KitchenAid Has a New Stand Mixer—Food Editors Are Shocked

Senior Editor Megan Scott broke the news during a recent team meeting. "KitchenAid has a new stand mixer; you won't believe it: the bowl is wooden."

As if lightning flashed through the Zoom grid, all our faces froze with shock on the screen.

"Why?! I can't believe it!"

"There's a reason why the bowl is metal!"

"I can't wait to try it... I have so many questions!"

KitchenAid announced its newest stand mixer, 2024 Design Series Evergreen Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, which is available starting today. The company's press release describes the stand mixer as "evergreen, a deep, forest green and with a first-of-its-kind true, walnut wooden bowl [that] brings the beauty of nature to your countertop."

It's no doubt a very attractive stand mixer—I covet it just based on the gorgeous matte green hue. It also features the same functions KitchenAid stand mixers are known and beloved for: a reliable motor with 10 speeds, a convenient tilt head, and the ability to beat, whisk, and knead. It also works with all of the KitchenAid stand mixer attachments.

However, there is a good reason why Simply Recipes editors are stunned by KitchenAid's latest product reveal: the bowl is made of wood.

Most stand mixers come with stainless steel bowls because they are easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, indestructible, lightweight, and can hold food, like chilling dough or batter in the fridge. They won't crack, chip, warp, or absorb odors or oils. A stainless steel bowl is practical—a wooden bowl is not.

KitchenAid's bowl is made with walnut wood, a sturdy and durable wood used to make (great) cutting boards. But just like caring for a wooden cutting board, a wooden bowl requires tending—gentle washing, no harsh scents, no storing food in it, no lengthy exposure to water, and conditioning it with oil to extend its life.

This feels a bit... fussy for a home cook. What do you think? Would you buy KitchenAid's latest stand mixer?

How To Take Care of the Stand Mixer's Wooden Bowl

If you succumb to the siren calls of this gorgeous stand mixer, here are tips for caring for the bowl.

Wash it with warm, soapy water right after each use. I recommend an unscented dish soap because scents will cling to the wood. Then, dry it immediately. This is important: Never ever put the bowl in the dishwasher because it'll crack or warp.

Do not store food in the bowl—it's porous and will absorb odors—and don't soak it in water.

Wood naturally dries out after frequent washings, so you'll need to oil the bowl to prevent it from becoming brittle. Depending on how often you use the bowl, season it with a food-safe oil about once a month. My rule of thumb for caring for my walnut cutting board is to oil once every eight washes. I recommend Howard Cutting Board Oil or Boos Block Mystery Oil, but any brand will do as long as it is food-safe. The oil will create a protective barrier against moisture, preventing it from staining and absorbing orders.

BUY IT NOW: KitchenAid Evergreen Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($699.99)