4 popular KitchenAid stand mixer attachments – which one should you choose?

A KitchenAid stand mixer can do much more than whisk, mix and knead dough. Attachments fitted to the front accessory hub let you grind meat, make sausages, slice or shred vegetables and prepare fresh pasta.

Here are four of the most popular attachments among Kitchen.eu customers, with practical advice on who each one suits best. All four connect to the front accessory hub and are compatible with KitchenAid stand mixers of different sizes and series.

A quick comparison of popular KitchenAid mixer attachments

Metal food grinder – when you want control over your mince

The KitchenAid metal food grinder 5KSMMGA is a good choice if you want to decide exactly which meat goes into your mince and control its fat content. It can be used to prepare burgers, meatballs, patties and sausages, as well as to grind hard cheese, dry bread and other suitable foods.

The set includes:

• fine, medium and coarse grinding plates;
• two sausage-stuffer tubes;
• a large removable food tray;
• a cleaning brush;
• a storage case for smaller parts.

The three grinding plates let you select a texture that suits the recipe. The fine plate is useful for smoother fillings, while the coarse plate works well for burgers and dishes where you want the texture of the meat to remain more noticeable.

Who is the metal food grinder for?

It is a good choice for someone who:

• regularly prepares dishes with minced meat;
• wants to choose the meat and control the composition of the mince;
• makes sausages at home;
• prefers a durable attachment with a metal body;
• wants to use their stand mixer for more than baking.

The food grinder connects to the mixer’s universal front accessory hub and is compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers.

The main parts must not be washed in a dishwasher. The body, grinding worm, collar and food tray should be washed by hand and dried thoroughly after cleaning.

Food processor – the most versatile option for preparing vegetables

The KitchenAid food processor attachment 5KSM2FPA is particularly useful if you spend a lot of time slicing and shredding vegetables. It can produce even slices, julienne strips, shredded vegetables and 8 mm cubes.

The set includes:

• an externally adjustable slicing disc;
• a reversible shredding disc;
• a julienne disc;
• an 8 mm dicing kit;
• a two-in-one feed tube;
• a storage case for the accessories.

The externally adjustable slicing disc lets you change the thickness without dismantling the attachment. This is convenient when preparing potatoes, cucumbers, courgettes and other vegetables. The dicing function is particularly practical for soups, salads and preserves.

Who is the food processor attachment for?

It is the most versatile of the four choices for someone who:

• prepares plenty of salads, soups or preserves;
• processes larger quantities of vegetables at once;
• wants evenly sized slices, strips or cubes;
• wants to reduce the time spent cutting and grating by hand;
• does not want to buy a separate motorised food processor.

The attachment connects to the front accessory hub and is compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers. The cutting discs are dishwasher-safe, making everyday care easier.

3-in-1 pasta attachment – fresh pasta with one accessory

The KitchenAid 3-in-1 metal pasta attachment 5KSM3MPA combines a dough roller and pasta cutters in one body. You therefore do not need to swap attachments between the different stages of pasta preparation.

The pasta attachment lets you:

• roll sheets of dough up to 12.7 cm wide;
• choose from eight thickness settings;
• prepare sheets for lasagne, ravioli and tortellini;
• cut spaghetti, fettuccine and fine linguine;
• roll dough for dumplings, tortillas, pizza or sugar paste.

The stainless-steel roller and cutters are designed for accurate, long-term use. The removable top cover makes it easier to remove dried flour and pasta crumbs after use.

Who is the 3-in-1 pasta attachment for?

It is a good choice for someone who:

• makes fresh pasta regularly;
• wants rolling and cutting functions in one attachment;
• wants to select the thickness and shape of their pasta;
• also uses a roller for dumplings or other thin doughs;
• values durable metal construction.

The pasta attachment must not be rinsed with water or washed in a dishwasher. Allow any dough residue to dry after use, then remove it with the cleaning brush supplied.

Slicer/shredder – a compact tool for everyday food preparation

The KitchenAid Fresh Prep slicer/shredder 5KSMVSA is a simpler and more compact alternative to the food processor attachment. It is designed for quickly slicing or shredding vegetables and cheese without using a hand grater or separate food processor.

The set contains three interchangeable drums:

• a 4 mm medium shredding drum for Parmesan, hard cheese and firmer vegetables;
• a 6 mm coarse shredding drum for softer vegetables and a coarser result;
• a 3 mm slicing drum for evenly sliced vegetables.

It is useful for everyday preparation of foods such as carrots, courgettes, cabbage, potatoes and cheese. Ingredients are sliced or shredded directly into your chosen bowl, so the attachment does not require a separate collection container.

Who is the slicer/shredder for?

It is a good choice for someone who:

• frequently shreds cheese or vegetables;
• wants a simple, compact attachment;
• does not need dicing or julienne functions;
• wants to avoid grating by hand;
• wants to process ingredients directly into a bowl.

The drums are dishwasher-safe, while the attachment body should be washed by hand. Additional drums can also be purchased separately.

The slicer/shredder connects to the universal front accessory hub and is compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers.

Food processor or slicer/shredder – which should you choose?

These two attachments have some overlapping functions, but they suit different users.

The 5KSMVSA slicer/shredder is the better option if you mainly want to slice vegetables and shred vegetables or cheese. It is simpler, more compact and likely to be used more frequently.

The 5KSM2FPA food processor is more suitable if you also need julienne strips, adjustable slice thickness and 8 mm cubes. It is also better suited to larger quantities and more varied preparation tasks.

If you only need straightforward everyday slicing and shredding, the larger food processor attachment may not be necessary. If you prepare plenty of preserves, salads or soups and use several cutting styles, the food processor offers more possibilities.

Which KitchenAid mixer attachment should you choose?

The best attachment is not necessarily the one with the most functions. The best value comes from an attachment that replaces a frequent manual task or a separate appliance in your kitchen.

• Choose the metal food grinder if you regularly make minced-meat dishes, burgers or homemade sausages.
• Choose the food processor if you need several cutting options, including cubes and julienne strips.
• Choose the 3-in-1 pasta attachment if you regularly make fresh pasta or roll thin sheets of dough.
• Choose the slicer/shredder if you want a compact tool for everyday preparation of vegetables and cheese.

Before buying, also consider how often you will use the attachment, how much storage space it requires and how easy it is to clean.

Many other practical attachments are available

These four products represent only a small part of the KitchenAid mixer attachment range. Some attachments add a completely new function to the mixer, while others solve a specific everyday problem.

For example, the Mixermate™ non-slip silicone mat for bowl-lift mixers helps reduce movement and vibration when kneading heavy bread, yeast or sourdough dough.

With a KitchenAid bread bowl, you can mix, proof and bake the dough in the same bowl. The heat-resistant ceramic bowl can be transferred directly to the oven with the shaped dough inside, while its lid is used to create a baking dome.

Other available accessories include:

• ice cream maker bowls;
• spiralizers;
• grain mills;
• juicers;
• sifter and scale attachments;
• pasta presses;
• additional mixing bowls;
• whisks, beaters and dough hooks.

When browsing all KitchenAid mixer attachments, check whether an accessory connects to the universal front hub or is designed for a specific mixer and bowl model.

Frequently asked questions

Do KitchenAid mixer attachments fit every model?

Attachments that connect to the universal front accessory hub, including the food grinder, food processor, pasta attachment and slicer/shredder, fit KitchenAid stand mixers regardless of bowl size.

Bowls, whisks, beaters, dough hooks and accessories shaped to fit the mixer base are model-specific. Always check the exact mixer model number before purchasing these products.

Will a new attachment fit an older KitchenAid mixer?

The design of the KitchenAid front accessory hub has remained consistent for a long time. Attachments fitted to this hub are therefore compatible with many older KitchenAid stand mixers. For a particularly old or unusual model, it is still advisable to confirm compatibility before purchasing.

Which attachment is the most versatile?

Of the four products compared here, the food processor offers the widest range of cutting options. If you mainly need simple slicing and shredding, the more compact slicer/shredder may be more practical for everyday use.

Can a KitchenAid mixer replace a food processor?

With the appropriate attachment, a mixer can perform many food-processor tasks, including slicing, shredding and dicing vegetables. However, it does not replace every function of a standalone food processor, such as chopping with a multipurpose blade or puréeing food in a work bowl.

Can the metal food grinder go in the dishwasher?

No. The grinder body, grinding worm, collar and food tray should be washed by hand and dried thoroughly after washing.

Can the pasta attachment be washed with water?

No. Allow the pasta attachment and any dough residue to dry after use, then remove the flour and dried dough with the cleaning brush. Do not rinse the attachment or wash it in a dishwasher.