It’s no exaggeration that my Kitchen Aid mixer is one of my most beloved and recommended kitchen tools.
No, I am not getting paid to say this. No, they are not sending me a free mixer to post this. This is just my honest, “you get what you invest in”, opinion. It’s lasted us years and year,s and I use it multiple times per week. Our daughters love my Kitchen Aid, so I need your help.
I don’t want to replace my Kitchen Aid, if I don’t have to. You guys are a wealth of knowledge, so I thought you might give me your suggestions. The only answers I received gave suggestions on how to get stuck Kitchen Aid beaters OFF the stand, but that is not my issue.
See the above photo? That is where one places the beater, paddle or dough hook. Notice the little metal pin that goes through the center horizontally? It is stuck. REALLY stuck. It’s almost as if the metal expanded overnight. I have tried for nearly one month to fix it and get it unstuck, to no avail.
Do you have any suggestions besides oiling, pounding, soaking, cutting etc?
I feel like I have tried everything, and it kills me to think of buying a new one, or even paying to have it fixed just because of this.
Now, that Kitchen Aid mixer has served me faithfully for over a decade, so if I must replace it, I will, yet I would love your suggestions if you can help.
Why not just take the beater off?? LOL
@Kristie scott, HAHA – you are one funny, lady. IT IS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Banging head on computer screen). I was trying to be polite when I was messaging with him, but wanted to say, ‘BUDDY, READ WHAT I AM SENDING YOU”.”
Speak to Dan my neighbor on the other side of the fence. Told him my planetary woes and he offered up his **heat gun** which he swore by for getting troublesome pins out. I had wacked at the pin with a pin punch and tried WD-40 with no luck. I set the Kitchenaid on its side outside on concrete and heated the pin area for a couple of minutes. Result: the pin popped outed with a few hits on the pin punch just as pictured in the Youtube videos. BTW the Kitchenaid chat line folks won’t tell you this. They apparently want you to spend more money than a replacement would cost to ship the mixer to them for repairs. If Dan doesn’t live close to you it appears that you can get a **heat gun** delivered by the Amazon devils for about $15. Case closed. I hope this works for you and saves a perfectly good mixer.
My new KA Artisan standing was delivered with factory-installed wire beater. It seems to have a clip keeping this beater on for shipping purposes. I cannot remove this beater to change to another or to clean it. When I spoke to K A after waiting On-Hold for 45 minutes, they kept saying to use hot compresses and mineral oil. I din’t think they understand what I am seeing or explaining. I gave up and am waiting for Fed Ex tp puck up on Monday, since New Years Eve and Day. I am requesting a Replacement and maybe I will get a mixer without this problem. Also, the instructions say NOT to store miser with beater. So, WHY would KA deliver a new mixer with an attached beater? And who knows how long it has been attached? Very sad and disappointed, and needless to say, disappointed.
I have no advice, but after my own experience with their customer service I’ve decided to replace my mixer but never again will I own a Kitchen Aid. I’ve been brushed off. I had a dough hook that after about a years use snapped in 2. It was obviously a defect in the metal but was told oh well too bad, here’s the link to order a new one. I also had to replace the ONLY plastic gear in the dang thing, that was changed in later models at my own expense. I thought my mixer would be forever, but I can’t wait to find a new one from another brand. Hopefully with more helpful customer service.
Interesting to find your post today was on your KitchenAid! I still have my 28 yr. old 5qt. one. We have replaced the nylon gears in it around 4 times. Recently we upgraded to the Professional 600 all metal gear / higher watts . I’ll still keep using my 5 qt. though but not for whole grain breads – it can’t handle them. But the new one does beautifully.
I am going to show my hubs your post and see if he has any ideas for you – he’s a mister fix it when it comes to things like this.
Pamela
Metal contracts when it is cold so maybe putting it in the freezer for awhile and see if it contracts enough to pull the pin out might work.
@Jeanina Harris, I was also going to suggest putting it in the freezer for a little while. Lynn
@Jeanina Harris, That was my suggestion, too. Very curious to see if it would work.
Yep, that was going to be my suggestion too. Try freezing it, then oiling it, then banging it with a hammer. If you lived where I live, you could just set it outside for a few minutes and voila!
@Jeanina Harris, That was my suggestion too
Jeanina is on to something. However, the problem with metal contracting when it gets cold is that both the pin and shaft are metal. Alternately, try heating the shaft with a butane torch (like the ones used to melt the sugar on creme brulee’). Everything will expand; the shaft, the pin, and the space between the shaft and pin.
There is a man in my homeschool group. I sent him your blog post as he repairs kitchen aid mixers. Maybe he can figure it out and I will email you as soon as I hear from him what his answer is!
Blessings,
Jennifer
jennifersikora.com
Thx so much, Jennifer. I would love to hear what he has to say.
interesting, when I saw your picture, I admit I thought you were a little crazy. (no offense) 🙂 But then I took a look at MY mixer “shaft” and indeed the “pin” only pops out on one side, and is not popepd out on both sides.
I didn’t think that pin even moved at all.
In regards to the Customer Service, I find them SO helpful. Call the 1800 number and maybe email them the picture. It is understandable that trying to explain in words (verbal, spoken, or even tweeted) can defintiely confuse everyone. Pin? What pin? Beaters? There on? Off? 🙂
But I have been very satisfied with the customer service. I had a plastic/rubber peace break in my blender. They directed me right away to the part I needed, where to buy it online, and directions on how to fix it.
Hope you have some luck!
Yes, after one second on Twitter, I knew it was not going to work. 🙂 Love Kitchen Aid, so not a bad word to say about the mixer, just not using twitter as a means of Customer SErvice..ha
How providential for me to see your post today! My kitchenaid is 28 years old and just doesn’t have the power it should. Also grinds a little when doing a heavy load. I didn’t know there was a PLASTIC PART IN IT!! I shall take it out and replace it 🙂 If I were you; I would get some pliers and try to grip below the pin on one side (where the pin sticks out the most) and ON the pin on the other side and try to force that pin flush with the post. Use some good ol’ RED HOT MAMA ANGER on it 😉 Good Luck!
I was going to say what Scott said above. Heat the shaft while cooling the pin. And take a video of it to send KitchenAid’s tweeters.
I was going to suggest the same thing Jeanina said. I was thinking just stick it out in the freezing weather! Good luck. I love my KitchenAid! But lately mine has been struggling when going from speed to speed. Good luck! I decided if/when mine finally broke I would buy a Bosche instead.
Yes, my speed to speed broke awhile ago, but since it still had one level, it still worked for me. My sister in law has a Bosche and I have a much larger Electrolux mixer, but for smaller recipes, my KA is perfect.
I suggest you try removing the beater. (Hardy har har)
This just happened to me and it was a crisis situation that I couldn’t use the mixer. I’m pretty sure it was some batter that basically cemented that pin into place and I tried everything you said above. I finally got out a metal cake-tester (thinner than a toothpick) and went to town trying to dislodge anything that might be in there, along with trying warm water….I’m not sure what did the trick in the end but I got it un-stuck. Good luck……I hope one of these ideas from someone will work for you!
Same thing happened to mine last month. My hubby put a screwdriver on the pin (side that wasn’t supposed to stick out) and tapped it with a hammer. Works like a charm now. Good luck. Love your blog.
Oy and this is a perfect explanation of why companies need to know what they are doing when they decide to set up a Twitter account. If the guy running the account is not intimately familiar with how to fix a problem he needs to direct you to someone who can.
It sounds like they have some guy with a script who doesn’t know when it’s appropriate to quit with the flow chart and send you on to someone who can help.
It’s like outsourced tech support limited to 140 characters. Yuck.
Here’s what I’m thinking: you need to heat the shaft, to make it & the hole that the pin is in, bigger. You need to cool the pin, to make it smaller. You need to tap the pin from the wrong side, to make it slide back into place. SO, gather your troops and some tools: something to heat the shaft (a small creme brulee torch or something like that), something to cool the pin (ice cubes are the right & manageable size), a hammer you can manipulate (don’t grab a humongous one that you can’t handle), and something like a “screw extractor” – it’s about 4″ long, all metal, and looks like a large, blunt-ended icepick with no wooden handle. You need something withOUT a sharp tip, for obvious reasons.
Begin heating the shaft, and cooling the pin at the same time. When you feel that their temps are different enough, place the blunt-ended tool against the wrong side of the pin. Tap, tap, TAP until the pin reseats itself on the correct side. Then hug all your children and husband for all their help and make them some cookies!
IMHO, there is really very little customer service out there today. I couldn’t read all of your exchange ’cause it makes me crazy! I have emailed companies with a very clear, concise question….the response may as well be automated as the person has clearly NOT read my question. Online or on the phone I almost turn into Freddie Krueger!
Have you tried WD-40? That seems to work for most everything. It is flammable though so you would need to choose the location to try it carefully.
Good luck!
Pat
Hi! Have you tried WD 40? If that won’t fix it – NOTHING will! 🙂
Jen – first off my hubs says do not heat the shaft. You will end up with worse problems. I don’t really understand it but he understands metals and he said don’t!
Here’s his explanation on how to fix it after much thought and looking over our KitchenAid shaft. If it doesn’t work repair parts are then in order:
It appears that the pin that is “stuck” is actually too loose and not too tight. At the factory this horizontal pin is pressed into the vertical agitator shaft under great pressure. The pin has actually moved out of place which is why the pin protrudes from both sides of the shaft. Correctly installed, the pin should be flush with one side of the shaft and protrude from the other side. To move the pin back in place, place a ½ inch threaded nut over the end of the pin that should protrude and use vise grip pliers to press the pin back in place.
If this does not work, go to the Sears site below and check out a new agitator shaft. To remove the old shaft you will have to remove the planetary gear from the top of the shaft. Considerable disassembly will be required. Good luck.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/partsdirect/showSubComp.pd?imageUrl=http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/W0312058-00002.png
My beater stuck on my KitchenAid and I finally got it to release by soaking it in hot, soapy water.
I know this isn’t what happened to your mixer, but can you try soaking the bar with the pin in it? Looks like you’ll have to find exactly the right sized container to put beneath it though. If not that, maybe spray with WD-40?
It’s SO frustrating to be on chat with someone and get those canned responses isn’t it!????
Good luck!
I’d hold a bowl around the pin and pour boiling hot water into the bowl, just hold it there for a few minutes to see if you can “cook” out whatever is caked up in there; maybe after a few minutes try pushing in one of the sides while still having it submerged, that might help dislodge anything in there.
Soak it in Coke? I feel your pain with customer service nowadays.
Thank the Lord, if I ever get a KA mixer again, I will know who to ask–all of you folks! Pamela,your hubs sounds like he *really* did his homewrk on this one. If he’s into metallurgy& it might scrooge up the alloy or heat-treat or…eek. I was going to suggest another hosing with oil and a pastry tube(altho EVOO instd of smthng inedible,and it’s heavier), channel locks or a vise grip, & a tap. Isn’t a properly stocked toolbox a blessing? It broke Dad’s heart that I got a cordless drill b4 he did! 😀 I hafta say this Jen–my KA dishwasher is 35yo and I have never calld KA-always a *local & certified* repairshop. They came out once. Helped over the phone otherwise. The joy of knowing I can find & _hurt_ them, y’know. I could not have controlled myself had I been involvd in your twitter convo. I do think that “lack” of cust svc needs to be reported to mgmt-and it’s “recorded” for them to see their problem. Kinda sounds like an IT intern with a “troubleshooting your appliance” guide. Yeesh! -s-
@susan, Yes, Susan my hubs understands metals, he’s welder, machinist and much more! He said if Jen follows the heat up the shaft advice with a torch, she will definitely be into way more expense than she wants to be.
@Pamela –I figured as much! His instructions sounded like something my dad would offer-same background, machining&metallurgy certs everywhere. Hence my wellpacked toolbox. But when I read your reply I had to lol–abt 15yrs ago we did an ER hot water replcmt in my bsmt,but it was sooo late we didnt trace/check the old solder in the copper tubing.The more we fixed the more little fountains erupted out of the ceiling. You heat one area and the metal heats waaay beyond the initial contact point. Only way was hit the main&drain the system first. Mr. StateVocEd MachineJudge was furious at himself&me,we both knew better but were pooped when we started!Your hubs will appreciate 😀 and yep,the KA damage wudnt be “subtle”. -s-
Did you try posting pics and your problem on their Facebook page? I’ve found whoever handles their Facebook page to be fairly knowledgeable and very helpful. They may not know the answer, but they can get someone at the company to help you (if your mixer can be helped). http://www.facebook.com/KitchenAid
I just visited the K/A FB site and someone had a similar problem. The topic is “Mixing Blade STUCK in Mixer” and Jim’s comment (3rd from bottom) is your likely solution. Also, find the manual for your mixer at Kitchenaid.com by typing in your model number (located on bottom of mixer). The part you are describing is the pin in the agitator shaft assembly. Good luck!
Jen, take it to the repair place if it is close. At least check to see what they would charge you to fix it. Seems like one of those things that probably happens more than you know, and they could fix it pretty cheaply, and quickly.
My husband’s suggestion: Spray the pin with WD40 and use a C-clamp and a socket from a socket wrench set . Place the socket over the long side of the pin. Then place the C-clamp over the short end of the pin and the other end of the C-clamp over the end of the socket. Tighten the C-clamp, this should push the short end of the pin back in the hole.
Hope this helps. (You might need two people to accomplish this)
Good Luck
You can email me or DO THIS:support the beater shaft on the side the pin sticks out more,lightly tap the pin back in(short part of pin) until it is flush again. this should fix the problem.
Please, please let us know the final outcome of this saga!! And if you don’t need your 6 qt bowl and wire whisk… I sure could use them, email me.
I came back today to see if any resolution & agree w Elizabeth N–PleezPleez let us know if any of the suggestions help&how this all works out? So many ideas and so many along the same lines-there surely has to be an answer,and it would seem like something you could accomplish with a liitle help &no damage. Just worried in the GreatLakesTundra…-s-. (PS Your PACK DID IT!)
I would try bringing the stand part and 1 attatchment to a RESTAURANT QUALITY repair place in ND/MN we have Dakota Food Equiptment and you would be surprised at what they can fix. He told use how to fix our motorized jeep for the kids because the gears were slipping.
Have you tried http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/tips-techniques/what-do-to-when-your-kitchenaid-breaks-125923 ?
Back to check on your fix!
What happened? Fixed or not fixable?
Ugh. I hate it when customer “service” people have obviously not actually read what I wrote.
Did you get it fixed? I was going to suggest warming or cooling the assembly, too, but it sounds from later comments as though that’s not really the issue.
I would agree to cool the pin. Maybe use a little chunk of dry ice held against the pin? Or even the spray duster/canned air. If you spray it with the can upside down, it gets very cold, very fast…not sure how well that would work though. If you end up having to replace your mixer, keep an eye on Kohl’s. About once a month, they have special 30% off deals if you have a Kohl’s card (I usually do credit cards, but it was worth it for this deal) plus Kohl’s cash back. There are even times that they coincide with mail-in rebates. I bought an Artisan KitchenAid for$177 shipped after the discounts and Kohl’s cash back. I could have gotten a Professional 600 for $187 shipped (there was a mail-in rebate on the professional), but I have never liked the crank up and down version. . My temptation though, is to say “Look at this great deal! I should get one!” with something I really don’t need. 😛 Looking forward to knowing the outcome of the KitchenAid saga!
Thanks to Jackie! That information about the discounts you might get if you have a Kohls card is wonderful! Thanks again…most of my stuff is very old and needing replaced 🙁 now maybe I can 🙂
Jen, any luck? I have the exact same problem . . .
No, but honestly, I didn’t try all these suggestions. It’s so frustrating because the motor works just fine and I don’t want to spend $100 to take it in because I can get this for probably $175 new on a good Black Friday sale. I keep thinking it will magically loosen, but it’s been months and no such luck. 🙂 I’ll respond in here if I find out. I haven’t called Kitchen Aid, but think I will.
@Jen, they’re unfortunately closed on the weekends, but I’ll try them next week too and keep you posted if I have any luck. I’m in the exact same boat–my mixer works perfectly otherwise.
Thanks for this discussion. I fixed my KA with a stuck beater by pouring kettles of hot water up to the rim of the steel bowl. This covered both pin and beater. It only took about five minutes to get everything unstuck, and then I had the perfect situation for cleaning out the KA’s many dough-holding nooks and crannies. I appreciated the discussion about the proper location of the pin. Mine’s not flush on the other side but it doesn’t stick out either. A little guck gets caught in the depression on that far side. Time to clean that too, which is why toothpicks are so wonderful. I’m back to baking with ease.
Carolyn – I am thrilled to hear you were able to get your Kitchen Aid working again. There were so many good ideas, that all of them put together had to help each of us somehow. 🙂 I just love my KA.
OMG…this blog is awesome..I left a beater on the shaft..for 10+ years..yes, sadly, I have NOT used it in that long. Needless to say, I was going to list it for sale on Ebay or Craigs List. That said, the darn beater will not release….lol. BUT, thanks to some great ideas…warm water, etc., I may now be able to get it released. (Yes..have tried WD-40..my go to for everything…) Thank you..will update if I get it released.
UPDATE!!! Flat beater got released from the shaft!!! I took C.L.R…the rust remover…took a syringe full of it and squirted it into the opening, several times. Let it soak for 1-2 hours, then took a crowbar (protecting the paint/beater with towels…) and was able to pop it loose. The beater top was soaked in a 50/50 solution of C.L.R. & water. That said, I have now taken steel wool, #0000, and buffed the shaft, and the insides of all beaters/hooks. I do think a drop of oil before each use would prevent batter/splatter…that and removing the beater/hook. There was a tiny bit of rust/corrosion from being left on the shaft over time, but it was loosened by the C.L.R.
Thank you for all of the suggestions!!
WOOT! WOOT! So thrilled you got it removed, and that this post helped. I do love my Kitchen Aid. I bought another one and two weeks AFTER I got my new one, I got my old one fixed. haha
I came across your blog because I had a blade stuck on. Well after finally just taking a hammer to it it came right off. So because of your blog I got to looking at the pin. Mine is stuck too! Did you ever get it to come loose? I got my mixer from a friend who upgraded so I’m not sure how long it’s been like that.
Believe it or not, I finally did. Two weeks AFTER I bought my new one. 🙂 We sprayed oil on it and tried a bunch of things but it still wouldn’t move. Then one day it just came loose with a huge hammer bang, so maybe it loosened up with the oil and had to sit?? Either way, it doesn’t move back and forth like it needs to, but as long as the pin is to one side, I can still get the beater on so it works now. Glade you got your blade loose. Kitchen Aid’s are great kitchen tools.
I had the exact same problem with the kitchen aid my wife got only two months ago. I was reading down the list of suggestions and as any man, got impatent with the. I decided to spray it with oil and give it a little amount of force from the bottom and then back and forth until it got loose. It could be that food stuffs gets wedged between the shaft and the beater and makes it lock up. Egg for example will dry as hard as a rock. My suggestion is to get in the habbit of spraying cooking oil on it every time you use the machine. A little preventative measure that I hope works in the future for us.
Soaked ours with Pam, waited 10 min and a few “bam bam” with a kitchen malott and it came off. Hope it helps !
did you get it out? If not there aer a few things to try and some to NOT. do not beat on it at all. take a C clamp, put a small socket on the one side. the socket needs to be long enough for the pin to go into it. then use the clamp by mounting it with one end pushing on the pin and the other pressing on the outer end of the socket.
I’ve had exactly the same problem with my KitchenAid mixer and the beater being stuck because of those little pins that were mentioned in the original post. I think I’m going to try some WD-40 to loosen those pins, as I can’t fit the mixer into my refrigerator freezer (as was suggested). It’s that or take the machine to the guy who tunes up my lawn mower.
i am having the same issue…have you been able to fix yours??
My Kitchenaid beater pin got stuck many times but I was always able to tap it out. I believe a young girl that stayed here got it so stuck that nothing we’ve tried has worked. Also I’m not sure which side is supposed to stick out. If you ever got a definite way to loosen the pin please contact me at your earliest convenience. Christmas is coming and a hand held mixer just wont do it. I’ve tried WD40, tapping it, it is completely stuck in middle. Thankyou! Sara
It is ridiculous that I spent $400.00 on a kitchen-aid, used it twice and the beater is stuck. I shouldn’t have to stick a blow torch to it to get the beater off. I am fit to be tied!!!
We used a hair dryer on high and within a minute the mechanism released and all was well. Totally agree to keep things clean and greased up.
Hi,
If you want the pin go back to its position, try to use WD40 first. After 30 min later, use C clamp working with a socket (the right size). The power of the screw should help you out.
If the Pin won’t stay at the right position in the future using, then you may need to replace the pin which is with groove on its surface.
Hi Every-one,
I couldn’t remove my flat beater this morning to use my new flex beater.
I tried the hot water method and the WD-40 to no avail. My hubby got a hammer and a block of wood and gently tapped the beater to slightly move the beater upwards, but it was still stuck but in this different position. Then he lowered the mixer head and then tapped from above to then drop the beater and it became unstuck. He said that because the beaters & the shaft are different metals they can corrode if put back together damp or wet. I will never store my Kitchenaid with the beaters attached again. I hope my post helps. any-one that has the same problem
Thanks for sharing your experience! I am sure it will help.
I know this is a fairly old thread, but I found it because I had the exact same problem. I was just preparing to call Kitchenaid and compare the price of sending it to be fixed to buying a new or refurbished mixer. I thought I could give soaking it in boiling water a chance and lo and behold – I was able to use a rubber mallet to push the pin through! Hooray!
YAY! So glad it worked! I went ahead and bought another one and right when I got the new one, we fixed the old. It’s still running strong after 20 years. 🙂
Twice my beaters have become stuck, & I couldn’t remove them. Simply pouring boiling water on the pin & beater from slightly above did the trick for me within a minute or so.
First point…NEVER store mixer with a blade in it. Some doughs can be like concrete if they dry hard (I am guilty). If any of the aforementioned suggestions work for you that’s awesome. I tried them all and ended up going to WD-40. Note: the “pin” is NOT moveable. Let sit with generous amount of oil in the pin hole and shifted the motor to up and down settings. After 10 minutes I started jiggling the beater and there was movement. After about three minutes of jiggling back and forth it moved into position to be lifted out of shaft. Washed well with warm soapy water. Ta da. I’m back to mixing. Very frustrating…but I really caused the problem by storing it with beater inserted. Best of luck all.
Very disappointed in customer service. I can not get my beater off it is stuck. I tried everything. I was told to send it in at my expense to be looked at. This mixer was 500.00 five years ago. I am so unhappy about this especially two days before Thanksgiving.
@Andrea phelps, did you get it fixed?
These comments were so helpful! (some not so much. LOL) I used a hot soapy dishcloth with the Dawn Platinum soap, rewetting frequently and turning it around the spring on the beater shaft. Worked like a charm! The paddle came off fairly easily and then I cleaned the shaft and spring with the same, drying and moving the spring at the same time. Hope this will help anyone else.
I have a brand new kitchenaid and after the first use I can not remove the blade. It does not push up to twist and remove. I will call CS tomorrow and see if they can help.
Hi. The exact same thing has happened to me, can I ask did you manage to remove it?
just fixed my wifes mixer pin using a hammer and a punch to knock the pin back in place. layed the mixer on its side and supported the shaft with a stubby 2×4 so i wasn’t bending the shaft, and just knocked it a few times to reposition it. probably will have to do this again every so often