Try to find KitchenAid’s iconic stand mixers at any retailer right now, and chances are you’ll come across red “Currently unavailable” or “Out of stock” signs no matter where you try.
This is true for the 3.5-quart and 5-quart models in their Artisan Series, intended for home bakers, as well as the bigger, 6-quart models, in the American brand’s Professional Series.
What’s happening? And what are your options if you want to get a stand mixer for your kitchen?
The long answer short is that, since 2020, consumer demand for stand mixers has been so high that most manufacturers—and their supply chains—have been having a tough time trying to keep up with it.
Given how popular KitchenAid’s products are, it’s no wonder that it hasn’t been the exception to the rule…
The first stand mixer shortage was in December 2020, when social distancing measures were at their peak, and most of us had yet to get our vaccine shots. At the time, most companies were still recovering from the shortage of parts and materials from their suppliers.
With folks like you and me working from home and not going out with friends and family, suddenly everyone became interested in becoming a home baker! I should know; the views on my posts went entirely off the charts right before the holidays.
Now, it’s late May 2021, and they seem to be out of stock again on most of the online retailers that typically sell them.
Is it a parts and materials crunch again? I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure: if you want to buy a new stand mixer right now, you don’t have that many options.
Option 1 is to wait it out. I’m sure this is temporary and, sooner rather than later, your sought-after stand mixer in Empire Red color from KitchenAid’s Artisan Series will be available to buy again.
Option 2 is to get a refurbished KitchenAid stand mixer (though the supply for them is also limited and, if you’re looking for a specific color, it can be hard to find). These unused or lightly used mixers have been meticulously inspected and aptly restored to their former glory.
Option 3, which I don’t recommend, is to look for listings for used KitchenAid stand mixers on Craigslist or eBay. Bear in mind that most of them are being sold for a reason—and often come with a “catch” that the seller skillfully hid while you were testing the mixer at their home or garage.
Option 4, for those of you who don’t swear by the brand and aren’t as eager as others to wait it out, is to get a stand mixer from another manufacturer.
Consider the Smeg 1950's Retro Style Stand Mixer. It’s made in Italy, comes with a beautiful steel exterior in six color options, and is powered by a reliable 600-watt motor.
Or a Kenwood Kitchen Machine, which features a 7-quart bowl, European-designed motor, and three tools (beater, dough hook, and whisk).
Which option did you end up going for, and why? Let the rest of this post’s readers and me know by leaving a comment below!
