The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is a culinary powerhouse, and this 2022 review delves into its impressive features and performance. This iconic mixer, renowned for its quality and style, receives a significant upgrade with the addition of a premium accessory pack and a second, smaller bowl. From its sleek, brushed metal finish to its powerful 10-speed motor, every detail has been meticulously considered to enhance the baking experience. This review explores the mixer's capabilities in handling various doughs and batters, examining the effectiveness of each included attachment.We'll uncover the benefits of the dual-bowl system, the improved pouring shield, and the superior performance of the new attachments. Expect a comprehensive assessment of the mixer’s power, versatility, and ease of use, ultimately determining whether this updated Artisan model lives up to its legendary reputation and whether it's a worthwhile investment for serious bakers and home cooks alike. Prepare to discover why the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer remains a top contender in the world of stand mixers.
Pros And Cons
- Powerful enough to handle various baking tasks (350 watts)
- Includes two mixing bowls (5-quart and 3.5-quart)
- Premium accessory pack with pastry beater, flex edge beater, dough hook, wire whip, pouring shield, and dough scraper
- Updated design with brushed metal finish
- Durable gray attachments
- Newly designed pouring shield fits securely and prevents splattering
- Flex edge beater scrapes the sides of the bowl
- Dough hook is easy to use and handles dough effectively
- Can leave dough in the bowl for a few minutes and let the mixer work
- Handles heavy-duty mixing tasks when speed is increased
- Pastry beater struggled slightly with very cold butter
Read more: Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer Review: Best Stand Mixer for 2024?
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer arrived in its signature box, a sleek and stylish presentation. The mineral water blue color is more of a brushed metal finish than a high-gloss, giving it a retro, sophisticated look that I found quite appealing. The included premium accessory pack was a significant draw, promising expanded functionality and convenience.
Out of the box, the quality immediately became apparent. The feel of the metal is substantial and the finish is durable. It included not only the five-quart bowl but also a smaller 3.5-quart bowl, offering versatility for different baking projects. This attention to detail in both aesthetics and quality immediately set it apart.
Premium Accessory Pack and Performance
The premium accessory pack contains a pastry beater, flex edge beater, dough hook, and wire whip—all in a sophisticated gray color. The newly designed pouring shield was a welcome addition, providing excellent protection against splattering while mixing. The quality and feel of the attachments felt superior to previous iterations and a noticeable improvement in sturdiness.
The 10-speed motor with 350 watts of power proved more than adequate for all my baking needs. I effortlessly whipped up cookie dough, handled dense pizza dough, and even tackled the challenging task of incorporating cold butter into pastry dough, though the pastry beater struggled slightly with truly ice-cold butter.
Dual Bowl Convenience and Pouring Shield
The inclusion of two bowls drastically improved my workflow. I could pre-mix dry ingredients in the smaller bowl while preparing wet ingredients in the larger bowl. This minimized mess and maximized efficiency, streamlining the baking process considerably. The transition between bowls was seamless and intuitive.
The newly designed pouring shield effectively prevented splatter while adding ingredients. It is very securely fixed to the bowl and the additional plastic features seem to prevent spillage from all angles. The shield was particularly helpful when incorporating chocolate chips into cookies and similar additions.
Dough Hook and Flex Edge Beater
The dough hook handled pizza dough with ease, kneading it to perfection without requiring any manual intervention. The auto-mixing feature ensured the dough was evenly mixed, and the strong motor handled the thicker consistency very well. Letting the mixer run unattended for a few minutes allowed it to thoroughly incorporate all the ingredients.
The flex edge beater provided excellent scraping capabilities. Its design ensures the sides of the bowl are cleaned during mixing, preventing any wasted batter and saving the need for constant scraping. The beater performed admirably in both cookies and other lighter mixes.
Cold Butter Incorporation and Final Thoughts
While the pastry beater worked exceptionally well with semi-cold butter, it did struggle slightly with truly ice-cold butter straight from the freezer. However, increasing the mixer speed quickly resolved this issue, showcasing the power and responsiveness of the motor.
Overall, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is a reliable and versatile kitchen appliance. The improved aesthetics, the inclusion of the premium accessory pack, and the dual-bowl convenience make this a significant upgrade. The additional features enhance its functionality, and the overall design and performance are truly impressive.
