I just made a cake this week, and after using my attachments (paddle for cake and dough hook for fondant) I realized they had a black film on them that is very difficult to get off. Yes I re made the batter and fondant by hand. Actually I can't get it off at all. Has anyone had this problem?? I always wash them in the dishwasher, but they have never been like they are now. I can't even use them, they would put off this awful substance into my mixtures.

I tried soaking them in bleach. Bad idea, now they are black with little crystals all over them. I'm going to have to just replace them but just wondering if anyone has had this issue??

I never wash my metal attachments in the dishwasher. Either husband or daughter put them in there once and they came out covered in spots like they'd been corroded. Never again. Not sure what the black film on yours could be though.

Mine got crystals on it after I washed it in the dishwasher. I went to dillards and bought a replacement for my paddle attachment. It's plastic with rubber on the edges. It works so much better because it scrapes the sides of the bowl and you can put it in the dishwasher.

KA mixers are known for leaking oil just google it and you will see it everywhere. It gets on the attatchments and then into your food, this is the reason I purchased a Cuisinart. KA is not what it used to be and their custormer service is horrible, good luck to you though hope it all works out.

Oh my gosh! Oil! Thats horrible!! I'll try some replacements and hopefully that will make it better since I spent a pretty penny on the dang mixer! Thank you all, wish I had a dillards.. is that like a Macy's?

Williams-Sonoma still guarantees the KA's for life. I will always get a free replacement.

Wow! I have been putting mine in the dishwasher for over 2 years now and I've never seen ANYTHING like that. Scary! Sorry this happened to you. I think I will start hand wahsing, just in case it isn't the oil leak that did it.

I wash mine in the dishwasher, too. No problems.

however.....

Just 2 days ago, one of my regular cooking pans came out of the dishwasher with a black film that totally coated the outside of the pan. My silver pan was now totally black! It looked and felt like soot! Some Dawn on a heavy duty scratch pad took it off in just a few minutes. Never happened before ..... no idea what it was.

Sometimes freaky things just happen!

I would call KA and explain what happened, see if they will send you replacements. I had problems with my paddle after putting it in the dishwasher a few times where the white coating started to flake off, and KA sent me a new one at no cost. Worth a try!

I never heard that Kitchen Aide customer service is bad. I know that they are working very hard to correct problems with some of their mixers. By the way, they are made in the USA so lets hope they correct their problems. We can't afford to lose any more jobs in the USA.

Sounds like electrolysis. It is a common occurence in the dishwasher but normally gets the blades of table knives first. The eletricity finds the weakest metal and that must have been your attachments in that load (and Debi it must have been your pan).

BTW, if you see pitting in your metal items make sure your dishwasher detergent does not contain citrus. It wreaks havoc on metals.

I always wash my KA components in the dishwasher... sometimes several times in one day. I've never had a problem. I'm on my second KA mixer (after giving my 5 qt to one of the kids and purchasing a 6 qt) and have never had any issues with oil leaks... or any problems at all. It's definitely my #1 baking tool!

I too have had problems with my KA attachment in the dishwasher. Black powder rubs off right onto my hands. As far as getting a replacement does it matter that I didn't send it fo rthe warranty?

Call KA. They are super nice.

Jennifer

From what I understand the leaking grease is veggie based and totally harmless. This was told to me by the KA people. I told them I still didn't want veggis grease dripping in my white butter cream. They say turn it on for a few minutes and it shouldnt do it, but it does. And though made in the U.S.A., they are NOT made the same at all. My aunt's KA, which is about 20 years old works way better and doesn't leak then mine. As much as I love KA, they are too expensive to start breaking down the way they do. I cna just hear my motor wanting to die and I've only had it 5 years.

I just had to replace a paddle after 11 years because the covering split. I had hand washed it the first 4 or so years since I didn't have a dishwasher but then the last 7 it was done in the dishwasher. The replacement I ordered from Amazon.com looks like it's enameled as opposed to the slightly rubbery coating on the original. I was warned to handwash this one and I will. My Wilton instructor had the paddle with the side spatula and that looks so cool.

I've never had an oil leak with mine (crossing my fingers) and it's still my favorite kitchen tool.

Has nothing to do with any "oil leak".

It's oxidized aluminum--basically, aluminum rust. It's the result of the polished surface being degraded by a combination of the chemicals and abrasives in the dishwasher soap, your water's chemical makeup, and electrolysis. It can vary from very mild to the pitting that's been described.

On my original 4.5 qt. KA, I distinctly remember instructions to NOT put the attachments in the dishwasher. They were to be washed by hand for this very reason.

When I got my larger 6 qt., the blade was the white, coated one, so it wasn't an issue.

The advice above to go over the pieces with toothpaste or cream of tartar paste is a great idea. It may salvage it enough for use.

I use a Beater Blade now and I'll never go back to the old one. Just wish they'd come up with a dough hook, too!

Rae

Someone mentioned oil leaking. I was explaining where that came from, not why the thre attachements got messed up. Mine are still fine, so that I couldn't help with.

Well if it has nothing to do with an "oil leak" then I guess that is just another problem KA mixers can have.

I'm sure the coated beaters were an attempt to halt the problem because so many people didn't heed the warning to not put them in the dishwasher. Truth is, the coated beaters have their own set of problems.

Any mixer can have a problem. We just hear about more associated with KA because KAs are so prevalent--not only in businesses, but in many home baker's kitchens.

Cuisinarts and Vikings weren't even on the "average" baker's radar until a few years ago because they were 2X+ the cost of a KA--and they're still pricey enough and less "visible" than KAs. Commercial Hobarts (the KAs big brother) are generally too big for a home kitchen and way more $$$.

The more product you have out there, the more problems you'll hear about. I hear about lots of problems with Fords and Toyotas, not so much about Porsches or Fiats.....

Rae

As much as I don't like having problems with my KA cause of the cost, if I had the money to buy a Porsche, it better not have sh*t wrong with it!

KAs are not the same anymore. They've got lots of problems. Are you sure it's not oil that leaked from the top on to the attachments? They're known for this.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/kitchenaid_mixers.html

Expensive cars are notorious for having repairs. When shopping for luxury cars, buyers know to make sure they can afford the repairs and upkeep as well as the cost of the vehicle.

We need to remember that in a commercial setup, the KA, or any other electronic, is being used far more than the average user. Again, consider purchasing from Williams-Sonoma for the lifetime warranty on all major elecrtics and keep the proper paperwork.

There are better blades out there than the original. You may not realize how much time you spend scraping the sides. With the Beater Blade, it is a noticeable time-saver as well as convenience.

If the Porsche had a problem, they'd keep it very, very quiet........and being so rich, you'd be so embarrassed that you'd never tell anyone

No, it's NOT the oil. If it was the oil, then any oil in what you mixed would do the same thing..............

Rae

Def. not the oil, but the dishwashing powder. I was in a hurry one day and put my wisk attachment into the dishwasher and the same thing happened. This was after ruining one of my favorite pizza pans in the dishwasher. I had washed it in there for years, then all of a sudden, the pan was ruined. Despite all the washing and scrubbing, it is still blackish and I get a film off of it. Going to try the paste idea (thanks!) but I now handwash the other attachments (except paddle because it's covered). I think it had to do with the particular powder I used, but I don't know what it was.

Do you think it's okay to use the bowl in there still?

I have noticed my last two batches of buttercream (indydebi's) tasted metallic, but first thought it was bad crisco, but even a new container didn't fix it. My husband didn't notice it so I thought it was me, but now I'm second guessing myself.

Well I would hope the Porsche people would accomodate my rich behind, in order to keep me buying their expensive cars. I feel KA can do better then they have been. Now if only I had a rich behind...

If WIllimas & Sonoma gurantee it for life, then I will have to look into buying it there. I do need another one.

Funny, I got my KA several months ago and I had the same thing happen but the oil source was from above the paddle; it's the area where the paddle hooks into to the machine. I've always used a Kenwood. Gave it to my mom and swithed to KA. Wish I never did... I also find it irritating when removing the paddle, releasing the paddles - my hands get all messy, etc. With the kenwood, it had this latch that instantly releases the paddle and no mess. Waited months for my KA as the Kuwait agent didn't have it in stock - actually had to have mine personally ordered from Dubai! Am thinking now of switching back to Kenwood once they go on sale here. Think I was taken by the colors and how everything looked so nice on the Food Network shows! lol... silly...and regret it big time.