Has anyone tried the new Silicone robed paddles for the KitchenAid?
I’m considering these because not only does it claim to mix batters for efficiently (It actually scrapes the bowl as it mixes), but it doesn’t react like the aluminum paddles, and it won’t chip like the plastic paddles!
It really sucks to see my beautifully white swiss meringue buttercreams turn grey from the aluminum paddle.
I’m so glad someone out there can say they’ve actually experienced a “reactive” problem with KAs aluminum paddle - I can’t believe more people don’t complain about this! As for your question - I haven’t tried them, but I know KA does not recommend the use of those paddles with their mixers.
The only reason they don’t outright recommend them is because KitchenAid hasn’t tested them (and obviously because they don’t make them; they lose money). But hundreds of test users and positive reviews can’t be wrong. Cook’s Illustrated recommends the SideSwipe beater in their January 2009 issue, and that’s what I’m considering getting.
Considering that KitchenAid is dragging their proverbial feet about making either stainless steel or food grade nylon beaters and dough hooks, this looks like the only option I’ve got left. I’ve tried their enameled/painted beater and all it did was chip off during use.
I’m sooo over the burnished aluminum turning cake batters and icings gray. The only answer KitchenAid ever gave over this issue is that it shouldn’t happen if you’re hand washing the attachments. Duh! Hand washing is all I ever do, the kitchen at the shop doesn’t have a automatic dishwasher.
Someone once told me that rubbing down the aluminum beater with lemon juice would remove the powdery tarnish that forms and keep stuff from turning gray. Can anyone verify that? I guess it’s worth a try.
Unfortunately aluminum will oxidize regardless of how it’s washed… but the dishwasher will obviously speed this process along. Maas Metal Polish will help to remove the oxidation, but it won’t restore the original color/finish. You can find Maas at Wal-Mart, grocery, and drug stores.
Patricia is right. KA does not recommend it. I remember reading it somewhere and as usual I can’t remember where.
I read about it on the KA discussion forums. It seems they’d make a killing if they would develop KitchenAid brand one…. don’t know why they haven’t. I think I recall some mention that they were concerned with possible “increased strain” on the motor.
Patricia is right. KA does not recommend it. I remember reading it somewhere and as usual I can’t remember where.
I read about it on the KA discussion forums. It seems they’d make a killing if they would develop KitchenAid brand one…. don’t know why they haven’t. I think I recall some mention that they were concerned with possible “increased strain” on the motor.
Of the two types on the market right now, the SideSwipe blade puts about 3-4 times less strain on the motor than The BeaterBlade+, which equals that of mixing a batch of bread dough. Considering that with the SideSwipe you use less speed while creaming and beating and that it takes less time to mix batters and buttercreams, the strain on the motor is probably nothing to worry about.
Roxanne, I’m with you on wanting the stainless steel fixtures. I own a Kenwood and a DeLonghi, and the fixtures are either plain aluminum or plastic-coated aluminum that seems to wear off over time. I personally would be willing to pay up for some good stainless steel fixtures. I mean, I paid enough for the machine, right? What’s a few extra bucks for durable, non-reactive paddles?
There’s also the Scrape-a-Bowl by the POURfect company. Btw, I love the Pourfect bowl and beakers.
I have heard from several people that while Scrape-a-bowl does an excellent job of scraping down ingredients it does a rather poor job of mixing ingredients that are in the center of the bowl. This seems to be due to its odd convex design.
Roxanne, I’m with you on wanting the stainless steel fixtures. I own a Kenwood and a DeLonghi, and the fixtures are either plain aluminum or plastic-coated aluminum that seems to wear off over time. I personally would be willing to pay up for some good stainless steel fixtures. I mean, I paid enough for the machine, right? What’s a few extra bucks for durable, non-reactive paddles?
My new mixer is a Kenwood Major Titanium (with timer) which comes with 3 stainless steel attachments plus a silicone covered beater/paddle which I use all the time. It scrapes the bowl beautifully. The stainless steel attachments are available on the Australian and UK websites though not sure re USA.
The Sideswipe paddle is not available for my KA, but I bought one for a friend who bakes a lot and has a “tilt-head” KA. She told me that it works great on cookie dough, but for cakes it doesn’t quite mix everything together as well.
I purchased a new Kitchen Aid silicone paddle for my 6 quart mixer 2 weeks ago and wished I had done it 6 months ago! I works like a dream and my Mousseline whips up faster and smoother. Cakes and Cheesecakes are more fluid and no more grey in my cheescake batter! I got it off of Amazon but make sure you know the model number of your mixer so you order the right one. and if you aren’t sure, look on the Kitchen Aid website. It was about $30 plus shipping.
Actually, I don’t believe KitchenAid manufactures these, but there are a few companies who make them to fit the various KitchenAid models. Last time I checked, KA does not endorse them, but I’ve read pretty good consumer reviews online.
the one I purchased was called Metro Design and bought it through Amazon $24.95. You can also find it at KitchenKrafts.com; BeaterBlade for Kitchen Aide tilt head mixers.
I bought the New Metro Design beater for my 4.5qt KA, as the enamel was chipping badly on the beater that came w/ the mixer. It scrapes the bowl and mixes well, but it tends to move the contents higher up on the sides of the bowl so there was a quite bit of spill over, especially the first time when I wasn’t expecting it. I don’t think I would use it for a large batter cake like pound cake or my cheesecake recipe.
