Cookaholics Bulletin Board

I have the sideswipe - cleaning is not an issue for me cause it goes right in the dishwasher. I love it and can't imagine working without it anymore. Except for a couple of things it is my go-to KA attachment.

All,

Thanks! I guess I'll get whichever is cheaper ...

I'm late to the party but blade height vs. the bowl is user adjustable over some range. Or maybe that's only on the tilt-head models...

Pete,

It's only adjustible if you have a pre-Whirlpool KA. Ours, alas, is not.

All,

First, let me say that we bought a Beater Blade and it made a huge difference. Our KA used to be pretty much useless for cookie and cake dough, and now Kris uses it for that frequently (she still prefers hand-mixing, though). So, Beater Blade recommended.

Second, we talked to a KA rep at Macy's, and she told us where to look for the adjustment screws, which are in a different location on our mixer. They're also very very hard to adjust correctly, but at least they exist.

After reading this thread, I decided that I NEED one of these. Funny how that happens. Maybe it will improve my baking or at least get me to bake more frequently. I thought that KA made its own sanctioned one, but I do not see it on their site. Perhaps I am making this up, but I remember a thread on the CI BB which said that using a sideswipe etc would void the warranty of the mixer. In my case this is a moot point cuz' mine is ancient but not old enough to be interesting or vintage.

KA's version is called the FlexEdge. It is made of metal with single swiping fin. It has been available for tilt heads for since last winter and I believe that a version for wide lift bowls has been made available in the past month or so. I do not believe that one is available for narrow lift bowl yet.

KitchenAid Flex Edge Beater

My Beater Blade has worked well for over a year, but there is a visible fracture in the plastic where it attaches to the mixer. So far it has not broken.

KitchenAid's warning about voiding a warranty or damaging a mixer is pretty much smoke. They say the same thing about all attachments that they do not manufacture and never supply any information that indicates that an aftermarket product has actually damaged a mixer during their tests. As long as there is batter or butter in the bowl to lubricate the beater, chances of it damaging your mixer are very near zero.

Jim,

Given the age of our mixer, I'm not too worried about the warranty.