Help me choose Grease for Kitchenaid Mixer Rebuilt

[Hamster]

As my luck have it I found a Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer (no bowl or accessories but otherwise complete) in a dumpster, and have managed to return it to working condition with a little work. I plan on using the mixer in the kitchen for food preparation.

http://www.kitchenaid.com/shop/countertop-appliances-1/countertop-appliances-2/stand-mixers-3/-[KSM150PSER]-400120/KSM150PSER/

I can hear the gears are running a bit rough so I might do a detail strip to check on the nylon worm gear, and since I have it open I might as well replace the grease if there are issues.

Here is a video I found of the strip down, you can see how the grease are packed. Accroding to Kitchenaid, unit is "lubricated for life":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeCiivPt7hk

I've done some research on the grease they use. Here are my findings:

OEM grease are available for about $16 here:
http://www.seneca-river-trading.com/4176597.html#.UuXjLXn0BO0

I read here that said OEM grease is Shell Darina #2 grease, about $6 for a cartridge:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t7798016-type_grease
http://www.pdblowers.com/pr93-shell-gadus-grease---tube.php

I am not a fanboi but AMSoil also have a H1 food grade grease, about $10:
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/grease/x-treme-synthetic-food-grade-grease/?page=%2fstorefront%2fgxc.aspx

Finally, I have several tubes of Synco Super-Lube Synthetic grease on-hand, H1 food grade, about $4 from Habour Freight:
http://www.super-lube.com/synthetic-multipurpose-grease-ezp-49.html

Ideally, I would like to use the Super-Lube grease I have on-hand, since I don't have to pay shipping. Do you think it is suitable for the application? Also should I just apply only a small amount or should I pack the whole gear assembly factory style as seen in the video?

The unit is well built and with correct maintenance I think can last a long time.

 

[rw19]

I would stick to a grease that is food safe.

 

[bigjl]

Always fancied a Kitchenaid as they seem very well built.

But the $350 is £440 over here which is taking the p##s just a little bit.

I could wear £300 or £350.

But £440 is more than $700 which is madness

Hopefully we will be able to afford a family holiday in the US this summer or next.

I think i may have one in my hand luggage. Happy to a bit of vat and import duty.

I think i can have an all in cost of around £280 instead of £440 with all duties paid.

There may or may not be some Amsoil oil in there also. Excessive cost is the main reason i haven't bought any in the UK.

 

[SOHCman]

Really, you are fine with either as long as it is a food grade #2. you will probably trash the gasket, but they are easy to find online.

When I recently repacked mine, I used CRC synthetic food grade grease, it had really good specs but was like $20. Worth it to me as the factory grease didnt hold up to my wifes abuse with the grinder attachment. hopefully I wont have to ever touch it again but it was fun to see how it worked inside.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Where would be the best place to get a replacement motor for mine? The ex got happy mixing bread dough on a super low speed and burned it up a few years ago. I need to put it back in service.

 

[Hamster]

Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
Where would be the best place to get a replacement motor for mine? The ex got happy mixing bread dough on a super low speed and burned it up a few years ago. I need to put it back in service.


Kitchenaid (whirlpool) sells them. Sears direct sells them too. And you can find them on ebay also.
But I would go would a supplier that can check the model number and correct fit for you. This company seems to be the cheapest that I can find with customer service. Haven't bought from them yet so not sure if good or not.
http://seneca-river-trading.com/kitchenaid-stand-mixer-repair-parts.html

 

[UncleS2]

For something like that I'd use a food-safe grease. If you have a tube of Super Lube around the house it'd probably work fine- might as well use it, should be good for at least a few years.
I still have Mom's nice old(1960s-70s?) Sunbeam Mixmaster, complete with large & small white glass mixing bowls. It's in nice shape, works, recently cleaned on the outside & ready to use(though an internal check & lube would probably be a good idea- I doubt it's been used in 20 yrs). It's almost certainly built much better than the current dedicated stand mixers made now. If you'll come to NE Texas I'll sell it to you *cheap*.