This is in response to Melissa, who inquired about the white coating
wearing off on her beater for her Kitchen Aid mixer.
It is NOT time for a new mixer....merely some new beaters. The coating of
my two beaters of my KA mixer (circa 1988) wore through to the base metal
several years ago as well, and I replaced them. (Other than that, I have
had no complaints whatsoever about this 5-quart mixer.) Over time, the
abrasion of ingredients (particularly sugar) will wear the shine off the
coating, and eventually wear off the coating on the base of the beater.
Mine wore off very smoothly, with no chipping, much as if it had been
sanded off.
I spent twently minutes on hold in the queue to speak to a Kitchen Aid
representative earlier this week. The white coating is made of nylon, and
the beater (and dough hook) is dipped into it. The base metal of both the
coated and non-coated beaters (and dough hook) is aluminum. So, depending
on what you use your KA for, you may wish to replace the worn beater with
another coated one if you mix acidic ingredients. (Aluminum will react to
acidic ingredients.)
I also inquired when the ownership changed from Hobart, and it was 1986.
I would also recommend that if you only have one, to get a second bowl.
They are infinitely useful when beating egg whites to add to waffles, or
making multiple recipes. The plastic covers (described erroneously as
non-sealing, although they do seal quite tightly) are very useful for
covering the bowl when proofing bread dough or chilling cookie dough.
Happy baking,
Carolyn