165 - The Ankarsrum Assistent for BREAD (Roller only) First Impressions / Review - Bake with Jack 

AHA! Since the making of this I have learned that the arm is SUPPOSED to move between the middle of the bowl and where you fix it :-) Hope you get some value out of this one!

I have one of the original ones - from 1958, I believe. It was called Ballerup Master Mixer. I bought it second hand from a retired farmer in Denmark. They had used it for more than thirty years, including mincing meat and such. It still works and works and works

The Ankarsrum is an amazing machine built to satisfy the Insatiable Swedish lust for FIKA - the pastry-laden coffee-break. You won't realize how truly incredible it is at doughs unless you have struggled with a standard fixed-bowl mixer. Not only does the Ankie do it better, it is capable of mixing huge amounts of dough in a single batch. And, the design means that you will do minimal bowl scraping, and that you don't need to stop the machine to add ingredients - pure genius! You also won't need a flour shield as it doesn't slosh ingredients all over the counter. And, no, I don't work for Ankarsrum, I am just a HUGE fan, and grateful that I don't have to struggle with my Kitchen Aid anymore.

I’ve had mine for two years now. I don’t need to measure the flour so much anymore. I use 1L of water/milk and add salt,sugar (if using) and oil. Let that swish about then add the flour to the exact consistency you want. I like how you can see everything as it kneads and get the feel of it. 1L of liquid yields 4/5 loaves,all baked in oven at the same time,cooled and frozen. Good to see you do this video Jack. I love my ‘Ank’!

Bought my Ank about 10 yrs ago and it's the only home mixer I'm aware of that repeatedly handles 5lbs of flour with ease! I've used it for several batches of challah dough (enriched with eggs, sugar, oil) that yields 9.5lbs, one batch after another just as easily as the other without any indication of motor strain. Absolutely worth every cent!

Welcome to Ankarsrum users Jack, I have had my machine for a year now (had a variety of others during my days) and I am so happy that I at last invested in a proper dough mixer. Cheers from Sweden.

Cool seeing Jack moving into related topics. Yeah, Jack stands head and shoulders above all the others. You can see his honesty when you watch how much he's enjoying himself in the videos; that can't be faked. Come to think of it it's hard to imagine Jack being anything but honest. Thanks Jack for this video as a lot of us may not even been aware of this tool for the kitchen.

Had one for close to two years now and it just works. Where the Kenwood and Kitchenaid I have used before gets stressed, this one just churns away. It can also deal with with much larger doughs without breaking a sweat. Took a little getting used to adding the liquid first, but that is just a mental thing. I know of users that have taken over the machine from their parents and having been (ab)used for years just keep going so I have a feeling it will serve you well for a long time.

My Swedish mother-in-law has one from before ankarsrum broke off from Electrolux (at least 30 years old) and it still works perfectly despite the bowl being a bit wonky from my wife getting her hand stuck in between the bowl and the arm mechanism as a child. I got my wife (and myself lol) one as an anniversary gift. We bloody love it!

I bought this mixer in June of 2021 and I love it. I sold a Bosch Universal Pro mixer for the Ankarsrum. I make 8 lbs of sourdough in it regularly and it does a fantastic job. It kneads the way an experienced baker kneads and it doesn't rip the gluten. I also make heavy cookie dough with oats, cranberries, butter etc. and it also does a great job. This unit has been around for over 80 years and it just keeps on keeping on. Don't get Kitchenaid junk with plastic gears. This is a heavy duty unit with a 25mm belt drive. The Ank doesn't walk itsefl off the counter either.

My grandmother has had hers since the late 60s, and it’s still going. This is probably the best machine you can buy for breadmaking

The Ankarsrum has been about since the 1940's in Sweden where it was invented. I've had the Ankarsram for a couple of years now and it has been excellent and came across it when looking for a reliable well built mixer when I broke my elbow and couldn't knead bread. Far easier than our usual stand mixers to load, especially if you need to add ingredients when it is running. The build quality is far superior to many (even the so called king of mixers such as the kitchenaid, only the pro model has metal gears and cost closer to £1000). I have a mate who has lived in Sweden for 20 years and his Swedish wife's mother had this mixer and said there are some that are 40 plus years old still going strong. The Ankarsrum is worth every penny.

Hi Jack, It’s great to hear compliments about my marvellous ‘Ank’. I’ve had mine for a few months now to make bread. My bread making has improved no end. It’s a joy to use.

My mother bought a Electrolux machine (Ankarsrum) when she was 18 in 1988. She passed away in 2015 and the motor in the machine broke the year after when my aunt borrowed it. I love my kitchenaid, But i sometime miss my mothers Electrolux and I am considering to buy an ankarsrum to use for heavier doughs, and use my kitchenaid for the more everyday baking I usually do.

I´m very happy to hear your take on this wonderful machine. I have had mine for 12 years and it still works just as well as the day I got it. I chose it because it´s the kind of machine that both my grandmothers had been using for as long as I can remember, so I knew it was a great work horse, and I could get the attachments that they were no longer using. And even though mine was a newer model, the old attachments fit without issue.

I have a blue one for maybe about 4 years now. So far its holding up better than my kitchen aid and is more gentle

The Ankarsrum Mixer is a very old design from 1940, and it hasn’t changed much since then - but it has been called different names over the years. It’s virtually indestructible, as the tanky look suggests, and it’s STRONG. I have one without the timer. I haven’t used it much, though - but when I do it’s perfect.

I’ve been using my Ank for four years and it really is a tough machine. I make bread every day for my family and I couldn’t do without it. It also makes brilliant meringue too. My Ank has pride of place in my kitchen and worth every penny.

I have had the Ank for a couple of years and I absolutely love it. I have put up to 18 cups of flour and even then it works beautifully.

My mum got her one used from my grandmother before I was born (nearly 37 years ago) so it must be close to 40 years old...she's still using it. And now she has just bought me one...arriving tomorrow, can't wait to start using it 🥳🥳

I have used one since 2009. Alhamdulillah, working really well. My brother's family uses it now. They do pizza dough, cake, roti, naan. It gets used everyday for small and big batches. I just put the cake batter in the dough bowl, let the scraper do the mixing for me. Can't be bothered to use the cream bowl. If someone bakes 1~2 times a week or a month, kitchen aid will work. If you use your regularly, or use large dough amounts, Ankrarsrum is the way to go.

I think it’s awesome that you presented us with a short, excellent video talking about the mixer people saw in the background of your studio kitchen. It’s not always possible to hand mix large batches of dough, for a variety of reasons. I’m betting the majority of your audience didn’t know a machine like the Ankarsrum existed and were intrigued by this video. I am a sourdough home baker and bought the Ank in June 2020 while working from home in the pandemic. I also own two KA mixers, but they rarely come out these days. My “Ank the Tank” is such a workhorse and I truly love this machine. It does take some relearning after the KA, but so worth it. Like others have written, it is so worth every penny spent. What a wise investment if you bake bread! Cheers, Jack!

I've had mine for at least 30 years. I know, long time and I still use it to make my weekly bread. It is a workhorse! Made 3 large loaves at once, just to see how much it could take. No problem. This could be an heirloom item.

This worked great for redoing the shower/bathtub of my kid's bathroom. ru-vid.comUgkxfiuHoZJo3bgdVPFRxQ-iqPpfbEHl2cYt I didn't like the guide, so I took it off. I just used a fine tipped sharpie on the tile and followed that line. It does make a wet mess, and once I started looking like I wet myself I started wearing a towel and apron while cutting. The blade it came with worked great until we wore it out. It was better than the replacement one we bought. I tried looking for just their blade, but failed. Not really for larger tiles unless you stack stuff on either side to support the tiles. Anyway, would definitley buy again.

My grandmother gave us one of these. We love it

Hi, Jack. I just made my first bread ever, by following your no. 130 video. I was so nervous and also excited. But it turn out so good I might cry a tiny bit of tear. Thank you for the detailed explanation and tips!! I'll be waiting for more of your videos in the future!

Mine moves too, like you say - it’s supposed to do it. I’ve had mine for 2 years and I LOVE how it can handle large batches of bread dough. I have a KitchenAid and it can’t handle anywhere near the volume of the Ankarsrum! It’s a work horse x

Had mine for 5-6 years. It's a solid piece of equipment and it just works.

thanks jack, i’ve been struggling in choosing the mixer, now i got an idea from your helpful video,, thanks jack,,

Thank you for this demo Jack. It appears to be far more of a machine than I could ever make use of but it was interesting to see what it can do. From your video and the comments from others that have one, it's apparent that its quite a workhorse compared to a stand mixer with a hook. So quiet too! Thanks again!

Great to see your wonderful face again Jack! Your the real deal, love your stuff! 🙏🤸‍♂️

I received this machine for my bday from my wonderful husband who spoils me. Since using it for a little while now I love it! I like to grind my own flour and it can be tricky to work with. This machine makes it easier and I can put 4x the amount of dough in it than my old kitchen aid that I had for 18 years and simply wore out. I love that if I get it going a little quickly it doesn’t wiggle or walk itself off of the counter! And the timer! I loooove the timer! I can set it and go do other things and not worry about forgetting it. All in all, it’s a keeper! Pricy, but totally worth it.

that rotating bowl is EVERYTHING! LOVE IT. Also, pretty quiet for a mixer :)

I have one (live in Sweden) and this machine really made me ’know the dough’ . I never start with a fixed weight of dough. Just an range between min and max flour. When the dough is on its way I add small amounts and pinch the dough to feel if it has come together to a nice supple dough. That is when I stop. I sometimes have some flour left and sometimes I need to add a little bit. The machine really taught me to make a proper dough. The arm swinging a bit is the arm adjusting to the load of the dough preventing it from strangling the dough!

My mother had one, made a lot of bread in it. First service was at 25 years of age when it had the belt replaced. Then it lasted for about another 25 years without service. I got one myself, almost brand new at only 15 years of age. Wonderful machine! A few smaller changes has been made over the years, but it is almost the same orginal design. Main drawback is that there are some aluminum cast parts that should NOT be put into the dishwasher!

Never heard of this. Thank you Jack, I am definitely going to consider it!!

I have a Magic Mill Assistant (older version of your new one) It is years old when the company only made it in white and the white front panel is turning yellow from age but that didn't have any effect what so ever on its performance. Yes there is definitely a learning curve compared to your standard mixers (KA) but worth the time to learn. But it once, have it forever! You will never need another mixer. Enjoy using it. I wish I had a newer one in one of those nice colors now available.

I have had mine for 10 years! And its the rock!

That’s a VERY kind and generous gift! I looove my Ank…and use it to make 6 loaves of bread from freshly ground grain (Einkorn and Kamut mix) at a time. Money well spent! (Mine is pink…and they don’t make the pink anymore. LOVE IT!)

We're buying one. Never knew about this. Thank you.

I have one and I also have the Kitchen Aid mixer. The Ankarsrum is on a different level over the KA. I’ve made cake batter, cookies, pizza dough, focassia, and buttercream in it. I love this machine. Yes, it takes a little to get use to but it is well worth the process. It can be left alone to mix and it will still be on the counter when you return. If you leave a KA while mixing it just might be on the floor when you return. I don’t have the attachments and I really don’t need them. I just need it for baking and it certainly does the job very well.

I’ve just ordered the black chrome one & it’s arriving on Wed 1st May 2024. I so love Jack’s recipes. He’s the master bread maker & it’s on his advice I’m buying the Ankarsrum. I know I’ll love it. Great video Jack. 😘👏👍X

I’ve had this machine for. about 20 years. It is my workhorse. Never any problems. Very different to any other mixer. Mine also has a whisk. I love its sturdiness, and still get a kick out of it every time I use it. It stays on my counter ( because it is heavy) but pulls forward easily when I want to use it. It does almost anything with its easy attachments, but does not make coffee! Yes, I use the bowl for letting my dough rise too. Guess the manufacturers realize no use changing something that works so well. My old one looks just like your new one!

Ankarsrum is awesome, made 5kg doughs in it and it didn't break a sweat! So easy to add ingredients, so simple to use it is a pleasure to use it. 👌🙂👍Also find it much easier to use than the kitchenaid style ones for example.

We've had ours for over 20 years. The name then was Elektrolux also a swedish brand. My grandmother had one as well a she baked for both of her childrens familys when I was growing up. Great show.

I still have one from my grandmother from the 40s. A good machine

Nice to see, that the Ankarsum I bought for 3 years ago suits you too

I’ve had one of these for nearly a year now and love it.wet doughs I use the roller (very wet doughs may take 20mins on 3/4 speed) but for low hydration ( 60% or less ) I use the dough hook on speed 2.you can feel the dough whilst it is mixing and dead easy to add ingredients.It is built like the proverbial Brick s********,hope it lasts.

I am so glad you did a video on the ank, cuz most people don't know about it. Its a good machine, although I think there are some spiral machine that are better bang for the buck for making bread, they ONLY MAKE BREAD. Yeah anyway, would love to see more recipes video showcasing the ankarsrum.

I’m in the States and just got my Ank in April. Unfortunately we moved to another state and had to take my Kitchen Aid so the Ank stayed in the storage unit and we will pick it up next year. I must say, there is a learning curve when you start using it and you move from any other mixer. I used it only twice so I will have to learn how to use it when we finally pick it up again

Well you’ve peaked my interest Jack. Glad they chose you to try their machine as you have done it justice. I would probably make more sweet breads with this as my writs can’t handle the kneading Bravo on your demonstration!

I have experience with this mixer making cibatta and French baguettes and it works amazingly with it! Makes amazing pasta too

Well dang, Jack! With your most recent newsletter, I realized that I haven't been getting notifications on this platform!😳 The good news is that I can binge watch BWJ for a bit! 😁

Many folks who make ALL their bread at home with home-milled whole grain flours and like to do fairly large batches just LOVE the Ankarsrum. I can't afford one (and really don't need to make that much at one time), but even so I think of the Ankarsrum as the "Cadillac" of mixers for those who are always working with 100% home-milled whole grain breads (and pizza dough, cookies, muffins, etc., etc.). Really, Jack, it would be awesome if you would -- at least on the side -- start baking such breads. Such bread is WOW-fully nutritious. "Grains in Small Places" is a RU-vid channel where she shows you how it works for her with her home-milled flours. I use a less-expensive Nutrimill Artiste. One really needs a powerful heavy duty mixer when baking 100% freshly milled grains!

Very interesting design. I like it 👏👏👍

WOW, I'm definitely going to check this mixer out to see if I can get it here in the states! Quiet too 💖 I have always used my kitchenaid mixer to knead bread then I finish kneading by hand until it feels right & it truly cuts down on the manual labor. I wouldn't use it as the only way to knead but I started using it because I had to the rotator cuff in my right shoulder. From then on it's been invaluable. Thanks for sharing this. 💖💖💖

Thank you! This has indeed piqued my interest but not quite the wallet...yet... Adding to my "wishlist". ;) I love your videos.

One of my baker friends in Canada has two of those mixers and she loves them! I opted for a FAMAG IM-8S which I'm in love with but the FAMAG is much more costly than the Ank and it can only make dough. (No other attachments) with that said, I still love that machine

1958 model called electrolux assistent! Quite and a work horse! All original! Thanks for your review!

I've had my Ank for about a year now. I got it to replace my 7 year old Kitchenaid Pro that just couldn't handle heavy doughs. I use the dough hook for 3 pounds of sourdough bread twice a week, occasional high-hydration doughs, and heavy vollkorn loaves. I used the roller once but didn't care for it. The "cake" bowl, beaters and whisk are a bit difficult to scrape down, but ultimately do a better job than the Kitchenaid ever did. There is definitely a learning curve. When first starting out, I found it difficult to find info about how to use it so there was a lot of just try it and see what happens. I'm in the US and mine came with a 7 year warranty. So far, I am very happy with it.

We have the original made by Electrolux. Manufactured 1970. Still runs as new. Given that spare parts are somewhat hard to come-by in case of breakdown the given choice of replacement is the Ankarsum.

I’ve had mine for only 8 months but Ankarsrum make my bread baking much more fun.

I have had one since 2001. Mine is/was called a DLX. It still works just was well today and when I first bought it. At first I used it to make whole wheat bread from the grain I ground myself, upwards of 5 loaves at a time. This machine is a true workhorse! Use the beaters and make some whipped cream....I dare you. LOL

They last for decades well worth the money I love mine it's everything Jack says it is

I have had my Ankarsrum for about 4 years now. After my big Kitchenaid lift bowl died after 2 years (it's now made in China). I initially bought it for bread making (which it excels at), but I use it for everything possible now. One of the best purchases I ever made. I add my flour gradually as the amount needed can vary from batch to batch.

I so need this in my life

Looks great, and appears to do a better job than my Kenwood, which I have to finish off with some hand kneading.

Gifted to you! You lucky Bus...d.ok seriously now,I'm looking at this mixer because I love making 100% hydration dough.thanks much

I love my Ankarsrum ❣️

Wor Jack getting mechanised! Whatever next 🤪 This looks a very nice bit of kit and I'd certainly consider getting one if I had the space I had before downsizing. I have a problem which means that I can’t hand knead all my doughs. For a few years now I’ve used a basic, Wahl hand mixer with dough hooks to bring the dough together then just 1.5 minutes each x 2 halves and finish by hand for a couple of minutes. Years ago I first started with a vintage Kenwood Chef 1A which was very noisy and a cast alloy gear broke which was apparently unheard of. Later I had Kenwood hand mixers as used on telly. They felt very solid and were quite heavy. I went through 4 of those which all broke within the warranty period (the dough hook shaft failed at a joint in its stem) - I gave up on them and finally had a full refund. Many appliances nowadays have inadequate motors and gears (usually plastic) and are built to fail -out of warranty. In the past, my white and wholemeal loaves have come first in the Northumberland County Show - happy days.

Always awesome watching your vids, and sooooo informative while fun. Are you doing a live vid soon?

Mine is 22 years old...so old that it goes by it's former name, Magic Mill Assistant. It looks basically the same, just without the pretty colors the newer machines have. I've thought about buying a pretty color, but I can't justify it when my old one still works so well.

LOVE mine!!!!

I love my Ankarsrum. I’ve made bread, cookies, cakes, icing, whipping cream and butter so far

I am using my grandma’s ankarsum mixer for years… it was made in 1962! Still going strong.

Wow a nice machine Jack and a nice pretty penny as well great demo you.

Just made 4.2 kg of dough yesterday in my Ankarsrum. It didn't break a sweat.

I hope you will do more videos showing how and what you are making with your new mixer is working with your already abundant skills. How is it one year later?

I recently purchased this mixer to replace my KitchenAid Pro 6qt. This mixer is a workhorse. I have made cakes, buttercreams, cookies, brownies, bagels, breads, pretzels, etc... Everything came out perfect! And much quicker and better than with the KitchenAid. It is SO MUCH QUIETER! Love this mixer!

I have promblem with my wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) kneading by hands is a hardwork to do. Hopefully have a dough machine soon

I think you hit the nail on the head: the Ankarsrum is made for bread making unlike the others that tear through dough with that awful dough hook.

I now have my Mother mixer and it is approaching 50 years old and it is still turning out great swedish cinnamonbuns.

I bought one last July and had to wait till October to have it delivered - From Sweden to Canada- high quality, Swedish craftsmanship- I got tired of replacing gears in my Kitchenaid- will not go back- excellent bread making tool- 1500g flour -no problerm- I have the same colour, Jack!!

I’ve been looking at one of these Jack. One thing in addition to what you’ve said that I like is the fact that it is direct drive as opposed to a belt driven machine. That seems to be a stronger type of machine to me. Now that I’ve said that I have to admit I was gifted a K5A Kitchen Aid in 1974!! And it’s been making doughs and most anything else for 1 year shy of 50 years now! And I’ve subjected it to everything I shouldn’t have like taking it to a commercial kitchen to use. I have to hand it a reliability award! But I do appreciate the Ankarsrum should I need to get another machine in my future.

Purchased one 3 years ago.. I WILL say, it DOES take a bit of "getting used to" because it is very different than other stand mixers (making bread). I love the size of the bowl (massive compared to my KitchenAid). VERY easy to add ingredients during the mixing process.. I also use it for: (attachments).. roll out pasta dough, grind my own flour, whipping cream/making cake batters. It is a very powerful and STABLE machine ( because of it's lower center of gravity, does not "walk across" the counter like my KitchenAid). Overall, LOVE it.

Thanks for doing this review Jack, I'm seriously thinking about this mixer for pizza dough. I often use a kitchen aid, but feel it struggle s bit with any more than 1kg flour!

This item is on my wishlist for a few years now. I hope to see how it works sourdough or any other high hydration dough.

Got one; works as advertised.

have one from the sixties. still works. will likely work for my grandchildren as well.... damn near indestructible.

Hi Jack! I had asked about this quite some time back. I went ahead a bought one. I am not even close to your skill set in baking thats for sure. However, I think the "ANK" edges me bum a bit closer. I really REALLY hope you do more with the "ANK" as I have a lot of questions. Thank you for all you do and I really like your vids. From the USA with love and Merry Christmas to all!

Jack, thanks for all these videos ! You’ve helped me improve my baking so much. I have a question unrelated to this video, and I’d appreciate your help ! It looks to me like the nonstick coat on my bread tin is coming off, what could have caused this? Can i still use it? THANKS SO MUCH!!

oh I like it! I normally don't use a mixer for my sourdough breads but I do for Prosphora (yeasted communion bread for church). I have a Kitchenaide stand mixer that does a decent job, though I don't like the dough hook that much. The Ankarsrum mixer looks like a better design.... I will have to save my lunch money for this puppy

I bought mine last year before the lockdown in my country, and I’m soooo glad I did. Although it can handle bigger dough, I found that when the dough is tough (one of the sourdough discard recipes I found online), the roller will push the pin up and quits its work. I have been using it on wetter dough and let it works for more than 30 mins straight, no issue so far.

Very nice video, Jack, thanks a lot. I'm looking forward to bying me a Ankarsrum and therefore I'm just looking at results in the net. BTW: your British English is great! Easy to understand an to follow, not as TV shows as "Top Boy", where I (German) don't understand a word. 🙂

I’ve bought my Ank for £675 & at 76 years old I feel that I deserve it. I’ve only just found out about the Ankarsrum on Bake with Jack’s video. I have fibromyalgia & find it difficult to knead my dough. I’ve also used the dough setting on my Kenwood bread machine & nothing makes my bread as I want it. Well my Ank has arrived today so will start to unpack it tomorrow & try it out of course with Jack’s recipe 130. Wish me luck.👍🤪

I dont know about that machine but you have an entertaining mannerism about you. I think I saw you on TV about 40 years ago (your doppelganger from another generation). I have a "professional" (not commercial) KitchenAid Mixer that does a pretty good job to get things started and I do it by hand after that.

Years after getting mine, I found out those single-threaded whisking things make shortbread (or any room-temperatured butter-in-flour distribution).

Great video Jack. You need to straighten your cupboard doors though. They were distracting me hahaha. Seriously though, very interesting to see the Ankarsrum in action. The dough looked really good. Thank you 😊

I would love one of these (even though our kitchen is rather small). I keep on hoping that our K**wood breaks down (the dough hook cannot be adjusted but doesn’t go close enough to the bowl’s wall). Pricey - especially if you add a couple of attachments.

Nothing like Jack watching Bake With Jack 😉🤣 love the pour over coffee ☕️👌🏻