Is Your KitchenAid Mixer Leaking Oil? Here's What to Do. (2024)

Have you noticed oil in the bottom of the mixing bowl, or dripping off the beater? Don't panic!

When it comes to whipping, creaming and blending, it’s no secret that KitchenAid’s stand mixer is the best on the block. But what should you do when your mixer is not running in tip-top shape? Hopefully it’s a quick repair like this secret screw adjustment; or it might be caused by one of these common operating mistakes.

Is My KitchenAid Mixer Leaking Oil?

It might be—but don’t panic yet. If only a small amount has leaked, and the machine sounds normal (no grinding!) it’s still OK to use. Your KitchenAid needs lubrication to do all that handy mixing and whipping, so inside the machine is a lifetime’s worth of solid grease. When you turn on your mixer, the grease distributes throughout the gears to ensure smooth operation. Every now and then, oil can separate from the grease and leak out the beater shaft.

How Do I Prevent a KitchenAid Mixer from Leaking Oil?

If you noticed a little oil in the bottom of the mixing bowl or dripping off the beater, try running your machine to redistribute any separated oil. Crank up the machine to speed 10 and let it run without ingredients for about two minutes. Then, wipe away any excess oil you see.

Do this periodically to prevent oil leaks, especially if you haven’t used your KitchenAid in a while. Also, remember to let your mixer cool completely between uses—an overheated machine can be another cause of oil leaks.

Does My KitchenAid Mixer Need Repairs?

Most likely the oil leak on your mixer will not cause damage to the machine, and the grease is food grade so it will not contaminate any of your favorite stand mixer recipes. But if you’re concerned about excessive oil leaking, and running the machine without ingredients doesn’t seem to help, you may need to have it repaired.

KitchenAid offers “shipping kits” that include a box and packaging materials to safely ship your mixer to their factory in Greenville, Ohio. You can also contact KitchenAid to find out if any of their service centers are located near you.

Use Your Stand Mixer to Whip the Cream for a Dreamy Dessert

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Strawberry Cupcakes with Whipped Cream FrostingFresh strawberries are full of water, so they have a tendency to weigh down cake batters and make soggy cakes. That’s why these strawberry cupcakes rely on strawberry jam or preserves. The concentrated flavor is just right for light and tender cupcakes. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Chocolate Chess PieThis is one of my mother's go-to recipes. It's a yummy spin on classic chocolate chess pie. — Ann Dickens, Nixa, Missouri

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Rhubarb Custard CakeRhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don't bother! Of all the desserts I've tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

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Berry Rhubarb FoolA "fool" is a British dessert that's usually made with custard. This is a modified, quicker version I created. My kids love it because it doesn't taste like rhubarb—so I guess it's well named! —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Pumpkin Shortbread DessertMy family prefers this to traditional pumpkin pie, which is just fine with me. It feeds a crowd, so I need to make only one dessert instead of several pies. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

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Chocolate Mint Truffle TartEating a slice of this decadent dessert is like biting into a smooth truffle candy. You can vary the flavor by using raspberry-flavored chocolate baking chips.—Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

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Contest-Winning Pumpkin Cheesecake DessertWith its gingersnap crust and maple syrup drizzle, this rich and creamy spiced pumpkin dessert never fails to get rave reviews. It cuts nicely, too. —Cathy Hall, Phoenix, Arizona

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Tangerine Chocolate SemifreddoWhen I wanted a new frozen treat for my family, I came up with this citrusy, chocolaty version of classic Italian semifreddo. For an elegant presentation on special occasions, top each serving with whipped cream, a tangerine section and baking cocoa. —Claire Cruce, Atlanta, Georgia

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Chocolate Coconut Pie with Coconut CrustChewy coconut in both the fudgy filling and the homemade pastry crust make this pie a real standout. I mix in chopped almonds for good measure! —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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Up Next: 34 Recipes That Use Up Extra Heavy Whipping Cream

Is Your KitchenAid Mixer Leaking Oil? Here's What to Do. (2024)
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