Kitchenaid Mini Stand Mixer Test & Review KSM3311XHT ~ Amy Learns to Cook 

I'm a chef with many years experience with Kitchenaid mixers, from tilt heads to the lift models - I ended up buying the mini for home as I only bake in small batches and knew what to expect from the unit. I haven't had any issues with the dough climbing the hook or spinning around like shown, nor has the unit had a burning smell or ran hot after a batch of dough. There is a flex edge beater now available too to help with creaming. This video may put off prospecting buyers but keeping in mind I'm going to assume that Amy is used to her full size mixers and a miniature unit like this wouldn't suit her needs :)

She keeps talking about how little it is. That's really the point of the 3.5 mini. Not everyone is cooking for an army. This model is perfect for small kitchens and small households. I bought this and haven't had any issues with vibration or burning smells or running hot. It's really just right for my kitchen and my lifestyle.

Hi Amy, I am so glad I found you. I thank you for doing these demonstrations so we can see first hand what each mixer does.. Thank you. Because If I just went on size, I'd have something I wouldn't want.. you do comparisons great. !!!!

Thank you for the very informative demonstration, I’m some one who has not experience in baking, very little on cooking. I just learned how to make bread (mixed all by hand) and got exited about making more, so ordered a mini mixer. I have a big kitchen but wanted a mixer that is not too heavy for me (I’m 74 years old). My first experience with the mixer was good, this morning my husband was mixing cookie dough, and we had a an issue with adjusting the height of the beater, I turned the little screw to the left and lifted the beater up, however I could not lock the mixer head down position, so we had to change the beater to the dough hook. Thank you.

Thanks for making this video. Prior to this demo I set on getting the mini but know I'm not so sure. Yep I live in an apartment and have limited counter space.

Thank you for the detailed review. I think as long as you research the product and know it's limitations and make your decisions based on it's advantages and disadvantages the average consumer should be able to choose which mixer is the right one for themselves. I actually chose to buy the mini for many reasons. The main one was size and weight. I owned a classic for many years and used it constantly. When Kitchenaid came out with the Artisan it seemed to be the mixer of my dreams. The first year I used it quite often, but soon found with my age and various health issues it became more difficult for me to lug it back and forth out of storage to use. I hurt my back several times. It was impossible to leave out on the countertop because of space limitations in my small kitchen. And so it just sat unused for a couple of years. When I saw this in Bed, Bath and Beyond I heard the angels sing. I missed using my Kitchenaid so much and knew this one would fit the bill for me. We are empty nesters, so quantity cooking is not a concern. I also don't bake bread. It's something I have never enjoyed doing, but I do like to make cookies as well as other baked goods and I love to make homemade pasta. So the mini will sufficiently handle the small batch cooking I do at home and allow me to continue to enjoy cooking with a lot more ease. The one thing about this mixer that bothered me was the price. I ended up selling my almost new 5 quart Artisan to my son and d-i-l at a very, very steep discount. They had been wanting one, but couldn't afford the price of a new one. I used the money from it and a BB&B 20% off coupon to make my purchase price more reasonable.

I got the Ultra Power Plus model as a gift. It's a 300 watt motor with a 4.5 quart bowl with a handle, plus it came with the pour shield. I made bread dough with no issues. It fits on the counter perfectly.

Amy, I think this KitchenAid Mini Stand Mixer is perfect for a single person like me.

This is such a great and honest review. I was able to demo the KitchenAid Mini when it first came out. Currently there are two versions available. One with a suggested retail for $329, the bowl is as you see it in the video without a handle. KA also offers another Mini with a suggested retail for $349. This $349 version offers the flex edge beater and a metal bowl with a handle. This is a good machine for beginners in the kitchen and people who have very, very limited space. If you have the space and you are cooking/baking for more than two people, it's best to just get the Artisan. With the same amount of watts (325w), you get a better and sturdier machine. Great job Amy and Eric!

Hi, this was really informative. Probably the most helpful and thorough review I’ve seen on this thus far. I live in a small studio apartment, so a larger mixer is not an option, though I take your wisdom and will just lower my expectations and know the limits of this mixer. I’m not an experienced baker or cook at all so as a starter mixer I guess it’s ok for me to hang on to it. (I got it to replace a hand mixer I’ve had since childhood -the 1970s... sooo.... for people like me maybe it’s ok). But what I can do with it makes me love baking, some day maybe I’ll upgrade keeping your info in mind.

I saw this the other day and thought it would be perfect for me since I dont have much counter space. but this cost more than alot of the regular size mixers. so I will be getting the regular series soon hopefully. this will be my first stand mixer and can't wait to do some baking and cooking!

Good review. You're right about the dough hook on the Artisan, it's a C-hook. I have an artisan and it's not the great at making bread. I would love to get a bigger more powerful mixer someday to have in addition to my artisan,but unfortunately I just can't afford it now

Love this machine. This is the right machine for me and my daughter. Every morning I bake dinner rolls and bake cake afterwards.I use the hand mixer and maybe one day I can buy that artisan mini Kitchen aid or any stand mixer that I can afford .I made my dough though my bread maker but it broke 2 month ago.

This small mini mixer would be good for people just starting out on cooking. If you like to cook and cook in large amounts this would not work. But would for people who cook in small amounts or don't cook much. Very cute.

Thank you! This was very helpful. great video

Hi Amy. Thank you for your review. The mini is cute & has a great color selection, but I agree with your review. The bowl lift models are best for bread dough. I own the Proline 7 Qt bowl lift in cooper finish exclusive from WS. Your Commercial 8 Qt is the optimal for bread making. Also, WS does sale the mini with the flex edge beater in select colors. Looking forward to your next video.

And now, in November 2019, we know Amy's concerns were justified. Whirlpool cut too many corners on what should have been an outstanding reprise of the 3C line.

This is Lori Bach. Amy, thank you for another high quality demo and I appreciate the candidness of your conclusion. I'll stick with the Classic Plus model and LOVE the hot pink one that's on your rear counter! Very girlie! The pour guard is an absolute must! Have you contacted Kitchen Aid to inquire as to why they removed the center post on the paddle? If so, what was their response? Wishing you and your husband a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hello Amy this is an awesome review...

Thank you so much for your great insights I also returned mine today,

Hi, Amy. Just saw you on the SMEG mixer. I so enjoy you. I just sent back this mixer because she really bucked. Sounded like it needed a bucket of oil. FYI for others: this video was made in 2016, but it now does come with a flex-edge paddle.

Thank You, I had considered getting the Mini.

Thanks for your reply re the Kenwood machine. Growing up this was THE machine that only well off people could afford. I am trying to decide between the Kitchenaid and it. My main interest in dough capacity.

Hi Amy which stand mixer in your opinion is good enough for family baking please and thanks ( not the very expensive ones )just a few buns or the odd cakes )

Thanks for the great review! I will stick with my Artisan & Pro600.

amy if you want choose a mixer for bread baking what whould you choose (bad english sorry)

amy please help me, I don’t know what to buy neither the artisan or the mini

Get a Bosch Compact. Light, powerful, been making them since 1981, can do this bread recipe. The idea that it's under $200 still, is amazing. See Jenny's test...

What are the diferences between the kitchenaid artisan mini and the MINI?

What Kitchenaid do you suggest for someone who wants to make alot of bread dough?

Amy, do you think thats a best machine to make bread dough.

that was fun Amy. and Eric too!

Could the mini handle two cups of heavy whipping cream?

I love your video and now I'm going to go look up and get me a classic Plus. I really don't have the room for it but I'm going to make room. My husband years ago was going to buy me a KitchenAid for Christmas but I didn't want one now that I'm retired and I'm into Detroit style pizza I need a machine that can handle the dough making part of it.

Can you please let me know if the kitchenaid mini mixer is big enough for 2 people, I only bake in small quantities 12 cupcakes a sponge cake ect but hubby got a good deal £199 that’s sterling but after watching your amazing video I was a little bit worried, never had a kitchenaid mixer before, got kettle toaster and slow cooker and they are amazing, please keep videos coming love watching you love from a very wet England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 xxx

Thank you! Was considering buying one but for the price $350. Plus don’t think I will buy one! I will stick to my big boy! 😂😂😂😂 thank you for the testing!

Very good honest review. I have always wanted a stand mixer, I don't think the mini is for me.

What I've realized with all these mixers expensive or not you still have to scrape the sides of the bowl.

Hey Amy,it's a pleasure to join your review of those coloful machine, to tell you I'm really interest on that machine, me n my husband make bread, I'm tired of mixing the ingredients using my hands with hands,My hands get tired, so whats the best advise n whats the best attachment of those machines, it's a cute one n easy to put away, if i go shop around for it,whats the best model, pls reply n help me out, i'm reading different comments,pls,I like to to read from a comment from you,

Nice review, Amy. Thank you. This is the cutest little mixer. I saw it in the store, but I noticed the KA Artisan mixers were on special at the same time, and the price difference was not much for the bigger mixer. Have you ever used a Varimixer Teddy mixer? I have an older KA K5 mixer (from 1989) and I love it, but I don't think they make any of the flexedge beaters for mine. Thanks for such a thorough review.

hi Amy do you have the pro5 kitchinaid send a video

can you review the other two bosch stand mixer please.

Why is it called mini? That thing is huge! Perfect for my tiny kitchen. I want one! But QVC ain’t got none right now in this pandemic. It definitely looks like it mixes better than the Hamilton Beach.

Hi Amy, thank you for this great review/test! I almost bought this but now I will stick with a larger one.

I wonder why KA designed the mixing paddle without the center post? It seems like an odd design decision but I'm sure there was some reason for it. Anyway, nice review Amy!

Thank you Amy for this wonderful review, I'd rather stay with my 6qt kitchen Aid stand mixer, watching this review made me love even more my 6 qt kitchen aid stand mixer, great job! Amy

Hi, awesome video. My gf bought vollrath 7QT mixer. you may take a look at it. wish to see your review about it

Very good review, in my opinion. This was an unbiased, objective and to the point review.

Hi Amy, the mixer looks quite cute, but I don't like the paddle attachment on it foe sure. The flex beater might help a little but maybe it's the design of the bowl. The colour is really nice though. I don't like where you have to always scrape and it seems like it doesn't mix every ingredient all too well. And that dough hook ...ummm 🤔 no. Thanks for the review I love them.

great thorough review. I never even knew there was such as thing as a KA mini mixer.

Would you please recommend a mini stand mixer for an RV? Thank you

Do you recommend the Tilt-Head or the Bowl-Lift? =)

Good work emi I rate it 100000000013i8288282882 out of 1

hi Amy have you ever made a video of The Artisan design mixer if you have please send me a link

Hi Amy, thank you for testing this kitchenaid, personally I don't think kitchenaid is that good, there are other mixers out there that actually works better. I can actually tell by the attachments, if the attachments aren't better than the model before I usely don't even ask for a demonstration. To me, the manufacturer hasn't really thought about improving the next & also I think that the manufacturer doesn't do enough testing before it goes to the store's. Cheers

Amy I shared the link to the "new" mini. They apparently had a lot of the same issues that you discovered and made slight improvements on it now. Hilarious that it took the company a year longer to notice the issues! Maybe they should pay you to check out new models while still in R&D stage before they hit mass production.

Hi Amy, I want to comment and say Great Analysis on this mixer. At first I was hoping that you would put the Artisan Mini against your ( is it Raspberry Ice?) Artisan Design Mixer but I liked the testing of the mixer itself. Now on the kneading part, I can tell that it was having issues and struggling to make the bread dough. I could tell by the sound of the motor, and worst the electrical smell. I can't have the electrical smell coming from my appliances especially from my blenders, juicers and stand mixers (which I consider essential appliances to have). Now I see why people are choosing Bosch Universal Mixer or Kenwood Chef Mixers So I am on the same boat on whether or not to buy this mixer. I think I would be better off with the Classic Series or Classic Plus.

I make a regular batch of pasta dough with my Artisan and while it labors it never stinks...and the pasta cutter attachment is no problem for it at all...

You need to get your hands on a Bosch Kitchen Mixer.

Can i make 2 whole pound cakes with this mini kitchen aid bowl?

I’ve downgraded my artisan 5qt to artisan mini 3.5qt recently :-( I’m the one you mentioned in the video who has less counter space n a small kitchen so I need a smaller mixer

I have the lift bowl. My ex has a small one don't know if it's a mini or not just a reg. Mixer but small. My mom had a small mixer not mini but small my dad got her in 1980 or 1981. My sister has it after mom died no one uses it much. I use mine.

Made in ?

This was excellent! I'll stick with my 14 cup Cuisinart processor for everything except whipping cream and egg whites, and use my Kitchenaid hand mixer for those 2 jobs. Thanks for doing such a thorough test, Amy! I've never seen any of your videos before, and I'll subscribe now.

Hello! Found your video as I wait for my online purchase of this item. Just thought I would let you know, that the model I purchased came with a bowl with a handle & a flex edge beater (& of course the whisk. I purchased mine from Williams Sonoma. However the model I chose with the "extras" did cost a little more & the color selection was nothing extra. I did chose the Hot Sauce color. My reason for the purchase is.... kitchen is the size of a postage stamp. I so very much LOVE the pink stand mixer in the background of your video. P.S. I am now a new subscriber to your videos.

I got the classic kitchenaid mixer I love mine, its yellow and I got it 15 yrs ago.. best mash potatoes it makes.. love the cookies I can make in there.

crusader

Good review Amy! I'd leave it too, BUT If it's just one person cooking for themselves, it would be a good mixer. a 1 lb loaf would probably do fine in it, they do need to change the beater on it, and the dough hook could be a little better design.It Is a little costly. I only paid 160.00 for my classic KA, brand new.

I wanted to tell you my kitchen aide had broken field wire. I took t to a local repair shop in bowling green ohio

I think this was generated for an apartment type setting which makes allot of sense. You want what this mixer can do but in a smaller version. This things makes nothing but sense; the price point might make no sense... Analysis by the company will show the results. It will most likely survive.

Perfect for Barbie and Ken to make snacks for your kitten....not for Garfield though....

next time take the cover off the pto (for your attachments like meat grinder) and take the temp right off the pto gear, will give you a more accurate temp reading of the gear box which taking a temp of the shell casing is going to provide you useless temp readings!!! if you are smelling that old mixer smell your gear box is starting to run a little hot give it a rest ;) (or buy better grease able to deal with the extra temp and work load..

LOL!!! I saw you got it!

hi Amy

Thanks for the review...and no thank you I have the Kitchen Aid Professional what I'm in the market for is something to do egg whites and whip cream pretty much. I guess I'll just get a hand mixer thanks again

hey amy my artisan is much better on that KA mini

6 cups of flour.

BTW. small has a place for us single people who don't make larger batter..

DOES ANYONE KNOW...WILL IT #KNEADDough? I have NO ROOM, both in my kitchen, nor under cabinets either.. My cabinets are lowered due to "#VerticallyChallenged Folks *I'm just **#SHORT* "! So this K-A mixer, is the only Kitchen-Aid that'll fit under cabinets. Does ANYONE know, will it handle maybe, 4-5 cups of Flour for #BREADkneading? Instead of buying expensive Soft Pretzel Bits each week I make a batch of Jerusalem Pretzels. The recipe calls for 4 cups of flour & I guess it's a semi-High-Hydration dough...depending on how I feel, I'll add 2Cups H20 & 1/2 C milk to 4 Cups flour. HELP?!

It appears to struggle with bread dough and the mixer wiggles

The mini is an over-glorified hand mixer, good for cake mixes pancake mixes and whisking eggs and maybe some mashed potatoes. The smell is probably motor brush smell. I don;'t know why KA cannot utilize a 725 watt motor with a clutch system to ease wear in the gears especially for tough dough. Kenwood have 500 watt hand mixers.

May be you overloaded the machine

I know this is a ridiculously old review, for some reason it just popped up and I always kind of wondered about this machine. It would drive me insane. I'm interested in the little bowl and whisk that goes inside my pro 600, for my purposes that would probably cover what I need. Still, this was cool although your poor friend! We all know that smell. Yikes.

Just saw one now on eBay $699AUS It's the same price as a normal kitchenaid

I have a Bosch Compact mixer, and would not part with it. I've owned 2 Kitchenaid mixers a bowl lift and an Artsan and sold both. The Bosch in my opinion as a far more superior machine and more versatile, as well as being able to store move from place to place in the kitchen. Bonus it's CHEAPER

Not a bad vid but i feel she went into this with a bias because of the size. Its mini for a reason and can't be compared to the larger ones in some respects.

I was so hoping it would be good, so disappointed now with this beater and dough hook, it would die on wholewheat.

it might be perfect for a kid like a nine or ten year old.

She hating on the tiny kitchenaid lol

Loved your review Amy. Your comments are comparable to others I've read online (and not just RU-vid). Way too expensive for such a limited product, too awkward to get stuff in, and doesn't look anywhere near 3.5 qt. capacity with as low as the beaters are compared to height of bowl. Pass. Thanks again.

I think this would be good for pancakes, waffles, and maybe a small amount of muffins. Then, whipping up a small amount of cream. You mention about the Classic Plus. I remember KitchenAid had the Ultra Power 4 1/2 quart, which was the same size as the Classic Plus but had more power, and came in a nice assortment of colors. It would be nice if KitchenAid could bring that model back. But anyway. Yes, this mixer is small. And, so is the KitchenAid Commercial 8 quart, which can, in many cases, be ordered online for less than a couple hundred dollars more than the Mini. It has a 1.3 HP DC motor, stainless steel attachments which are dishwasher safe, is quiet, and takes up about the same amount of space as my KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus. If I could only have one mixer, and being poor as I am, I would take the Commercial 8 quart over the Mini, even if I did live in an RV. Because the Commercial 8 Quart will beat a single egg white just as well as the Mini, and the 8 quart bowl it comes with is just as ergonomic and easy to work with as the one on the Mini: Even the center of gravity is lower in the 8 quart, so the bowl feels at least as light, if not lighter. Good work, Amy. :D

btw my Sunbeam Heritage is still running right along but the toughest thing I would do is a batch of cookies...

Lady, I know nothing about your credentials; this is the first time I watch a video you made and I came across this one pointed to it from an Amazon revue. I myself wrote a honest (negative) revue of this mini which I returned to Amazon... You state at the beginning of your video that you can't make whipped cream in a regular sized mixer with a small quantity of cream and this is untrue. The standard size KitchenAid mixer has an adjustment screw which lets you adjust how deep you want to go inside your bawl. I am able to make perfect whipped cream starting at 1/3 cup cream in the regular. I do hope my advice will help you and others. On the other hand, your dough demo shows the dough raising above the hook; this is because you put quantities exceeding 3 cups which is my assessment of the capacity, while what you did, was using the quantities stated by the manufacturer, which are wrong. You did the right thing, but the mixer is wrongfully advertised. The dough is not supposed to get over the round plate of the hook - the purpose of the plate is to bring the dough back into the mixing area. Besides that, any electrical powered motor with brushes will need a short break-in period for the brushes to sit right and while doing so it will grind a little bit and it will smell a little bit - that's normal and I don't expect anything less from KitchenAid. We can say whatever about the reduced design, but their motors are top notch. I hope I was not disrespectful (if so, I had no intention) and I wish you happy cooking!

Dang, maybe is the dough wasn't as dry as the Sahara desert, these machines would stand a chance. Dough will be sticky until the gluten is developed, you don't need to add a bunch more flour.

Smaller mixer should be a smaller price, but it's not !!

I think you're being overly critical. There are some logical "adjustments" that a user would probably make if they were in the position of a reviewer. However, I do agree that the flat beater needs to be modified. One doesn't need to beat the crap out of everything in order to have a successful mix.

I agree with you completely amy, just buy a Bosch Universal and get it over with, the death bell has rang but kitchen aid is like a cat with 9 lives.

They are nuts to charge so much for this. It's not worth more than say $150 to me

May we listen to another respectable chef.

This isn’t a good buy for the money, Kitchenaid missed the mark on the Mini!