My dog and my KitchenAid Artisan mixer. Those are the two things I would run for if the house burst up in flames.
Truth be told, I fell in love with the little rascal for its looks – it would appear I’m not the only one.
Retro is not usually my style, but the Artisan’s flawless design is a wonder to behold, so much so that it has become an icon of design. By the time I realized that he had turned into my favorite sous-chef, it was too late – he’d made himself indispensable!
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Artisan KitchenAid Mixer Main Features
Head Type: These stand mixers feature a locking tilt-head design which makes it easier to access the beaters, reach inside the bowl or remove it from its base. Make sure you plan for extra clearing space to allow the head to swing backwards.
Planetary Mixing Action: KitchenAid’s trademarked planetary mixing action is designed so that the beater spirals to 59 different touch points within the bowl for the highest beater-to-bowl coverage in the industry. Maximum mixing efficiency, faster results – don’t know about you, but I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat right now! 😉
Mixing Speeds: This kitchen mixer’s 10-Speed Solid-State Control with direct-drive transmission ranges from a very slow stir to a very fast whip, providing greater control when adding ingredients. Greater speed selection and control also makes it easier to achieve perfect results.
Direct Drive Transmission: For the technically challenged like myself: Direct drive transmission is more efficient than regular transmission in that it requires less space and fewer parts to move power, which explains why a relatively small appliance can be so powerful. At least that’s my take on it, and I stand by it. What I can say for sure is that my Artisan packs one hell of a punch.
Warranty: All Artisan series mixers come with a one-year warranty.
KitchenAid Mixer Artisan Colors
It might be fair to say that the majority of people looking at these little beauties check color first: can they find one that will coordinate perfectly with their kitchen – or perhaps offer a stark contrast? Let me tell you right now, whatever color scheme you may have in mind, you won’t be disappointed. KitchenAid does not shy away from color; in fact, they approach color with gusto. Just take a look at their current color breakdown by series:
.5-qt KSM150 (26)
.5-qt Custom Metallic KSM152 (3)
.5-qt Artisan Design Series KSM155 (3)
.5-qt with Glass Bowl and Flex Edge Beater KSM105 (13)
.3.5-qt Artisan Mini Series KSM3311 (4)
Raging fans are quite vocal about their favorite color. In fact, it is often the first feature they mention in their reviews, and many own the Artisan in more than one color. If you can’t find a Kitchen Aid Artisan to coordinate with your kitchen, it might be time for a kitchen makeover…
KitchenAid Artisan Mixer Series
KSM150PS Artisan
Motor: 325 watts
Dimensions: 13.9″H x 8.7″W x 14.1″D
Weight: 26 lbs
Bowl: 5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl with Comfort Handle
Includes: coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, pouring shield
Click here to check out the KitchenAid KSM150PS Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield.
KSM155GB Artisan Design
Motor: 325 watts
Dimensions: 13 15/16″H x 8 3/4″W x 14 1/8″D
Weight: 29 lbs
Bowl: 5 Quart Glass Bowl with Measurement Markings & Comfort Handle
Includes: burnished flat beater, burnished dough hook, 6-Wire Whip
Click here to check out the KitchenAid KSM155 Stand Mixer, 5 quart.
KSM3311X Artisan Mini
Motor: 250 watts
Dimensions: 12.3″H x 7.8″W x 12.3″D
Weight: 18 lbs
Bowl: 3.5 Quart Brushed Stainless Steel Bowl *
Includes: coated flat beater, coated dough hook, wire whip
This relative newcomer is perfect for small spaces. While the KitchenAid Mini stand mixer can still make up to 5 dozen cookies in a single batch like any other Artisan, it features the same motor power as the Classic (250 watts) though it comes with a 20% smaller footprint and is 25% lighter than the Classic.
Click here to check out the KitchenAid KSM3311X Artisan Mini Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 3.5 quart.
Though not technically called ‘Artisan’, the following two models act like perfect imposters with their own tantalizing quirks:
KSM152PS Custom Metallic with Pouring Shield
Motor: 325 watts
Dimensions: 13 15/16″H x 8 3/4″W x 14 1/8″D
Weight: 27 lbs
Bowl: 5 Quart Polished Stainless Steel Bowl with Comfort Handle
Includes: coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, pouring shield
Click here to check out the KitchenAid KSM152 5-Qt. Custom Metallic Series.
KSM105GB with Glass Bowl and Flex Edge Beater
Motor: 300 watts
Dimensions: 13″H x 11″W x 14″D
Weight: 24 lbs
Bowl: 5 Quart Glass Bowl with Measurement Markings & Comfort Handle
Includes: flex edge beater, burnished metal dough hook, 6-wire whip
The flexible edge of the flex edge beater is designed to reduce mixing time and eliminate the need for manually scraping ingredients down the side of the bowl.
Click here to check out the KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer KSM105GB.
KitchenAid Artisan Attachments (Optional)
No matter which model you fall in love with, you will notice an attachment hub with a hinged cover located at the front of the mixer right above the KitchenAid logo – pure genius! This little hub is the hidden operation center of every KitchenAid stand mixer and literally turns your mixer into a Swiss army knife (and saves you storage space in the process), and allows you to use any of the following attachments:
Food Grinder FGA
Sausage Stuffer Kit SSA (works with FGA)
Fruit & Vegetable Strainer Parts FVSP (works with FGA)
Fruit & Vegetable Strainer & Grinder FVSFGA (works with FGA)
FGA Mixer Attachment Pack 1 FPPA
FGA Gourmet Specialty Attachment Pack 2 KGSSA
FGA Mixer Attachment Pack w/ Citrus Juicer Pack 3 KN12AP
Spiralizer KSM1APC
Spiralizer Plus KSM2APC
Fresh Prep Slicer/Shredder KSMVSA
All Metal Grain Mill KGM
Rotor Slicer & Shredder RVSA
Masticating Juicer & Sauce KSM1JA
Food Processor KSM1FPA
Food Processor + Dicing Kit KSM2FPA
Ice Cream Maker KICA
Citrus Juicer JE
Pasta Excellence Kit KPEX
Ravioli Maker KRAV
Pasta Extruder KPEXTA
Pasta Roller & Cutter KPRA
Pasta Cutter Set KPCA
Pasta Roller KPSA
Find out more about KitchenAid mixer attachments and pasta attachments here.
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer Reviews
Pros
That rogue on my countertop has got that dangerous gleam about him: challenge me if you dare! And over the past fifteen years I have done just that. Cookie dough, cake mixes, whipped cream, meringues, homemade dog food – you name it, and this mixer has done it without ever flinching. But don’t just take my word for it. Thousands of Amazon customers report being extremely pleased with their purchase. These are the main features they praise:
Color Selection: The fantastic array of colors makes it easy to complement any décor or provide a splash of color for contrast.
Tilt-Head Design: Offers better access to the bowl and beaters.
Bowl: The ergonomically designed bowl is broader than the Classic’s (except for the Mini food mixer), providing better access and sports a comfort handle for easier maneuverability, specially for weaker hands.
Accessories: Nylon coated flat beaters and dough hooks are dishwasher proof.
The pouring shield (KSM150PS, KSM152PS) helps avoid splashing when adding dry or liquid ingredients.
Dimensions: The Artisan’s height usually allows it to fit under top cabinets.
Optional Attachments: As with any of the KitchenAid mixers, the option to purchase separate attachments in order to increase versatility is a huge plus, resulting in savings of money and storage space.
Manufacturing: Good quality made in the USA.
Cons
Weight: Some may feel that the 24- to 29-lb weight (excluding the Mini) can make it hard to cart in and out of storage, though that weight also makes it stable.
Power: The 300- to 325-watt motor may not be the best choice if you love baking and favor heavier bread or pizza doughs.
Accessories: For heavy bakers, the spiral dough hook of the Professional may perform better.
…but WHICH Artisan to choose?
The following KitchenAid Artisan 5-qt stand mixers have mixing bowls that are large enough to accommodate double recipes, and their powerful motor (300/325-watt) can handle just about anything you throw at it:
. the Artisan KSM150 with its rainbow of colors has proven the most popular;
. the Artisan Design KSM155 with its lovely glass bowl has its own group of raging fans;
. the Custom Metallic KSM152 lags behind, probably due in part to its price tag.
The KSM105 series with its 300-watt motor and flex edge beater has proven itself with enthusiastic bakers who appreciate having less scraping to do.
The KSM3311 Mini is leaving a blazing trail behind as it is a perfect fit for homes that are getting smaller and smaller. But then, with one sous-chef named ‘Hot Sauce’ equipped with a 250-watt motor and a smaller yet respectable 3.5-qt bowl, what else would you expect…?
The major challenge with the Kitchen Aid Artisan stand mixer is choosing a color which some creative souls have solved by purchasing more than one! Consider this: even if you don’t cook much, a gorgeous Artisan basking in the limelight on your countertop will make you look like a pro… Either way, let’s hope that this review has helped shed light on my kitchen sweetheart.
For those of you who are passionate about bread making or love churning out pizzas, you might want to have a look at our review of the KitchenAid Professional 600 stand mixer which comes equipped with a spiral dough hook and a more powerful motor – perfect for heavy, sticky bread dough.
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