How do you use the Ankarsrum mixer?

The Ankarsrum Assistent Original mixer looks and sounds complicated, but once the machine is in front of you, you’ll see it’s very intuitive to use. It also comes with a set of instructions that illustrates how to use the machine.

It has a single body construction, with a motor at the base of the machine. It comes with two different bowls that fasten to the base: a large, wide stainless steel bowl for mixing bread, and a smaller, bundt-shaped plastic bowl for mixing cookie dough, cake batter, meringues, and other pastry ingredients. (Longtime users of the Ankarsrum confirm that you can use the stainless steel bowl and dough roller attachment for almost anything, with the exception of meringues, whipped creams, and other ingredients with an aerated texture.)

To turn the machine on, you have to turn the left dial to the ‘on’ position; if you’d like to use the timer, just continue to turn the dial—which goes from 1 to 12 minutes—and the machine will automatically stop when the time is up. The right dial controls the speed, which is represented by rectangles that get progressively larger.

To use the stainless steel bowl, fasten the bowl onto the base of the machine until it clicks into place. You’ll see two holes next to the arm of the machine; the smaller hole is for the dough knife, which should always be used with the stainless steel bowl. The dough knife scrapes down the sides of the bowl, staying still as the bowl rotates. The dough roller attaches to the bottom of the arm with a press-down screw. The arm swivels across the top of the bowl; you can lock it in place if desired. To use the dough hook, insert it into the hole on the side of the arm, next to the dough knife, and attach it to the swivel arm by pressing the top screw.

To use the plastic (beater) bowl, first place the white plastic stem in the centre of the machine, then place the bowl through it. This bowl should be used with one of two attachments: the cookie whisks (for dense textures) and balloon whisks (for aerated textures). To use, press either pair of whisks onto the centre of the bowl, where it attaches to the white stem underneath. The motor will reach through the stem and cause the whisks to move around the bowl.

The Ankarsrum mixer comes with a proofing lid which fits on both bowls (flip it over to use it for the plastic beater bowl), and a dough spatula, which is essentially a dough scraper with a small handle.

For a comprehensive guide to the Ankarsrum, read our review.

When should I use a dough hook?

The dough roller and dough hook can be used interchangeably when mixing bread. The dough roller is much gentler than the dough hook, as it is designed to replicate hand-kneading bread, but in an Ankarsrum, even the dough roller is relatively gentle. However, if you’re working with a large quantity of dough or a high-hydration dough like brioche, a dough hook will get the job done faster.

What attachments are available with Ankarsrum mixers?

A blender (1.3 litres) for soups, smoothies and more, which is strong enough to blend nuts and ice. An inner lid lets you push the lid all the way down in order to blend small amounts of herbs

A meat mincer with three sausage horns (basic). The complete includes an four discs (2.5 mm, 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm) for coarse to fine grinds

A strainer for making fruit and vegetable purees.

A grater for cheese, nuts, and spices

Pasta rollers, designed by Marcato, for lasagna and fettuccine

Four pasta discs, which attach to the 'meat mincer' in order to make fresh pasta (the meat mincing mechanism needs to be fed pasta dough)

A cookie press for making biscuits in round, star, and ridged shapes

A citrus press for quickly juicing oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes

How should I store the machine and attachments?

There are many ways to store the Ankarsrum. You can let it rest on a countertop at all times, or store the machine on top of a fridge or cabinet. It may also fit in a cupboard, upright or on its side.

The plastic bowl stacks within the stainless steel bowl, and you can store both within the nook of the machine. The original attachments can be stored within these bowls, though it’s a bit crowded. We prefer keeping all the attachments in the stainless steel bowl and covering it with the lid when not in use, and storing the plastic bowl separately, as it is light and compact.

For the additional attachments, it is worth keeping a box, basket or cupboard dedicated to Ankarsrum storage, as there are many available. Most of the attachments can be deconstructed to fit into smaller spaces.

How do you clean the machine?

The Ankarsrum and its original attachments are all dishwasher-safe, except for the cookie whisks and balloon whisks. They are simple to clean at the sink with soap and water. To clean the body and motor, gently wipe it down with cloth and, if needed for stains, cleaning spray.

What is the difference between the basic and deluxe package?

The Ankarsrum Assistent Original Meat Mincer Attachment / Basic includes a meat mincer with 4.5 mm holes for a consistent mince. The set also includes a feeding table and knob for pushing the meat through; three sausage horns; and a splash guard. Though called a 'meat' mincer, it is suitable for a variety of proteins, from seafood to chickpeas.

The Ankarsrum Assistent Original Meat Mincer Attachment / Complete includes a meat mincer plus four discs (2.5 mm, 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm) for coarse to fine grinds; a sausage horn for making hot dogs, bratwurst, and vegetarian alternatives; a strainer for making fruit and vegetable purees; a grater for cheese, nuts, and spices; four pasta discs, which attach to the 'meat mincer' in order to make fresh pasta (the meat mincing mechanism needs to be fed pasta dough); a cookie press for making biscuits in round, star, and ridged shapes; a feeder tray and plunger for using with all the features above; and a splash shield for tidiness

The Ankarsrum Assistent Deluxe Package includes all of the above, plus a blender and citrus juice press.