One of the most annoying parts of using a stand mixer is realizing that the paddle has missed most of the mix at the edges of the bowl. You either have to mix for twice as long or use a spatula to finish the job yourself.
If your best KitchenAid stand mixer is guilty of this, there's a shockingly easy fix, expert bakers reveal, and all you need is a coin and a screwdriver. No fancy tools or mechanical skills required.
Here's how you can use the dime trick to ensure even mixing in minutes.
How To Use The Dime Trick For Even Mixing
Christina Karras, expert baker and founder of Dolce by Tina, says that the dime trick really is one of the best basic maintenance tasks you can run on your stand mixer. 'If the beater isn’t adjusted properly, you’ll often notice ingredients sticking to the bottom of the bowl or uneven mixing. This small adjustment can make a huge difference in how well everything comes together,' she explains.
While your KitchenAid stand mixer may have been perfectly adjusted straight out of the box, over time, vibrations, heavy loads, and adding and removing different attachments can slowly alter the alignment. It's normal, even if it is frustrating.
Using the dime trick is a quick way to make the minor adjustments needed to get the most out of a stand mixer:
- Drop a dime (or any small coin) into your clean stand mixer, positioning it towards the bottom edge of the bowl, and lower the head with the paddle attachment.
- Turn the stand mixer on a slow speed and watch the coin. If it does not move, then the head adjustment is too high, and you need to lower it.
- Lift the stand mixer head again and use a screwdriver (available from Walmart) to gently loosen the bolt at the base of the head a small amount, turning anti-clockwise a fraction of a turn. Christina advises, 'The key is making small adjustments. Always start by unplugging the mixer, then turn the adjustment screw just a quarter turn at a time and re-test with the dime. You want the beater to gently move the coin, not hit the bowl. Going slowly helps avoid over-adjusting and keeps the mixer in great shape over time.'
- Repeat the test by lowering the head and running the paddle on slow again. If the coin still doesn't remove, repeat the adjustment.
- When the coin is moved gently around the bowl's edge, your stand mixer is perfectly aligned. Wash the bowl and paddle before using them for food again.
While you may have to repeat this process a few times over the life of your KitchenAid stand mixer, Christina says you shouldn't have to do it often. 'It’s really only necessary if something feels off while you’re mixing, or if you notice ingredients aren’t incorporating the way they normally do.'
If your stand mixer head is very wobbly, always moving, or stutters when mixing and small adjustments don't rectify the problem, it may be a sign you need to service your kitchen appliances or, in the worst case, replace your old appliances.
What to Shop
This handy-to-have screwdriver comes with Philips, slotted, nut driver, and star attachments, so you don't have to clutter your kitchen drawers with several tools. It is one of the more unusual but just as essential items every home cook should have in their kitchen to repair wobbly stand mixer heads and pan handles quickly.
This edge-scraping paddle attachment can reduce your mixing time when used on your KitchenAid 4. 5 and 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer, making sure no bits are left unmixed, especially when used in a perfectly adjusted stand mixer.
This all-in-one bread baking set allows you to easily mix, knead, proof, and bake with the bowl and lid. This set pairs seamlessly with all KitchenAid 4.5 and 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixers and can go right in the oven up to temperatures of 500°F. It's dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, too.
This handy attachment fits all 5, 5.5, and 6 Quart KitchenAid Bowl-Lift Stand Mixers with stainless steel bowls (besides the KN25WPBH model), to help prevent having to clean your whole kitchen after whipping up a treat.
We gave the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart five stars in our review. It is one of the best stand mixers for quick mixing, ease of use, and the range of attachments. Plus, its sleek design means it looks fantastic on your counter.
Is your whisk attachment looking a little worse for wear? If you notice bent, loose, or broken wires, if it is no longer holding its shape, it might be time for a replacement.
Meet the Expert
Want to get the most out of your KitchenAid? Next, learn how to use the KitchenAid stand mixer attachments to get the most bang for your buck on these investment appliances.
