Since its foundation in the 1940s, the Kenwood company has produced high-quality kitchen appliances. As an owner of two Kenwood mixers, I aim to provide you with first-hand, detailed, and helpful information on the subject.
In short, Kenwood is an excellent brand for kitchen appliances, including mixers. The Kenwood company created the iconic Kenwood Chef in 1950, which is still one of the best and most popular stand mixers today.
I have owned my Kenwood Major mixer for over 25 years, and it still functions flawlessly. I also purchased a new Kenwood Chef three years ago, which I have been using daily since then, and I am very satisfied with both stand mixers.
Is Kenwood a Good Brand for Kitchen Appliances?
Kenwood’s reputation as a good brand for kitchen appliances extends beyond just mixers. They offer a wide range of other appliances, such as blenders, food processors, juicers, and more, all designed with the same dedication to quality and performance.
The company has established itself as a trusted and respected brand in the realm of kitchen appliances for several reasons. First and foremost, Kenwood has a long history dating back to 1947 when the company introduced its first product.
Over the years, Kenwood has consistently maintained a commitment to quality craftsmanship and innovative design. Their mixers, in particular, are known for their durability, performance, and versatility. Kenwood mixers are built to withstand heavy use and are equipped with powerful motors, sturdy construction, and high-quality components, ensuring they can handle a wide range of mixing tasks with ease.
In addition to their excellent performance, Kenwood mixers are known for their user-friendly design. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, allowing both experienced bakers and beginners to operate the mixer with confidence.
Furthermore, Kenwood has a wide range of mixer models to suit different budgets and requirements. Whether you’re a home baker or a professional chef, you can find a Kenwood mixer that meets your specific needs. The brand offers entry-level models for occasional baking enthusiasts as well as high-end models with advanced features for more demanding culinary tasks.
Benefits of Using Kenwood Mixers:
Kenwood stand mixers are known for their versatility, durability, and performance in the kitchen.
- Time-saving: Kenwood mixers are fast and efficient, saving you time in the kitchen.
- Strength: Thanks to their high-performance motors, they efficiently perform demanding mixing tasks that are difficult to do manually, such as making bread dough, pasta, or choux pastry.
- Convenience: For those who bake and cook frequently, a stand mixer makes work much more convenient. While it’s mixing, you can focus on other tasks.
- Mixing Attachments: Kenwood stand mixers come with three interchangeable mixing attachments, allowing users to customize their mixing experience. The most commonly included default attachments are:
- Whisk: Used for whipping cream, beating egg whites, or incorporating air into batters.
- Flat Beater/Paddle: Suitable for general mixing tasks like cake batters, cookie dough, or mashed potatoes.
- Dough Hook: Ideal for kneading bread dough, pizza dough, or other thick mixtures.
- Durability and longevity: Kenwood mixers are made from high-quality materials such as stainless steel and sturdy plastics, providing stability during mixing. Kenwood mixers are known for their longevity and reliability, which ensures that your investment will last for years to come. The durable construction and high-quality components contribute to their extended lifespan, making them a valuable kitchen companion. As proof of their durability, my Kenwood Major mixer is 44 years old and still works well, even though I got it second-hand 25 years ago.
- Style and design: Kenwood mixers are functional and stylish and make a great addition to any kitchen.
- Ease of use: Kenwood mixers are easy to use due to their simple controls, and the mixing bowl and other removable stainless steel accessories are dishwasher-safe.
- Speed Control: The availability of multiple speed settings in Kenwood stand mixers offers precise control over the mixing process. It allows users to start at a low speed for gentle mixing and gradually increase the speed as needed.
- Planetary Mixing Action: Kenwood stand mixers utilize a planetary mixing action, where the attachment rotates around the bowl in one direction while simultaneously spinning on its axis. This motion ensures that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, resulting in consistent and well-incorporated mixtures.
- Expandability with Additional Attachments: Kenwood mixers offer compatibility with a vast range of additional attachments beyond the standard mixing tools. These attachments include pasta rollers, meat grinders, ice cream makers, and more. This expandability allows you to transform your mixer into a versatile multi-functional kitchen appliance, and create a plethora of recipes with precision and efficiency. With attachments such as food processors, juicers, pasta makers, and more, Kenwood mixers provide excellent value by serving multiple kitchen needs in a single appliance.
- Additional Features: Features like a tilting head, splash guards, and electronic speed sensors enhance the overall usability and convenience of Kenwood stand mixers. A tilting head design allows easy access to the bowl for adding ingredients or scraping down the sides. Splash guards prevent ingredients from splattering and keep the countertop clean. Electronic speed sensors help maintain a consistent speed, regardless of the mixing load, ensuring consistent results.
- Competitive Pricing: While Kenwood mixers are positioned in the mid to high price range, they offer a balance between performance, durability, and affordability. The features and capabilities provided by Kenwood mixers often justify their price, offering value for money to users.
Overall, the combination of these features in Kenwood stand mixers provides users with a reliable and versatile tool in the kitchen. Mixers are essential tools, offering durability, and efficiency, enabling users to achieve consistent and professional-quality results.
So why hesitate? Join me in the wonderful world of Kenwood mixers. Head over to Amazon today and explore the Kenwood Chef, Kenwood Major, and Kenwood Cooking Chef models. Trust me, these mixers are game-changers in the kitchen!
The Most Popular Kenwood Stand Mixers
The Kenwood Chef, Major, and Cooking Chef are all popular stand mixer models offered by Kenwood, each with its own unique features and capabilities. They come with three mixing attachments: a balloon whisk, a dough hook, and a flat beater, which are sufficient for most tasks.
Since a stand mixer is a significant investment, it’s essential to choose a product that offers quality and longevity. Kenwood products are reliable in this regard.
Kenwood Chef, Chef XL (Major), and the Cooking Chef
The Kenwood Chef, Chef XL (Kenwood Major), and Kenwood Cooking Chef stand mixers differ in size, power, and capacity. The Chef has a bowl capacity of 4.6 liters (5 quarts), while the Major’s and Cooking Chef’s bowls can hold 6.7 liters (7 quarts). Kenwood stand mixers typically come with a range of mixing attachments, such as a whisk, flat beater/paddle, and dough hook.
If you’re interested in purchasing a Kenwood stand mixer, you may want to consider the following options:
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Kenwood Chef Titanium 5-Qt. 750 watts
The Kenwood Chef is a versatile stand mixer designed for home cooks. It offers variable speed control, allowing users to adjust the mixing speed according to their specific needs. The Kenwood Chef is an excellent choice for those who enjoy baking and want a reliable mixer for everyday use.
- Kenwood Chef Titanium 7-Qt. 800 watts
The Kenwood Chef XL Titanium is a more powerful version of the Kenwood Chef, catering to users with larger batch sizes or more demanding mixing tasks. It features a higher wattage motor, providing increased power and torque. It is ideal for serious home bakers and small-scale professional use.
For further information on the topic, you may wish to read my article on the differences between Kenwood Chef and Major.
- Kenwööd Cooking Chef 7 liters, 800 watts
The Kenwood Cooking Chef is a unique and innovative stand mixer that goes beyond traditional mixing capabilities. It combines the functions of a stand mixer with a cooking element, featuring an integrated induction heating system. This means that in addition to mixing and kneading, it can also heat and stir ingredients directly in the mixing bowl.
The Cooking Chef offers precise temperature control and a wide range of pre-programmed cooking functions, allowing users to create a variety of dishes. It is a versatile all-in-one kitchen appliance that appeals to those who enjoy experimenting with cooking techniques and desire a multifunctional tool in the kitchen. The Kenwood Cooking Chef models usually have a similar bowl capacity to the Kenwood Major (Chef XL).
Potential Drawbacks of Kenwood Stand Mixers
While Kenwood stand mixers are highly regarded in the kitchen appliance industry, there are a few potential drawbacks that users may encounter.
- Some Kenwood stand mixers are quite large and heavy, making storage and moving around difficult, especially in small kitchens.
- When mixing batters or creams, it may be necessary to stop the machine more often to scrape off the ingredients from the sides of the bowl, which can slow down the work. This issue mainly occurs when mixing small batches of batter or buttercream.
- Kenwood stand mixers are generally considered premium appliances, which can be reflected in their pricing. The higher cost might be a drawback for budget-conscious consumers.
Kenwood vs Other Mixer Brands
When choosing a mixer brand, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences to make an informed decision. Here are a few reasons why considering your unique requirements is important:
Capacity
Consider the batch sizes you typically work with. If you often prepare large quantities of food or frequently entertain guests, a mixer with a larger bowl capacity might be preferable. On the other hand, if you primarily work with smaller batches or have limited storage space, a compact-sized mixer might be a better fit.
Functionality
Different brands may offer mixers with varying features, attachments, and capabilities. Consider the types of recipes you frequently prepare and the specific mixing tasks you require. Do you need a mixer primarily for baking, kneading dough, or more versatile cooking applications? Assessing your functional needs will help you choose a mixer that aligns with your desired functionality.
Budget
Determine your budget range for purchasing a mixer. Different brands may offer mixers at various price points, ranging from entry-level options to high-end, professional-grade models.
Durability and Quality
Look for brands that have a reputation for producing reliable, long-lasting appliances. Take into account the overall brand reputation and customer support of the mixer brands you are considering.
Kenwood, KitchenAid, and Bosch are all popular mixer brands. All three manufacturers distribute high-quality kitchen appliances, with their unique features and advantages, the choice depends on your personal preference.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid mixers are known for their elegant design and good quality, and they are more popular and readily available in the US than Kenwood mixers. KitchenAid offers both tilt-head and bowl lift types of standing mixers, while Kenwood does not have this option. However, Kenwood mixers have a more powerful motor than KitchenAid’s.
Examples of KitchenAid stand mixers:
- KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Tilt-head Stand Mixer, 325 watts
- KitchenAid 6-Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, 325 watts
Bosch
Bosch The stand mixers from Kenwood and Bosch differ in their mixing methods. Kenwood mixers use planetary mixing, while Bosch mixers utilize attachments that rotate in two different directions.
In terms of performance and features, Kenwood and Bosch’s mixers are quite similar. Both brands produce powerful mixers with a range of attachments that can handle a variety of kitchen tasks.
Here are the Amazon links to two popular Bosch stand mixer models:
- Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer, 800 watts, 6.5-Quarts:
- Bosch Compact Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, 400 watts, 4 Quarts:
Final thoughts
In general, Kenwood is an excellent brand for kitchen appliances, including mixers. Based on my personal experience, I own two Kenwood stand mixers, including a Chef and a vintage Major, and have found them to be durable and capable of performing a wide range of tasks.
While the Kenwood company is most well-known for its standing mixers, which have been produced for over 70 years. Their diverse product range makes it easy to find a mixer that suits your needs in terms of features and capabilities.
Kenwood Stand Mixers FAQ
1. Where are Kenwood mixers manufactured?
Kenwood mixers are currently manufactured in the Chinese factory of the DeLonghi Group, although they are designed in the UK. The Kenwood company was originally headquartered in Working, UK, and in 1962 it relocated to its current location in Havant, Hampshire, UK. The production of Kenwood mixers was moved from the UK to China in 2002 after merging with the Italian DeLonghi company.
2. Do Kenwood attachments fit all Kenwood mixers?
Attachments are mostly compatible within the same mixer line. Chef mixer accessories can be used with Major and Chef models, but will not fit the Prospero line. Some older attachments may require an adapter to fit new Kenwood Chef or Major models. It is best to confirm which accessories are compatible with a particular mixer based on the model number located on the machine’s bottom.
3. What is the most popular Kenwood mixer?
The most popular Kenwood mixer is the Chef, a high-quality stand mixer suitable for a wide range of tasks which makes it a popular choice among home cooks and professionals. The Chef is easy to use and can be combined with a variety of attachments. The first Kenwood Chef was created in 1950 and has been popular ever since, thanks to its durability and longevity. Equipped with a powerful motor, it can mix thick batters and knead tough doughs easily.