The KitchenAid stand mixer includes three accessories: the standard beater or shovel, the whisk, and the kneader hook, plus a strainer-lid.
What does each accessory do?
The standard beater or shovel is the most versatile accessory of the mixer, suitable for whipping/mixing all kinds of mixtures from normal to consistent. Ideal for preparing cakes and buns, and excellent for working butter, margarine, and other creams. It is also used to make purees, sauces, and pâtés; homogeneously mixes the ingredients for meat pies and meatballs; and perfectly prepares a cream of butter or buttercream. It can be used both to assemble gently and to incorporate ingredients gently.
The beater of rods is the ideal accessory to incorporate air to the preparations. It is used to beat whipping cream, egg whites, ice cream, mousses, meringues, or mayonnaise. It is also used for sponge cake without butter, as well as for sparkling egg white glazes. You should start to beat from the minimum speed and go up. It is important not to beat too fast. Otherwise, less air will enter and the mixture will be heavy.
The kneading hook serves to prepare and work masses of bread, brioches, focaccias, rolls, pizzas, and dough for pasta. We can also use it when we add candied fruits or nuts to the mass of a sponge cake. The hook is used always and only at speed 2.
Strainer-lid: This accessory has a double function. On the one hand, it directs the ingredients towards the walls of the bowl, and on the other, it reduces the splashes.
What accessory do I buy?
The KitchenAid stand mixer has a wide range of accessories: grater, rotary cutter with optional blades, chopper, stuffing machine, pasapuré, squeegee, pasta roller, ravioli accessory, cereal grinder, can opener, refrigerator, etc … It is not advisable to use these accessories at high speeds. Which accessory to buy depends on the use you are going to give it.