Set your stand mixer free. Here’s how to release the attachment, on tilt-head and bowl-lift models.
Figuring out how to release the attachment on a KitchenAid stand mixer seems to be a rite of some sort of passage.
If you use it enough, you will intuitively, perhaps magically, be able to do it with ease. For others, it may be a struggle to remember how to get the attachment free—as well as how to secure an attachment back to the mixer, as needed.
It truly is not difficult, and after you have done it a couple times, it is easy and effortless. So, how do you release the attachment to a KitchenAid stand mixer?
Here is all that you need to know:
Your KitchenAid Mixer
There are two types of KitchenAid mixers that most home bakers use, and the tilt-head style is by far the more popular choice of consumers, though the bowl-lift style works well in commercial settings.
Both styles are offered with ten—or more—different attachment options. Before you start to attach, choose the best attachment for the job.
Here are a couple of tips:
- For bread, pasta, or other sturdy dough, use the dough hook;
- To emulsify salad dressings or to whip cream, use the whip attachment;
- For mashing potatoes or making muffins, use the flat beater.
Always turn off and unplug the mixer before you release or secure any attachments. Double-check to make sure the mixer is unplugged from the power source before you begin.
Your KitchenAid Attachments
Most KitchenAid mixers that you buy brand-new will come with the standard attachments, including the wire whip, dough hook, and flat beater. Oh, the things you can do with these!
Check out the other available attachment options online, or wherever you bought your mixer. Consider expanding your culinary repertoire with some tilt-head mixer attachments like various paddles, a pasta roller, meat grinder, and more!
Secure Standard Attachments to your Mixer
It is going to make it a lot easier to secure your attachments if you clean the shaft of each one every time before trying to add the attachment. Food particles and bits can clog and make this tricky; wiping it down first helps it from sticking.
Tilt-Head Mixers
Locate the beater shaft under the head of your mixer. Use the easy lever on the side of the mixer to unlock the head to tilt it up and back. This exposes the hole to insert the attachment, which you then turn in a counterclockwise direction until it locks in place.
You can clearly see the notch and pin that hold the attachment in place securely when the head of the mixer is tilted back.
Bowl-Lift Mixers
Find the shaft under the head of the mixer. All the attachments that are not connected to a multipurpose hub (more on that soon!) will secure under the mixer head, along a shaft with a notch type fixture….
See it? Turn the attachment to lock it in place. After you have locked your attachment in place securely, you can restore power to the mixer and turn the unit on.
Secure Attachments to your Multipurpose Hub
Some of the fancy, optional mixer attachments offered by KitchenAid require a multipurpose hub to act as a go-between for your mixer and the attachment. These offer a wider range of cooking activities and possibilities in your own kitchen.
Always check the specs of your mixer to ensure the attachment is going to be compatible with the KitchenAid mixer model that you have.
Here is how to attach an attachment to the multipurpose hub:
- Again, check to make sure that your mixer is unplugged, and the control is turned off;
- Remove the cover to the multipurpose hub by flipping it up or unscrewing it;
- Insert the shaft of your attachment into the hub, turn the attachment until it feels tight and secure;
- Now, go ahead and tighten the hub knob until you can feel that the attachment is fully secured to your mixer.
After you have secured the attachment and replaced the mixing bowl under the mixer head, you can restore the power and plug the mixer back in safely.
Remove Attachments from your Mixer
So, you are all done using your mixer’s paddle or whisk attachment- what next? When you are done and ready to move on, it is time to release and remove the attachment and accessories.
First things first: make sure the mixer is turned off and it is unplugged from the power source or outlet.
Remove Standard Attachments from a Tilt-Head Mixer
To remove your beater, whisk or dough hook from a tilt-head style mixer, tilt the mixer head back by sliding the lever on the side to the unlock position.
Push firmly on the attachment so that you can then turn it clockwise until you see the notch- then pull it downward and away from the mixer. It is that simple!
Remove Standard Attachments from a Bowl-Lift Mixer
If you own a bowl-lift style mixer, first turn the bowl-lift handle to the downward position.
Again, you push the attachment up (you can feel the spring-like action), turn the attachment clockwise until you see the opening notch, then pull the attachment down and away from the mixer.
Remove Standard Attachments from a Multipurpose Hub
For other attachments that are configured to the multipurpose hub, the steps are slightly different, but equally as easy to do. Here’s how:
- Start by loosening the knob on the multipurpose hub;
- Turn the attachment until you feel it has become loose;
- Firmly but gently, pull the shaft out, towards you, from the hub;
- Flip the hub-cover down to close or screw it to secure.
When you have removed or released your attachments, you can restore the power to your mixer.
Stuck Attachments
Sometimes attachments get stuck. What are you going to do?
As mentioned previously, it helps to consistently wipe down the shaft of your accessories before using them to prevent food particles from sticking.
You can also spritz a bit of cooking spray on the slot where the shaft of your attachment fits—but know to clean this thoroughly and wipe the mixer well when using this method to prevent residue later.
Follow these tips and instructions to attach and release the various paddles, tools, and accessories that are offered for your KitchenAid stand mixer.
