Ankarsrum Assistent review: brilliant! I’ve had this wonderful machine for months now and am elated with its capability and ease of use!
Have you ever heard of the Ankarsrum Assistent Original Mixer? Neither had I until earlier this year.
Disclosure: I was given an Ankarsrum Assistent to review, and compensated for the development of a recipe. All views and opinions are my own.
You may remember that I hosted a Komo Mill giveaway with Pleasant Hill Grain a few years ago when I featured this falafel recipe. So I teamed up with PHG again to tell you all about the Ankarsrum Assistent this time.
Pleasant Hill Grain
First of all, you should know that Pleasant Hill Grain doesn’t just sell grains, but everything to do with grains, and baking and cooking. They sell a myriad of appliances, fruit presses, meat processing equipment, cookware, bakeware, kitchen tools, and even items for the dining room!
Pleasant Hill Grain is based in Nebraska and is a wonderful, people-centered company with the most excellent customer service! Now let me tell you about how I easily mixed a double batch of these doughnuts and so much more!
Ankarsrum Assistent Review
It’s hard to know where to start, but I’m going to give a completely personal review versus giving you the specs and telling you about the accessories. You can find that easily (although the basics are in the box below so you have some knowledge of the Ankarsum Assistent’s features). I also want you to know that I’ve only used KitchenAid mixers until this point, so it’s important to note that my baking experience and history is with KitchenAid.
First impression
I don’t recall having any expectations, to be honest. When I had first seen the mixer on Pleasant Hill Grain’s website, it practically jumped out at me. It was so unique, and then I saw it was made in Sweden, which to me, means quality.
I wondered what the difference would be in using this Swedish made gem of a mixer for which I’d seen so many glowing reviews. I made bread dough as my initial test. My first reaction was, “Wow!” because it mixed and kneaded the dough like it was nothing! As I said before, the only thing I have to compare bread making with in a mixer is with my KitchenAid, and the difference is phenomenal and almost unfair. It’s like a Mini Cooper going up against a tank!
To be completely fair in my Ankarsrum Assistent review, I will say that AA is approximately twice the price of my Artisan KitchenAid. However, I have also used the more expensive professional KitchenAid, and actually returned it. It was almost the same price, but still had nothing like the quality I’ve discovered in this Swedish made appliance. It also didn’t fit on my countertop as it was too tall. The Ankarsrum fits nicely.
At this point, I will say that this is truly a kitchen appliance for a serious baker or bread maker. If you bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies once every few months, and that’s the extent of your baking, you probably aren’t going to want to invest in an Ankarsum Assistent. However, for someone like me who is constantly baking, this machine is almost like a human assistant!
Use it to make anything you like, even just cookies.
Initially I thought it was going to be complicated to figure out how to put the kneading hook and scraper into the stainless steel bowl, but it couldn’t have been easier. It just looked like a lot of strange contraptions and parts, but like anything else, a little knowledge goes a long way. By the way, I love how the big bowl is easy to access when pouring in ingredients!
The ease of use goes for the clear bowl and mixing beaters, too. Although there are not many instructions in the manual, the illustrations are very easy to understand. Ankarsrum also has videos on YouTube which are very helpful.
Using my Ankarsrum Mixer
If you follow me on Instagram you’ll know that I often bake for my local firemen, just to say, “thank you.” Once I had to use my bread machine and my KitchenAid mixer because it was such a large batch of doughnuts. Well, to add to my Ankarsrum Assistent review, I made a double batch of doughnuts and it was a breeze!
As you can see, I could easily have made a quadruple batch! (Incidentally, you can make 11 lbs of dough in this baby! Is that incredible?) I just love how I don’t have to “babysit” while the dough is mixing as I’ve always had to do with my previous mixer.
There’s a ciabatta recipe which requires 18 minutes of mixing the dough. My KitchenAid would not only “walk” across the counter if I didn’t physically hold it, but the engine would get so hot, that I eventually stopped making the recipe. 😢 I’m elated that I can now make it again with my Ankarsrum Assistent, and especially because I can set the timer and leave it alone!
I’ve found myself using the Assistent for everything from the ciabatta roll recipe to cakes, to pasta dough, to chocolate chip cookies! I’ve used it for many recipes so I feel qualified to write this Ankarsrum Assistent review.
It’s so easy to clean once I’ve finished baking.
So much more…
I will also mention that although I don’t have any of the other attachments, the Ankarsrum Assistent can turn on its side and with the appropriate accessories, it becomes a pasta maker, blender, citrus juicer, meat grinder, food processor and more.
I hope you’ve learned what you wanted to know on my Ankarsrum Assistent review! Please ask me any questions in the comment section below.
I’m sure you’ll be seeing much more of this red beauty on my site and on my Instagram stories in future, especially since baking weather is almost here! We’re a bit delayed in Los Angeles, unfortunately.
And speaking of Instagram, head over to my account where you can win a $50 gift card to Pleasant Hill Grain! CONTEST IS OVER.
Head over to Pleasant Hill Grain
for more information on this beauty!
Ankarsrum Assistent review
This is the best in business. You can’t ask better than that. You can cook a large batch of cookies or dough for your pastries. The mixing is undoubtedly better than any other stand mixers. Also, I found it pretty fast in action and no real hassle in cleaning.
Thank you for this post. My 7 qt KA just cracked after 6 years of very heavy use and I am starting to obsess about the Anka. I think I have read everything out there and all seems positive except for people that aren’t keen on learning how to use a new product.
One question that I have is, what has been your experience with the plastic bowl and making an Italian meringue? Hot sugar and plastic aren’t always the best of friends, so would l0ve your thoughts.
Hi Kathleen, to be honest, I’ve never made Italian meringue or anything with a hot sugar syrup in the plastic bowl, so unfortunately, I can’t answer. I would call or write to Ankarsrum directly to ask. Good luck! CC
Hello, Christina: I’ve just found your site after searching for “Ankarsrum review”. Thank you for so much helpful information about this mixer (and thanks to everybody else who provided useful comments.) I have a KA from 1989, which I love. It was built with the same specs that Hobart used when it had the company. Sadly, I am now starting to get some clicking noise, so I may have to replace it. I’ve been considering either the Kenwood Titanium or the Ankasrum. I don’t do enough bread-making to justify the big Ankarsrum, and the Kenwood seems like it would be a better choice for things like Italian meringue (hot syrups), etc. And, I’m concerned about the plastic housing on the Ankarsrum whips (and plastic bowl). But the Ankarsrum seems so solidly built, and I’ve read it can be hard to get Kenwoods serviced in North America. Have you ever had any trouble with theAnkarsrum plastic gears breaking up, as I’ve heard that can happen, even if the butter is at room temp? I’ve subscribed to your site and look forward to reading more. BTW, I have a dear friend from Dunfermline, so happy to read of your life there, too. Thanks so much!
Hi Brian, happy to help! I haven’t had any issues with the plastic parts of the Ankarsrum (gears or bowl, etc.) I actually only judged a pie competition in Dunfermline; I grew up closer to Glasgow. :) You should try some of my Scottish recipes! Good luck on your decision. CC
I had one of the Kitchen Aides made in the 70s. Don’t get rid of it. These babies can be repaired and are well worth it. I love my Ank but someone else can love your Kitchen Aide tank.
Hi Christina, I posted a comment here last year asking your feedback on the AA’s performance in mixing cake batter and cookie dough. Now I’d like your opinion on the plastic bowl used with the whisk attachment. I read a review on Amazon saying that the plastic bowl retains a greasy residue after washing, which prevents egg whites from whipping properly. What is your experience on this? This is a concern for me as I often make recipes which require both whipped egg whites and whipped cream, and with the AA I have to use the same bowl for both purposes.
Hi Carolyn, I’m honestly quite surprised that anyone would post that comment publicly. The only way the plastic bowl retains a greasy residue is if it’s not washed properly. Hot water and a good dish soap is all you need. It’s not some special plastic that retains greasiness, so no, I wouldn’t be concerned at all. Honestly, I think there are so many trolls out there with nothing better to do that mess people around :( I get them commenting on my recipes, too and it’s mind-boggling. Hope this helps! CC
Hi Christina, thanks for your review! I found it a couple of weeks after bringing my orange Ank home, and I love it too. In your review you mention ciabatta, but I can’t find the recipe on your site … can you tell me where to find the recipe? Thanks so much!
Hi Anita, so glad you love the Ankarsrum! Re: the ciabatta rolls, it’s actually from The Kitchn! You can find it HERE.
Thanks so much!
Thank you! Do you use the hook or the roller when you make this?
Dough hook. :)
I’m trying to find out how noisy it is? We have an open plan downstairs and our kenwood is too noisy and trying to find something much quieter.
Many thanks
Look at the reviews below from Amazon. Quite a few mentions noise. One compares the AA with Kenwood when it comes to noise. AA wins it seems. I LOVE my AA. Good luck.
https://www.amazon.com/Ankarsrum-AKM-6220-Stand-Mixer/product-reviews/B00CA8YJ5M
I love this mechine so much wandering if i can be a distibutor or a dealer
Contact the Ankarsrum company, Ebi. Good luck!
Hi Christina
I am thinking of buying a ankarsrum machine but was wondering if you could kindly answer a few questions:
1) there are plenty of cake recipes that require you to cream butter and sugar together first. Can you do this in this machine and what bowl and attachments would you use?
2) can you make in this machine for example a fruit cake for example Christmas cake? If so what bowl and attachments would you use?
Hello Omar, sorry for the delay in responding, but I’ve been traveling for 3 weeks and just got back. To answer your questions:
1. YES! I use the clear bowl with the stainless steel attachments as long as the butter is room temperature.
2. I haven’t used the Ank for a fruit cake, so I cannot say exactly what would be best, but I am positive this machine is capable of making any sort of cake or bread. It’s a professional quality machine. I will let you know when I use it for a fruit cake. :) Hope this helps!