your stand mixer wants repairs.