Tales from the Trenches KitchenAid – Real-life stories of DIY repairs, both successes and failures
KitchenAid appliances are known for their durability and performance, but sometimes they can break down and need a repair. If you are handy and adventurous, you may be tempted to try to fix your KitchenAid appliance yourself, instead of calling a professional service. However, DIY repairs are not always easy or successful, and they can sometimes lead to more problems or even disasters. In this article, we will share some real-life stories of DIY repairs of KitchenAid appliances, both successes and failures, from people who have tried them. We hope these stories will inspire you, inform you, and warn you about the potential risks and rewards of DIY repairs. Having trouble with repair your Kitchen Aid refrigerator in Santa Barbara? Our reliable partner is here to assist. Connect with them for top-notch repair solutions. We’re committed to ensuring your needs are met.
Success Story: Fixing a Slipping Gear on a Stand Mixer
One of the most common problems that KitchenAid stand mixers face is a slipping gear. This happens when the gears inside the mixer wear out or break, causing the mixer to lose power or stop working altogether. This can be very frustrating, especially if you use your mixer frequently for making bread doughs or other heavy mixtures.
One person who faced this problem was Michael P., from Saint Louis, MO. He had a KitchenAid 5 Qt. Stand Mixer Professional Heavy Duty Bowl Lift KG25H7XOB5 that was slipping gears. He decided to take the mixer apart and replace the worn gears himself. He ordered the replacement parts online from AppliancePartsPros.com, which included a new transmission housing, a new worm gear, and new sleeve bearings. He also watched some instructional videos on YouTube to learn how to disassemble and reassemble the mixer.
Michael said that the repair was not very difficult, and it took him less than 15 minutes to complete. He used only screwdrivers as tools. He replaced the transmission housing’s plastic cover with a newer metal one, which he hoped would prevent the gears from slipping again in the future. He also replaced the worm gear and the sleeve bearings, which were worn out. He said that the mixer worked like new after the repair, and he was very happy with the result.
Michael’s story shows that fixing a slipping gear on a KitchenAid stand mixer can be a successful DIY repair, if you have the right parts, tools, and instructions. However, not all DIY repairs are as easy or successful as this one.
Failure Story: Burning Out the Motor on a Stand Mixer
Another common problem that KitchenAid stand mixers face is a burnt-out motor. This happens when the motor overheats or overloads, causing it to stop working or smoke. This can be very dangerous, as it can cause a fire or an electric shock. This can also be very costly, as replacing a motor can be more expensive than buying a new mixer.
One person who faced this problem was Stephanie S., from Punxsutawney, PA. She had a 15-year-old KitchenAid stand mixer that burnt out its motor. She said that she used her mixer almost every day for making cookies, cakes, breads, and more. She loved her mixer so much that she couldn’t live without it. She decided to buy a new motor online from AppliancePartsPros.com and replace it herself.
Stephanie said that she had some help from her 14-year-old son to install the new motor. She said that the repair was not very difficult, but it took them about 30 minutes to complete. They used only screwdrivers as tools. They followed some instructions that they found online to remove the old motor and install the new one.
However, Stephanie’s story did not have a happy ending. She said that after installing the new motor, her mixer still did not work properly. She said that it made a loud noise and smelled like burning wires. She said that she was afraid to use it again, as it might cause a fire or an electric shock. She said that she wasted $70 on buying a new motor that did not fix her mixer. She said that she wished she had bought a new mixer instead of trying to repair her old one.
Stephanie’s story shows that replacing a motor on a KitchenAid stand mixer can be a risky and unsuccessful DIY repair, if you don’t have the right skills, knowledge, or experience. It also shows that sometimes buying a new appliance can be more economical than repairing an old one.
Conclusion
DIY repairs of KitchenAid appliances can be rewarding or disappointing, depending on many factors. Some factors that can affect the outcome of your DIY repair are:
- The type and severity of the problem
- The availability and cost of replacement parts
- The difficulty and duration of the repair
- The tools and instructions that you use
- Your skill level and confidence
Before attempting any DIY repair of your KitchenAid appliance, you should do some research and preparation. You should:
- Check the warranty and service plan options for your appliance
- Find out the average repair cost and compare it to the replacement cost
- Order the right parts from a reliable source
- Watch some videos or read some guides on how to do the repair
- Have the necessary tools and safety equipment
- Ask for help from someone who knows what they are doing
If you are unsure or uncomfortable about doing a DIY repair, you should call a professional service instead. KitchenAid has a network of authorized service providers that can help you with any repair or maintenance issue. You can find them on the KitchenAid website or by calling KitchenAid customer service.
We hope this article has given you some insight into the pros and cons of DIY repairs of KitchenAid appliances. We hope you have learned something from the real-life stories of DIY repairs, both successes and failures, that we have shared. We hope you will make the best decision for yourself and your appliance, whether it is to repair it or replace it.