The 10-Cent Trick That Could Fix Your Stand Mixer

Key Points

• The dime test can help you check if your stand mixer's paddle is properly aligned.

• A dime should move about ¼ inch each time the paddle passes it.

• You can adjust your mixer's clearance with a flat-head screwdriver.

I recently got a new KitchenAid stand mixer, and I couldn't wait to take it for a spin. Holiday baking season is just around the corner, after all! I started by making a simple cookie dough, but I noticed that the mixer was having trouble combining the ingredients. Instead of mixing the dough evenly, the paddle was just pressing it against the sides of the bowl. I started thinking that this new mixer didn't work nearly as well as my old one, and I was a little bummed. But then I remembered the dime test—a simple trick that can help you get your stand mixer working properly.

What Is the Dime Test?

You can use the dime test to determine whether the space between the attachment and the bowl is correct. If the paddle is too far from the bowl, it won't catch the ingredients, and it won't mix them properly. I had a feeling that's what was going on with mine. (Alternatively, if the paddle or other attachments are too low, they will scrape the inside of the bowl—you definitely don't want that. The attachments should move freely.)

The test works for both tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers. And it's as simple as it sounds. You fit the mixer with the paddle attachment, place a dime in the bowl and turn the mixer on low. If the dime doesn't move, the paddle isn't close enough to touch it, so you know you need to lower it. If the dime gets stuck, then the paddle is too low, and you need to raise it. Ideally, you want the dime to move about ¼ inch each time the paddle passes it.

And don't think about using another coin. You really need to use a dime because it's the right thickness for the test.

How Do You Adjust the Mixer?

Once you know what the problem is, unplug your mixer and grab a flat-head screwdriver. For a tilt-head mixer, like the one I was using, you simply tilt the head back and look for the adjustment screw near the hinge. Try turning the screw a tiny bit clockwise if you need the attachment lower and a tiny bit counterclockwise if you need to raise it. After each small adjustment, try the dime test again until you have the right clearance.

For a bowl-lift mixer, you'll need to lower the bowl and look for the adjustment screw on the "neck" of the mixer. Again, turn the screw clockwise to lower the paddle and counterclockwise to raise it. Then repeat the dime test until the attachment moves freely and just pushes the dime ¼ inch each time it passes.

The Bottom Line

If you're noticing problems with your stand mixer, it might just need a little realignment. Try the dime test, and use a screwdriver to adjust the clearance if needed. You will be whipping up holiday cookie doughs and more like a pro in no time!

Read the original article on EatingWell