A question that I often get asked is "What’s the best way to clean and care for your Ankarsrum mixer and all of its parts?”. Now I know the manual has instructions and suggestions, so please be sure to check it out - but if I am being honest, I am a little more against using a dishwasher than the instructions say. When you invest in something beautiful and powerful, you want to keep it in good shape. Plus! Maybe you can even pass it on to someone else one day!
So, let’s talk about care tips. I promise it’s not complicated, but there are a few things to know.
Also note - my style of baking/cooking is clean as you go. I might not be the most organized person, nor a precision baker, but I can tell you that cleaning dried dough from a bowl or crusty anything takes SO much longer than when it's fresh. Whip your cream at the same time as you fill your sink with some soapy warm water to put the whisks in after. You will thank yourself every time…and you’ll gain back time!
First Things First: Unplug It (if cleaning the base)
Obvious? Yes. Worth saying anyway? Also yes.
Cleaning the Base Unit
After each use, just give the base a quick wipe with a damp cloth. A little dish soap is totally fine if things get messy (thank you flour clouds and sticky dough fingers), but you don’t need to overthink it.
I usually wipe mine down as I’m tidying the rest of the counter. Two spots I find that like to hide flour are the cap for the side gear motor and underneath the arm.
If your pin is starting to stick, just rub a little food grade oil on it after washing and you’ll be good to go.
What Goes in the Dishwasher (and What Doesn’t)
Some attachments are totally fine in the dishwasher. Others? Not so much. Hand-washing helps extend their life and keep them in the best shape long-term. The list below is my opinion. I added (DS) beside the few that are technically dishwasher safe, but for these I suggest otherwise. My main reason for suggesting not to rely on your dishwasher is because North American dishwashers tend to run a lot hotter than European ones. I feel like it will definitely keep your accessories and parts working better and longer for you by simply hand washing them.
✔️ Dishwasher-Safe Accessories:
-
Stainless steel bowl
-
Whisk bowl (both clear and stainless steel)
Top rack is best for the smaller items. But even with these, I sometimes hand-wash if I know I’ll need them again soon (or when the dishwasher’s already full of sippy cups and coffee mugs).
🧼 Hand-Wash Only (and any other parts but the two above):
-
Dough roller and spatula (DS)
-
Dough hook and dough knife (DS)
-
Whisks (Balloon and Cookie)
-
Vegetable cutter and drums (DS)
-
Pasta discs and sausage horns (DS)
-
Mincer
-
Citrus press (DS)
-
Hole discs and knife
-
Blender
-
Grain mill
-
Flake mill
-
Grater, strainer, and cookie press
Warm water, gentle soap, and a soft brush go a long way. No need to soak, just a quick wash and dry.
Wipe Down Only:
Pasta cutters and roller - these are not meant to be washed. You just need to wipe off extra dough and brush off the dusty flour after every use.
A Few Extra Tips
-
Dry everything thoroughly before putting things away (especially parts with metal).
-
Keep small accessories together in labeled bins, baskets, or even zip pouches.
-
Avoid soaking metal parts like the grain mill or hole discs, it’ll help prevent rust.
These little habits make a big difference. Think of it like caring for cast iron or your favourite coffee gear: the more you love it, the better it performs.
Because Care = Longevity
One of my favourite things about the Ankarsrum is that it’s made to last. We’re not talking about five years…we’re talking generations. I know people who are using these mixers well over 30 years old! It’s why I believe it’s worth learning how to care for them properly and why I love working with them - this is totally meant as an “heirloom” item.
Honestly? There’s something kind of grounding about looking after the tools that feed your family. With that, I am off to bake cookies with Rudy. He asked me last night and I told him to remind me today and that boy has a very strong memory!