Food mixers are relatively simple appliances. Even so, they can have problems. When they do, here's how to take care of them.
How Does It Work?
A food mixer is simply a motor with gears and speed controls.
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A food mixer is a motorized small appliance that blends recipe ingredients in a mixing bowl. A small motor rotates detachable beaters in opposite directions. A speed controller varies the electrical current delivered to the motor, thus controlling the beaters' speed.
Food mixers come in portable (hand) and stationary (stand) models. Lightweight portable mixers with small motors handle easier mixing and blending jobs. Stand mixers with larger motors and components can mix larger bathes of ingredients and can kneading dough as well. Portable and stationary mixers operate about the same and can be fied the same way, too.
What Can Go Wrong?
As with other simple small appliances, problems typically involve the parts you use the most. The electrical cord may be faulty. Switches, the motor or motor fuse, and the speed control can all fail. Beaters can be bent or worn and gears can be misaligned.
Fix-It Tip
Mixer speed controls have numerous wires and contacts. If the contacts become corroded or need cleaning, use a small piece of emery paper. Of course, make sure you don't remove excessive amounts of the contact, or it will not close.
How Can I Identify the Problem?
You can test the electrical cord by disconnecting it from the motor and using a multimeter.
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If the mixer doesn't work at all, make sure the power is on to the electrical outlet and check the electrical cord . Next, test the switch, and check the fuse and replace if defective.
If the mixer doesn't function on all speeds, test the speed control switch and replace it if faulty (see the Appliance Controls Fix-It Guide).
If the motor hums but the beaters don't turn, test the motor and replace it if it is seized.
If the mixer vibrates, check to see if the beater shafts are bent or worn and replace if needed. Also check internal gears for misalignment and service if needed (see the Motor Fix-It Guide). Finally, examine the motor and replace it if the shaft is bent or the motor is sparking.
Fix-It Tip
As you disassemble a food mixer, list the components on a piece of paper as they are removed. Note any special information, such as "black wire fastens to upper terminal." Then simply reverse the list to reassemble the appliance.
What Parts, Materials, and Tools Do I Need?
Replacement parts for specific-model food mixers are available through the manufacturer or aftermarket parts suppliers. The tools you'll need to dismantle and repair a food mixer include these:
- Screwdrivers
- Small wrenches
- Multimeter
Remove fasteners on the food mixer's base to access internal parts.
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What Are the Steps to Fixing It?
Disassembling, testing, and fixing a food mixer is similar to disassembling, testing, and fixing other small appliances. Refer to the fix-it guides for electrical cord, appliance controls, motor, fuse, and electrical tests.
Fix-It Tip
Modern food mixers typically contain circuit boards. Do not attempt to repair them. If one tests defective or you suspect that it is so, remove and replace it with an identical circuit board from a parts supplier.