KitchenAid Heavy Duty Mixer Review

A stand mixer is an essential tool if you are looking to level up your baking game. These handy machines allow you to mix ingredients together quickly and evenly, without ever having to get your hands dirty. This is especially important when you’re working with wet dough or large quantities of batter, as they can be difficult to mix by hand. A good stand mixer can save you a lot of time and effort in the kitchen – so investing in a quality machine is worth its weight in gold.

Of all the stand mixer manufacturers on the market, KitchenAid has built one of the best reputations for making high-quality mixers, with over a dozen models to choose from.

Their Heavy Duty stand mixer is no exception. This mixer has bucket loads of power, more than enough to handle any baking task you throw at it. It also comes with several attachments and a large-capacity mixing bowl – either 5-quarts or 7-quarts – depending on which model you opt for. All in all, the KitchenAid Heavy Duty stand mixer is a great choice for any baker.

Before I start my KitchenAid Heavy Duty Mixer review, it is worth noting that the Heavy Duty (HD) is only available in the UK, Europe, and Asia. The equivalent mixer in the USA is the Pro-Line or the Professional 5, depending on the bowl capacity you are looking for.

KitchenAid Heavy Duty Specs

The first thing you need to know about the Heavy Duty stand mixer is that there are two different models – the 6.9L and 4.8L capacity. The differences between these two machines go much further than their bowl capacity. Here’s a quick look at the specs of each of the Heavy Duty models.

As you can already see, there are some pretty big differences between each of these machines. If you are looking for a mixer suitable for home use, the motor of both of these machines is more than enough for every baking task. The bowl-lift mechanism ensures that it’s easy to use too. Plus, with a die-cast exterior and all-metal gear system this stand mixer has an impressive life expectancy.

KitchenAid Heavy Duty Mixer Review

What do you get in the box?

What I really love about both of the KitchenAid Heavy Duty mixers is their versatility. With their diverse range of attachments, you can do so many different things with these machines. First, let’s look at the standard attachments that come in the box with these mixers.

Of course, the universal hub that all KitchenAid stand mixers have is compatible with over 15 additional attachments. These include:

-A pasta roller and cutter for making different kinds of fresh pasta at home

-A food grinder for grinding meat, vegetables, and hard cheese

-An ice cream maker for making frozen desserts like sorbet or gelato

-A vegetable slicer/shredder that can cut and shred vegetables for salads or soups

-A spiralizer attachment that turns fruits and veggies into long, spaghetti-like strands! (Vegetable Spaghetti!)

I recently compiled a list of every KitchenAid attachment, so if you are interested in finding out more about the multi-purpose accessories, make sure to take a look at that! KitchenAid has over 90 different attachments that will either attach in the universal hub, the base, and the rotating shaft.

Motor and Speed

As already mentioned, the KitchenAid Heavy Duty 6.9L comes with a 500-watt DC motor. This is actually the most powerful motor KitchenAid currently manufacture and is capable of producing a massive 1.3 BHP output. This is the same motor used on the KitchenAid Commercial model, so you know this is more than enough power for most baking tasks, including kneading bread and pizza dough. Because of that beefy motor, this machine is a popular choice with professional bakers and commercial kitchens.

The Heavy Duty 4.8L, on the other hand, uses a slightly smaller 315-watt AC motor. While this is still more than enough power to handle mixing and kneading dough for the larger households, it’s less popular as an option for commercial kitchens.

You may have noticed that the 8.9L uses a DC motor, while the 4.8L uses an AC motor. This is important because the amount of torque a motor can produce is directly proportional to current. Alternating current, as the name suggests, provides an inconsistent level of current. This means that if you had two motors of the same size, one using AC and the other DC, the DC machine will produce a greater level of torque. Not only will the DC mixer have superior power, but it will also be quieter and be more energy-efficient.

Regardless of which Heavy Duty stand mixer you choose, like every KitchenAid mixer, they both use a direct drive transmission with a planetary mixing action. The planetary motion means that the beater rotates around the edge of the bowl, as well as orbiting around the center. This helps to both mix and fold ingredients evenly, offering a far quicker and superior mix than a rotary electric mixer would.

The direct-drive transmission is also a significantly more efficient way to transfer energy generated from the motor compared to a belt-drive transmission. While you might see cheaper stand mixers boasting an 800-watt motor, don’t be fooled into thinking this is going to be a more powerful machine. The chances are it’s using a belt drive transmission (and plastic gears) that will significantly impact the output torque.

As with every KitchenAid stand mixer, both Heavy Duty mixers have 10-speed settings to choose from. The slowest speed is great for delicate tasks like kneading dough, while the highest speed is perfect for creaming butter and whipping egg whites. One small downside to the KitchenAid stand mixers is that they don’t have a pulse button, although this isn’t a huge dealbreaker, as you can just use the speed control to get the desired effect.

Noise Level

So, how noisy is the KitchenAid Heavy Duty?

In honesty, no mixer is going to be completely silent. While you might hear a few complaints or negative reviews about the noise of KitchenAid mixers, I have found that excessive noise is usually caused by people are using the wrong settings or attachments for their baking tasks. For example, some users try to make cookie dough with a whisk and their mixers start screaming at them.

I have also found that many people knead bread dough on a high-speed setting, causing the mixer to really struggle and sound like it’s about to take off. doing this also runs the risk of burning out your mixer. The key to keeping the noise level at bay is to use the right speed for the right mixture. 

Overall, I haven’t found the KitchenAid Heavy Duty mixer to be any noisier than other stand mixers on the market but it certainly increases in noise the more tough the ingredients are.

Capacity

I’m sure I don’t need to say this again, but the HD comes in two different sizes: a five-quart and seven-quart bowl. The 7 quarts bowl comes with a handle on the side of the bowl so you can easily move it around when attached to your stand mixer or transferring batters.

I personally find that five quarts are more than enough for most baking tasks, but if you do need a larger capacity then go for seven quarts! The dimensions of the bowls are:

Five quarts = 11.25″ wide by 13.75″ high

Seven quarts = 12.375″ wide by 14″ high

How many cookies can you make at once?

The KitchenAid Heavy Duty mixer has a capacity of up to nine dozen standard-sized cookies in one batch. This is definitely enough for most home bakers!

You might find it difficult to mix smaller amounts, like two egg whites. It might struggle to reach the bottom of the bowl. But, there is a solution for this.

KitchenAid offers smaller bowls that can be used specifically for smaller batches. These bowls have a capacity of just three quarts, so they’re perfect for when you don’t need to make a lot of cookies or dough. These bowls are sold separately and will come at an extra cost.

Use and Functionality

The mixer is very easy to set up and use. The bowl, attachments, and splash guard all fit together well and there haven’t been any problems with them coming loose during mixing.

All the buttons are clearly labeled and it’s easy to understand what each one does. The speed control dial has ten different settings, so you can always find the right setting for your baking task.

The bowl-lift mechanism is really easy to use and it’s also very secure. The mixer won’t move around on the countertop, even when you’re kneading dough or using the whisk attachment.

As with most mixers, it won’t pick up all the ingredients from the bowl, so you will need to scrape down the sides every so often. If you want to combat this, then you can buy the flex edge beater. This attachment helps to scrape down the sides of the bowl and it also cuts mixing time by up to 50%!

How good is it with bread dough?

The mixer is really good at kneading bread dough. I have used it to make both white and whole wheat bread dough and it has worked really well every time.

It also comes with a spiral dough hook which is more efficient for kneading dough as it pushes the dough up and over itself, rather than just mixing it around.

With the hook attachment, you can make up to four loaves of bread at a time.

Weight and Size

The HD weighs around 28 pounds (13kg), so it’s not the lightest mixer on the market. But, I think the weight is a good indication of its sturdiness.

It measures 17.25″ wide by 14.25″ deep by 21″ high, so it takes up quite a bit of counter space. If you’re short on kitchen storage or don’t have a large countertop, this might not be the best option for you.

I think the size and weight are a trade-off for their durability and power.

Cleaning and Maintenance

The HD stand mixer has an all-metal construction, which is great because it won’t warp over time or melt when exposed to high temperatures like plastic can do! However, this means that cleaning could be a bit more of a challenge.

The bowl and nylon-coated flat beater and dough hook can all go in the dishwasher. However, the wire whip will need to be washed by hand. I also recommend occasionally wiping down the body of the mixer with a microfiber cloth. Make sure you don’t get any water inside the motor as it could cause damage.

Price

Price is a big factor when it comes to deciding whether or not to buy any KitchenAid product. KitchenAid doesn’t have the cheapest mixers on the market, but you do get what you pay for, which is a durable mixer that will last for years.

The HD 4.8L mixer can be found on the KitchenAid website for £599 and the 6.8L for £799. You can find them slightly cheaper on Amazon.

If you are looking for the US equivalent, the Professional 5 comes at $499 on Amazon and on the KitchenAid website at a slightly cheaper price of $429.99. The Pro Line comes out at $649.99 on KitchenAid.com.

Should you buy the Heavy Duty mixer?

All in all, the KitchenAid Heavy Duty mixer is a great appliance that will last for years. It has a lot of power and comes with a range of attachments to suit any baking task. The only downside is its size and weight, which might not be suitable for everyone. But if you have the storage space and are looking for a mixer that is built to last, then the HD mixer is a great option.

If you don’t bake often or bake in smaller quantities, then the KitchenAid Classic or Artisan mixer might be a better option for you. They are smaller and lighter, making them more convenient for everyday use.