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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Margarita Tres Leches CakeThe first time I had tres leches cake I felt like I was in heaven. I have made it using several techniques and flavors, but this Margarita Tres Leches Cake is my favorite. —Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts
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Our family adores lemon desserts. I often make this citrus tart for brunch. For extra special events, I bake it in my heart-shaped tart pan. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
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Chocolate Bread PuddingThis is a fun recipe because the chocolate makes it different from traditional bread pudding. It's a rich, comforting dessert. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
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Tart Cranberry CakeYou can't beat this recipe to showcase true fall flavor. The ruby cranberries stay bright and beautiful, and their tartness is irresistible. I've made this cake many times to share. -Marilyn Paradis, Woodburn, Oregon
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Semisweet Chocolate MousseA friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
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Pineapple CrunchA co-worker shared the recipe for this refreshing pineapple dessert years ago. Every time I take it somewhere, it's a favorite. —Betty Wiersma, Sherwood Park, Alberta
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Berry TrifleThis Berry Trifle is a delicious salute to summer! I usually serve it during the summer when fresh berries are bountiful, but you can also prepare it with frozen cherries and light cherry pie filling during cooler months. —Brenda Paine, North Syracuse, New York
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Key Lime Cream PieI am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, with everyone asking for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
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Upside-Down Strawberry ShortcakeFor a tasty twist, this special shortcake has a berry layer on the bottom. The tempting cake is a sweet that our family has savored for years. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri
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Pistachio Cardamom CheesecakeCardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California
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Blackberry DumplingsAs long as I can remember, my mother has been making blackberry dumplings. They finish cooking while you eat—and they really do make you hurry through Sunday dinner! It can be an everyday dessert, too, though. Try it with roast chicken, beef or ham. Sometimes I'll make it in winter just to have a taste of summer. —Liecha Collins, Oneonta, New York
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Spiced Butternut Squash PieMy mom always made this dessert with her homegrown squash. It was my dad's favorite after-dinner treat. I continue to make it to this day. —Johnna Poulson, Celebration, Florida.
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Whipped Cream KrumkakeOur hometown has a rich Norwegian culture. That heritage is evident during our annual Nordic Fest, where this classic krumkake recipe is king. Here's your introduction to the timeless treat. —Imelda Nesteby, Decorah, Iowa
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Easy Fresh Strawberry PieFor my mother's birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama
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Old-Fashioned Chocolate PuddingOne of the nice things about this easy pudding is you don't have to stand and stir it. It's a must for my family year-round! I also make it into a pie with a graham cracker crust that our grandchildren love. —Amber Sampson, Somonauk, Illinois
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Paul’s Pumpkin Patch PuddingThis recipe originated with Donna Esh, whose husband, John, is the manager at the restaurant my brother Jim and I operate. I reworked it slightly and named it after our dad.—John Smucker, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania
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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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Eggnog CheesecakeI make good use of extra eggnog by creating this luscious cheesecake. A bit of rum extract adds a special taste. —Kristen Grula, Hazleton, Pennsylvania
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Butterscotch-Pecan Bread PuddingBread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
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Finger-Licking Good Mini Cream PuffsThis recipe is quick and easy to whip up and the kids will love it! They are perfect to pack for a picnic or to have as a snack for family game night I guarantee you can't eat just one…hey are so addicting & they're perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth! —Jennifer Erwin, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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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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Rhubarb Upside-Down CakeI’ve baked this cake every spring for many years, and my family loves it! Use your own fresh rhubarb, hit up a farmers market or find a neighbor who will trade stalks for the recipe! —Helen Breman, Mattydale, New York
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Bittersweet Chocolate CheesecakeI'm a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. I received this recipe from my niece. It's very chocolaty. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, Ontario
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Dark Chocolate PuddingLife is too short to pass on dessert. This old-fashioned treat is so creamy and comforting! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Caramel Rhubarb CobblerI came up with this recipe after hearing a friend fondly recall his grandmother's rhubarb dumplings. My son especially likes rhubarb, and this old-fashioned dessert lets those special stalks star.-Beverly Shebs, Pinehurst, North Carolina
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Cherry Chocolate Pecan PieI'm a pie baker and this is one my family frequently requests. With the brandy infused cherries and chocolate chips, it's an awesome twist on a pecan pie.—Sonya Labbe, Santa Monica, California
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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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