Where do you keep the Kitchen Aid mixer?

[vicki_vale]

I am re-organizing the kitchen and have received a Kitchen Aid mixer, which weighs a ton. I am not crazy about having a permanent parking space for it on our limited countertop space.

As an alternative, I am considering parking it on a roll-out drawer in the pantry but it's so damn heavy I'm afraid it will break the drawer tracks.

I am interested to know what works for you.

[Candy]

On the counter, in my baking area.

[justaladyintx]

I know this is an old thread but I just remodeled my kitchen and my KA was the first thing I thought about....Where do I put this HEAVY thing. Its too heavy to lugg very far. So Mine is on a pull out shelve under a long counter we built. Just have to lift up to the counter and a plug is right there. I really don't use my KA mixer much, I think because its too much for me. But I won't part with it. My husband surprized me with it one day.

[Handyguy]

I have an island counter i keep it on, tucked to one end until i need it. as far as moving it. i took some velcro (the fuzzy half) with self adhesive on one side cut some 1/2 inch squares and stuck them onto the rubber feet of the mixer. now i just slide it around without scratching the countertop. most mixing it stays put. i havent tried it with heavy dough yet. i recomend watching it to ensure it dosent walk across the counter top before leaving the mixer unattended. after your done just slide it back to where you store it.

[phreon]

I have a fair amount of counter space and the KA would eat up cabinet space dozens of dishes/bowls/containers can occupy . Also, since it's so danged heavy, minimal movement is a primary concern. Besides, how could I hide away a gleaming bright red piece of American machinery like a KA Pro 5+ ?

[lkeyes]

i only have four bottom cabinets in my small manhattan kitchen. my KA sits under the sink as it is the only space tall enough for it. i bought one of those heavy cloth KA covers for it. and there it sits. heavy to get out? yes. but i'd rather get some exercise than have it take up 15% of my usable counter space.
as for the corner space in on my counter as the poster was asking above: it is my coffee "station". i have the drip, burr grinder, mason jar of beans, and capresso kettle. those are the only "things" on my entire counter. the extension cord sits curled in the waaaay back and that way i can just pull out the appliances as i need them but they all sit out of the way the rest of the time.

[pdxgastro]

Try putting your 'coffee station' on a tray. You can pull them out all together.

[ZenSojourner]

My KA is kept on a wire rack next to the kitchen door in the "dining area" next to the kitchen. That's also where the ice cream maker, bread maker, blender, pasta maker, and pots and pans are kept.

My son's kitchen is absolutely tiny. The one good thing - that cabinets are mounted high enough so the KA mixer can fit under them - does not make up for the lack of horizontal counter space.

[cabojenn]

As much as I hate it on the counter, I wouldn't have the pleasure to use it because it's too heavy to pull out several times a week. When we remodel the kitchen I am hoping to build in little cubbies to keep the large appliances off of the counter but still in sight so I only have to pull it forward.

[roadfix]

I recently set up a dedicated pizza station in one corner of the kitchen and I have my new copper pearl KA 600 Pro right on it, on a large slab of granite where I stretch the dough.

[flourgirl]

Nice! :)

[tzurriz]

I actually have open plastic shelving (the kind they sell for garages) in my kitchen, and I keep all my heavy appliances on those. The lower 3 shelves have my mixer, steamer, bread machine (which I use at least twice a week), food processor, etc. The upper shelves hold our booze, and backstock of dried goods. The plan was for this to be a temporary setup, but we are coming up on 3 years now . . .

[GibsonGirl55]

I have my KitchenAid stand mixer on my countertop, next to my Cuisinart drip coffeemaker. I have seen roll-out drawers that can withstand the girth of a KitchenAid mixer. You also might consider a stand that can be placed against a wall that you could use to store it off your countertop.

[tim irvine]

My kitchen is not huge, but the KA has been on the counter in the corner for many years (I got it in '78). Since I have never known what it is like to have the corner clear, I'd love to hear from a poster if they actually use the counter space in the corner, back under the cabinets. I will confess it bumps the bottom of the cabinet and has to be pushed and pulled in and out, but so far that has not been an issue for the mixer or the cupboard. I will confess I only use it about once a week on average.

[kaleokahu]

Tim: I was just like you until I HAD to make room for something else--in my case a Brisker. I use the Brisker a lot more than the KA. The KA went to the back corner of an under-counter cabinet where it won't pull my upper cabinets off the wall.

Since then I've made a conscious decision to try to keep the counters clear of EVERYTHING I touch fewer than 3-4 times a week. It's really nice to have more workspace.

[tim irvine]

Ok, I looked up Brisker. What sorts of things do you do with it?

[dmazzei54]

I bought and tried the "Handy Caddy", not really expecting it to work with my KitchenAid stand mixer because the mixer is so gosh darned heavy. Wella, it works !!! Buy one and you will see. I can now slide my KitchenAid Mixer in and out easily. I refuse to just store it away as I would never use it if I did that. Such a simple concept and I have no idea why no one thought of this here on this site. That was my solution. Trust me, it works. I'm going to get a second one for my coffee maker.

[flourgirl]

I can't speak for everybody else, but I just don't have the counter space to dedicate to such a large appliance, handy caddy or not.

[Beckyleach]

I have almost NO counter space, so last time we were in Minneapolis, I bought a rolling "butcher block" cart from Ikea--and it sits on that. Underneath are some mixing bowls on one shelf, and my dough proofing bucket on the bottom. That works great except for when I want to HAND knead, because I bought the cart initially for just that--my counters are all too high for me--and so I end up having to hoist that sucker and move it out of the way, to knead....

[dmazzei54]

See reply by dmazzei54

[CookingwithMochi]

I keep mine on top of the refrigerator, right next to my bamboo tiered steamers. I know it's odd, especially since it's so high up, but I get to reclaim my counter space and still see the nice red color :)

[Chocolatechipkt]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does that! :)

[John E.]

This may sound a little weird, but ours is on the floor under the overhang of the counter/eating area. It's under the phone and next to a barstool, but out of the way. It doesn't get used too often. It's either there or on the floor of the closet of the front/spare bedroom.

[blue room]

Ha where do I keep the Kitchen Aid? Close to my heart and always on my mind.
I did find a pretty good solution for some bulky items, though--
http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6056-34...
I keep crockpot, rice cooker, food processor, big bowl sets on it. It rolls, is sturdy and easy to put together. *250 lb. shelf load* Bought 2 more!

[flourgirl]

This is exactly what my shelving unit looks like that I store all my big appliances on. Mine's just a lot bigger and not on wheels (but very close to my counter.) It is really sturdy and was a life saver for me when I was trying to solve this storage problem without spending a fortune. My shelving unit is about 4-5ft long and about 6 ft high. I paid under $200 for the whole thing quite a few years back when the old Expo was running a special on them. I store EVERYTHING on these shelves and it gives me really quick and easy access. Awesome.

[blue room]

Let's face it we all need spacious kitchens and less stuff and more time and more money.
:)
I do love any storage that rolls--these are small enough to be very maneuverable even when fully loaded, and so they're never really in the way--I can even push them right into a bedroom if I want and leave them for an evening if I want more space for people and food.

[flourgirl]

I love storage that rolls too - I have a cart that looks similar to yours - maybe a little longer, and it has a butcher block top (with two wire shelves.) I LOVE that thing! I have another, smaller one that has a granite top - great for rolling cookies and pastry, etc. I have a fairly large kitchen - but not a lot of counter space, so these carts really help make my kitchen more workable and efficent. Some of the best purchases I ever made.

[dmazzei54]

I am experpiencing the same problem. I am going to invest in the 'Handy Caddy" advertised on TV to see if that'll work. It is so heavy, I hate to even lift it from the wall forward for when I use it. I hope this helps. Admittedly, I don't know if the "Handy Caddy" will work with this heavy appliance, but if it doesn't, I'll use it for my coffee maker and figure something else out.

[LadyCook61]

I keep mine on the countertop, in a corner, fits perfectly and is out of the way.

[Green Omnivore]

I make bread 2-4 times a week so I leave it on my countertop despite it's big size. It's just so much easier than having to put it away!

[David A. Goldfarb]

Mine's on the counter where I can push it back into a dead corner when it's not in use and pull it out as needed. I like stuff to be accessible. Lightweight things like the rice cooker or less used appliances like the waffle iron can go under the cupboards, and a stand mixer is a heavy thing that I use often.

Those bulky accessories, though, take up a whole drawer. On the other hand, the more accessories, the more I use it, so I can justify keeping it on the counter.

[polish_girl]

I took out a shelf (because it's so tall!) from one of my bottom cupboards and it resides there, right next to the blender, food processor, etc. I actually built a couple of those so called appliance garages thinking about storing my KA there, but it turned out it was too high....

[Betty]

Mine is a Rev a Shelf under the counter. I had my new lower cabinets built to include it because my mother had a pop up mixer shelf in the same exact spot since 1955, but her popup was a little lightweight for the kitchenaid. It is great, sturdy, locks solidly, and I did a sliding shallow drawer underneath to hold the attachments. No regrets. Except that I can't find the wisk attachment since we moved back in!

[beachmouse]

We've got good (though not great) counter space, and the spouse loves iconic industrial design so it's parked and looking all pretty on the counter between fridge and stove.

My biggest annoyance about that spot is that I'm always having to wash the cat fur out of the bowl before using it- the senior cat loves to sleep on top of the cabinets at that spot in the kitchen and the excess fur tends to float downward onto the counter.

[LadyCook61]

I had to laugh about the cat fur. I have 6 cats , and always have to check stuff for cat fur.

[Demented]

I've seen the under counter set up Jfood speaks of, very nice, but as a renter not an option.

I've found the best place to store my KA mixer is atop of the refrigenator.

Less effort to bring it down to chest level, than to pull it up.

[c oliver]

It's been on the top shelf of the pantry because that's the only shelf tall enough to accommodate it. My husband gets it down for me as I'm afraid I would drop it. I'm using it a lot more recently and want it on one of my counters but just don't think I can do that without giving up too much work space. It's been on my mind.

[HillJ]

Our last kitchen remodel included a walk in pantry. Inside the pantry is a stainless cart on wheels. The KA takes top shelf and I roll it out for me or the kids when it's time to use it. I keep all the measuring gadgets and tools on the lower shelves of the cart. Roll in, roll out. Works great.

[tim irvine]

I gave up 30 years ago and the KA has been in the corner/under the cabinets on the counter ever since. I like having the stuff I use out where I can get at it and the corner between the stove and the kitchen sink always has on it: the KA (BARELY fits), the food processor(s) (DLC-11 and mini for spices), garlic, knife block, two cans of oil (cookiing grade olive and peanut), a salt pig, pepper grinder, spoon rack and two kinds of rice and two kinds of flour in cannisters ), a microplane grater on a peg on the wall, and a spoon rest. I don't see it as clutter anymore. It's a kitchen!

[manraysky]

I am lucky enough to have a butler's pantry off the kitchen, so the KA lives there. We have limited usable counter space, so keeping it on the counter isn't practical.

[DishyDiva]

I love my KA stand mixer which I use at least once a week but I have very little counter space.

I went to the vintage/antique shop and bought a sturdy, rustic-looking solid wood night table/stand on which the mixer now sits next to where my counter ends.

The night table's dimensions are 13" deep x 16" wide -- a perfect fit for my mixer. It's height is slightly lower than counter height which actually makes it easier for me to look into the mixing bowl and add ingredients (I'm petite).

Better still, the night table has a shelf below, creating two vertical compartments in which I place a fabric-lined basket each. I use the baskets to store the accessories for my KA mixer. So, my KA accessories are stored directly below the mixer itself.

I've received many compliments for my adaptation of the nightstand for my mixer, which I never have to move before using it.

[BN1]

My wife specified an appliance garage when we built our kitchen. She just rolls up the door and there it is ready to use next to the coffee grinder. She uses it a lot.

[Sooeygun]

It's on a shelf in the pantry. We have very little counter space. It gets brought out at least once a week. I don't find it all that heavy for moving, so it doesn't bother me.

[karmalaw]

I keep mine on the counter-top. I have limited counter space, but having the mixer out there and ready to use really does cause me to use it more - and I love that I am using it often. I find that I use it far more often than I ever used my hand-mixer (which is also a good quality KA mixer). I think if I had to take a few steps (lifting it up, across or getting it from wherever) I'd be less inclined to use it. As it is now, it sits there and beckons to be used.. and that's precisely why there's a loaf of cinnamon bread in my kitchen right now that I spontaneously made last night...

[rainey]

My kitchen and the adjoining pantry are very narrow -- just a step or two from one side to the other. My pantry has a counter at baking height on one side. So I put the KA on a pantry shelf opposite the counter.

When I want it, I put my arms around it, pivot and plug it in.

When we remodeled that was a specific part of the plan. I didn't want it out all the time and I didn't want to devote a whole cabinet with one of those riser things to it either. With this arrangement it's always available with a minimum of fuss or expense (those riser things get pricey!). And it takes up the minimum amount of space.

Next to it is the bread machine that's roughly the same height and gets used roughly as often.

[CrazyOne]

We have an old one, and it takes up a relatively small back corner of a countertop. This particular counter has no back (faces out towards dining area) so it can be pushed back a little more than if it were against a wall. We also take the bowl off and hang it from an overhead rack, and we leave the head tilted back; that helps keep the always-taken space to a minimum. If it had to be put away and taken out, then it would NEVER get used. It's just too heavy to maneuver like that.

[meadandale]

Mine sits on the counter covered. It's on a section of counter that also has the toaster oven, knife block and espresso machine. Putting it in a cupboard or schlepping it into storage would just make using it a PITA and would not significant add anymore counter space to my kitchen.

[coney with everything]

On a shelf in the basement. I love the thing but have very limited counter space.

Husband or son will haul it upstairs upon demand.

[Davwud]

On the counter beside the microwave. We have a fair bit of counterspace but where it is, is a bit of a dead zone. Not in the wide open working area. It's heavy but not much trouble for me to lift.

DT

[flourgirl]

I have a fairly big kitchen but limited counter space. I have one of those very big wire shelving units on one wall of my kitchen where I keep my stand mixer, among other things.
I don't have to move it far, and it's easier for me than dragging it out of a cupboard. (I suspect that if I had to constantly haul it out of a deep cupboard I might be discouraged from using it as much as I do....)

[jpc8015]

Mine gets a lot of use so it stays on the counter.

[sommrluv]

I know the original post is old, but this showed up on the front page for me!

Good thread, as I am currently shopping for an under counter lift...does anyone have one they would reccomend? Or know where they purchased hardware? Please feel free to email me off here..my screen name, and verizon dot net. It's appreciated. I don't know if the moderators would allow company names to be passed around.

[The Chowhound Team]

Posters are welcome to share company names - that's exactly the kind of information we hope that posters will share with one another on these boards, where it can help all posters, rather than emailing one poster with the information.

Thanks!

[sommrluv]

Thank you!

Right now I'm looking at the Rev-A-Shelf online...

I think it's priced EXTRODINARILY reasonable, at $84 plus shipping, considering I saw an electric one last year for $600? $700? It's just the hardware, you provide the shelf. My husband is extremely handy, we've done our entire kitchen ourselves, but this looks very simple. Does anyone own this product?

I have a large kitchen with lots of counter space as well..my kitchen is 20 x 15 with countertops to match, including a semi-island, but I'm a messy cook, I never do one thing at a time, and (oops) haven't finished putting in all those outlets yet!

Also, I have Muscular Dystrophy, so moving this puppy about is just not an option for me. The rev a shelf people say a 40 lb shelf goes down to 12-14 pounds of effort to life it, which makes it something I can now do. I love my mixer and use it twice a week..this might make it more often for me.

The less things I have to ask people for help for, the better for myself, IMO. If anyone owns this product I would love to know about it.

[jules1026]

I'm intrigued by the idea of a swing arm shelf: I visited the website but can't seem to find it or the right combination of words when searching. What are they actually called?

[yayadave]

Ours sits on a roll out drawer. It has worked for a number of years. I guess it just depends on how sturdy your drawer is. Ours sits at about chest high. It might be a lot harder to move it from a low shelf.

[cimui]

in the box i received it in, in a closet. i'll probably either sell it as an antique or break it out only when my 10 year old hand held mixer finally kicks the bucket (it's still going strong).

[RGC1982]

Deep in the corner on the counter. I slide it out when I need to use it. Too heavy to consider any other solution.

[Passadumkeg]

In the North Pole, until Santa brings me one.

[janeh]

I figured before I bought the KA that the only spot possible would be on the counter - that's why I got a red one!

[GibsonGirl55]

Mine is red (cherry red) too. :-)

[coney with everything]

My favorite flavor, cherry red...

[brendastarlet]

Mine is in a cupboard directly under the counter where I most often use it. I don't keep it out because it takes up so much space.

[stevelvv]

Here's what worked for me. While not in use, the KA mixer is under the cupboard on the countertop. Problem was lugging it forward to use it. I simply removed the 5 rubber feet plugged into sockets on the bottom and replaced them with marbles. Now it slides like its on a skating rink. Does not scratch the countertop. As a safety precaution, I slip a dry sponge under the space between the mixer and the countertop for stability. Last thing you want is the mixer to roll off .

[alienor]

i was surprised to see that this topic is still open,but as it is i will give my opinion. last year we redid the kitchen and i insisted on a lift up shelf for the KA mixer. my kitchen designer thought it was a ridiculous and expensive idea, but i insisted. i have never felt that i made a mistake. it is tucked away, doesn't take up counter space and is easy to pop up to counter height when i need, i have never regretted the expense

[jzerocsk]

Do the marbles allow it to roll or does it just slide on them? How are they attached?

I keep mine on the counter in a corner which seems perfect since the deep corner is pretty much out of reach for normal activities, but as you said, pulling it forward is a pain!

[stevelvv]

No, they roll. I spritzed them with WD40 and they are like butter. The weight of the mixer keeps them attached. It is a perfect fit as the marbles are 1/2" and so is the socket. In order to place them, I took a piece of paper and gently made indentations with my thumb to make a template. Then set the marbles on the paper and carefully set the mixer on top. Helps if there are two people. But I did it myself. I keep sliding it around to see if it still works. Guess I better make bread or something.

[al b. darned]

Geeze, Steve, why would you put wheels on it? Sure it is a pain to move, but those rubber feet keep it in place when you are kneading bread dough, whipping cream, or anything else at high speed. This mod is decidedly UNSAFE!

When you are making that bread dough there is a good chance that the mixer will "walk" right off the counter. If you don't catch it (and mangle up your arm in the rotating dough hook) you will make a very big dent in the floor and a bigger one in your feet. I would reverse this change before I used it, if I were you.

[stevelvv]

no, as I said, I put a dry sponge underneath the space and that holds it in place. Tried it on bread kneading, and it worked.

[pdxgastro]

I would put it on a tray. I do this with my coffee maker, which sits on my countertop. I slide the tray and coffeemaker forward and it allows me to flip up the reservoir cover to pour in the water.

[vicki_vale]

Thanks everyone! I will investigate the lifting mixer shelf idea. Just waiting for the new countertop to arrive....

[Sherri]

vicki_vale -- be certain, absolutely certain, that the lift is heavy-duty and very sturdy. There are as many "lifts" as there are automobiles and we all know there are huge variables there. This is truly a case of "when it's good, it's very very good and when it's bad it's horrid". The jiggling, shifting and bounce is unacceptable with the flimsy models.

[eLizard]

On the counter. If it weren't there, I'd never use it, and I use it all the time. Same with the cuisinart.

[Betty]

On a shelf like this one, that my parents installed about 50 years ago, and it is still in use. My new mixer is taller, so I will need to lower it a little. I highly recommend this solution. I just googled "lifting mixer shelf" and got this one, I'm not recommending this particular brand or anything.

http://www.ovisonline.com/store/detai...

[Dommy]

We keep attachements on the drawers and the main machine on the counter. There was this cool hideaway shelf that Alton Brown did on a home makeover, but I think that would then takeway some of the drawer space as well... :P

Here's how we have ours, we don't think it takes up too much space at all:

http://members.aol.com/pmgon/Home/Red...

--Dommy!

[FoodFuser]

On the Countertop. I think I use it more when it's already in place.

It has a perfect place: snuggled into a cube consisting of breadmachine, coffeemaker, and KA.

An added bonus: when I slipped the KA into what seemed its perfect place, its top dimension just barely cleared the base of the left edge of the wall cabinet. All I had to do was use a folded cardboard shim to snug it into place, and it's locked into position between counter and cabinet. This really makes a difference when kneading heavy bread doughs... no more worries of bouncing.

On another KA topic, please see the thread I just posted on slicer attachment uses: should I get the set? Link:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

[AnneInMpls]

I keep mine on top of the fridge (I'm tall). I figure that moving it counts as part of my weight-training workout.

Anne

[rumgum]

still in the box in my garage!! got it as a wedding present and well i still have to make room for it.

[EclecticEater]

I hate to say it but it sits on the counter back by the window.

[Chocolatechipkt]

Mine is on top of the fridge! It's a slightly smaller fridge, but it's still high enough. As I have very little available counter space, I've decided to call this a good opportunity for weightlifting, lol.

[breadchick]

Can I tell you that I'm glad to know I'm not the only one challenged with too little counter space? It's gladdening to know (yeah, I think that's a word) that we all don't have the show room kitchens in the magazines, but we manage to create some culinary magic nonetheless.

Rock on.

[flourgirl]

I think there are lots of us out here that don't have showroom kitchens. I don't have much counter space (I do have two rollaway carts and two kitchen tables, which helps quite a bit) & I could definitely use some more storage space but I love my kitchen anyway. And yes, quite a biit of culinary magic takes place in my kitchen on a weekly basis in spite of not being a show place. :)

[breadchick]

Oh, and mine is situated at a weird slant to the side at the end of the counter. I have an old home with built in cupboards and they didn't think to make the clearence from counter to cabinet tall enough to accomodate a KA. Imagine!

[Susan627]

I really do not advise keeping it some place you have to move it a lot. I dropped mine while moving it one day - oh the KA was fine, but my toe required surgery. I could have bought one in every color for the price of the surgery!

[ML8000]

It is heavy. She keeps it on a rolling cart but still calls my brother to move it. She really doesn't use it much any more. For small stuff it's easier to do it by hand.

[janetxb]

OW ow ow ow ow! The thought of a KitchenAid mixer landing on one's toe is horrible!

[MMRuth]

Mine is on a bookshelf in the kitchen - at about waist height - along w/ my other appliances - ready reach but not using up my tiny counters.

[studiocate]

I have cabinet space, but I still keep in on the counter because it is just too heavy for me to move around!

[jillp]

Mine's on a shelf in the pantry. It's just too big to sit on the countertop all the time.

[danna]

My KA is the only appliance allowed on the countertop. I hope you enjoy your new one enough that you don't mind giving it the place of honor!

[GibsonGirl55]

Danna,

Exactly. KA does merit a place of honor. Mine is my pride and joy. While it can take up space, a KA rep once told me some people actually will use the mixer as a decoration and not use it at all. She then laughed and shared that KA really wants people to *use* their mixers.

[ML8000]

My mom keeps her's in the garage with a plastic cover, keeps the mixing bowls insides. The thing is just too big to be in the kitchen all the time.

[jfood]

It takes up an incredible amount of unercounter space but for the last two kitchen re-designs my DW has installed in a lower cabinet. The KA sits on a shelf in the cabinet that is attached to an arm that swings up and locks into place for use. When completed, we unlock the arm and it swings back down into the cabinet.

[al b. darned]

I would love to have one of those shelves, but my kitchen just doesn't have the cabinet space. So for now it sits in the corner of the counter beneath the cupboards under a KA Cozy. Not the best place, but there's really no other good place in our kitchen.

[eamcd]

Ours is on the counter (sideways against the wall) too. My MIL had one of those swing-arm shelves for hers too and it was great. But we didn't have a cabinet to give up either. I don't even have a cozy. The mix attachments stay in the bowl and the bowl cover says on (to keep them clean).

[grnidkjun]

That's how mine is too.. it's on the counter next to the fridge with attachments in the bowl. At least I know where to find them though! :)

[urika]

Unfortunately for now, in the corner of the countertop

[John Francis]

Likewise. I use it often enough that getting it out and putting it away would be needlessly tedious.