KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S Bowl-Lift 7-Quart Stand Mixer

Key Specs at a Glance

• Motor Power: 1.3 horsepower (equivalent to 975 watts)
• Speed Settings: 11 speed settings, from a slow stir to a fast whip
• Bowl Capacity: 7-quart stainless steel bowl, ideal for larger batches
• Body Material: Metal construction for durability and stability
• Attachments: Includes flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip
• Weight and Dimensions: Weighs around 28 pounds, with dimensions of 14.5 x 11.3 x 16.5 inches
• Warranty: 1-year limited warranty for defects in material or workmanship

KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S Build Quality

The KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S features a heavy-duty metal build, giving it a solid and premium feel. This stand mixer is designed for durability, and its 7-quart stainless steel bowl enhances its reliability, capable of handling large batches. The bowl lift mechanism (instead of a tilting head) provides extra sturdiness, especially when working with dense mixtures or large quantities.

The bowl-lift mechanism operates with precision engineering, making ingredient addition effortless. The three-point locking system ensures the massive 7-quart bowl stays perfectly positioned, even when loaded with dense doughs. However, some users note that the bowl could benefit from two handles—when filled to capacity with heavy ingredients, the single handle can make maneuvering challenging for some bakers.

Although its solid build offers durability, it’s important to note that this mixer is relatively heavy, weighing approximately 28 pounds. While this weight can make it somewhat difficult to move when storing after each use, it also enhances its stability, preventing it from “walking” across the counter during heavy mixing tasks. Despite its substantial capacity, the mixer surprisingly still fits in the same counter space as smaller models—a testament to thoughtful design that maximizes bowl volume without unnecessarily expanding the footprint.

Regarding color options, KitchenAid offers the Artisan KSM70S in a variety of stylish shades, from Cast Iron Black, White, Contour Silver, Mineral Water Blue, and classic Candy Apple Red. The premium 2-coat paint finish is both gorgeous and durable.

The KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S comes backed by KitchenAid’s two-year hassle-free replacement warranty, demonstrating the company’s confidence in the build quality and reflecting the professional-grade construction.

Power and Mixing Ability

At the heart of the KitchenAid KSM70S bowl-lift stand mixer lies a high-efficiency motor that delivers 2x the power in the bowl compared to KitchenAid’s tilt-head mixers. The 1.3-horsepower motor (975 watts) is designed to run longer with less heat buildup, making it ideal for extended mixing, kneading, and whipping tasks. It’s capable of handling a wide range of tasks, from delicate meringues to heavy bread dough.

The mixer features 11 distinct speeds, including the ingenious 1/2 speed designed specifically for folding delicate ingredients like blueberries and egg whites into recipes without overbeating. The soft-start function helps avoid ingredient splash and flour puff by starting at a lower speed—a feature that proves invaluable when working with fine powders or light ingredients.

The 7-quart bowl is large enough to handle substantial quantities of ingredients, making this mixer an excellent choice for baking in bulk. We tested the KSM70S with bread dough, and it handled it like a champ. The dough hook attachment efficiently kneaded the dough without straining the motor, producing a smooth, elastic dough in just minutes. It can easily handle thick, heavy doughs, such as pizza or focaccia, making it ideal for serious bakers.

While excelling with large batches, the mixer handles smaller quantities admirably well. Unlike some large-capacity mixers that struggle with minimal amounts, the KitchenAid KSM70S beater design reaches effectively throughout the bowl. The flat beater does an exceptional job reaching every corner—many users report being surprised to find thoroughly mixed ingredients with no dry spots in the bottom or sides during their routine scraping checks.

Here’s how the KSM70S performs in real-world baking tasks:

• Beating Cookies: The flat beater attachment did an excellent job of mixing chocolate chip cookie dough, incorporating all the ingredients evenly without over-mixing.
• Whipping Cream: The wire whip attachment produced light, fluffy whipped cream in no time. It works well with egg whites and other delicate ingredients too.
• Kneading Bread Dough: As mentioned earlier, the dough hook attachment was fantastic for kneading bread dough. It moved the dough efficiently without putting strain on the motor, making it easy to achieve a smooth consistency.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is where the KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S really shines. The control layout maintains KitchenAid’s signature simplicity—a single lever controlling speed from “stir” through “11” with intuitive increments. New users typically master the basics within their first use; however, those upgrading from tilt-head models require a brief adjustment period to become comfortable with the bowl-lift mechanism. The initial bowl attachment may require a few tries to master the technique, but once it becomes second nature, it becomes effortless.

The bowl lift mechanism offers stability, especially when mixing dense dough or large quantities. Lift the bowl into place, and you’re ready to start mixing. This mechanism can feel more intuitive than the tilt-head design, particularly when working with a heavy mixture that could cause the head to lift during use.

One slight downside is the noise level. It’s not overwhelmingly loud, but it does produce a noticeable hum, especially at higher speeds. This is common with mixers that have powerful motors, so it’s not a deal-breaker, but worth noting if you’re sensitive to noise in the kitchen.

Cleaning & Maintenance

KitchenAid KSM70S Cleanup

The KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S is designed with ease of cleaning in mind. The 7-quart stainless steel bowl and attachments (flat beater, dough hook, wire whip) are all dishwasher-safe, making cleanup quick and hassle-free. After each use, remove the bowl and attachments, toss them in the dishwasher, and wipe down the mixer’s body with a damp cloth. The coated beaters and dough hook require gentle hand washing to preserve their protective coating, but the process is straightforward given their generous size.

The mixer’s smooth surfaces make base cleanup effortless—flour and batter don’t cling to the metal housing. The pouring shield can be removed easily for thorough cleaning, and its improved design makes it more practical than previous generations.

The bowl lift mechanism doesn’t require much attention, but it’s a good idea to wipe it down periodically to ensure smooth operation. Overall, this mixer is low-maintenance in terms of cleaning.

Maintenance Tips

To extend the life of your KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S, here are a few maintenance tips:

• Wipe down the mixer after every use to prevent food buildup.
• Regularly lubricate the bowl lift mechanism to keep it working smoothly.
• If you use it for heavy-duty tasks, check the attachments for any signs of wear.
• Store attachments properly to avoid any damage when they’re not in use.
• Make sure the motor is not overloaded with heavy dough, as consistent strain can shorten its lifespan.

Long-term maintenance remains minimal with proper use. The high-efficiency motor design enables it to run cooler and last longer, reducing wear. As with all KitchenAid mixers, regular use keeps internal components properly lubricated—these machines are designed to work, and periodic inactivity can actually be more problematic than heavy use.

Pros & Cons

Who It’s Best For

The KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S Bowl Lift Stand Mixer is best for:

• Serious home bakers who bake in large quantities or regularly make bread, pizza, or other heavy doughs.
• Small business owners like bakers or catering services that need a reliable, powerful mixer for daily tasks.
• Bakers who value durability and need a long-lasting, professional-grade mixer in their kitchen.

It may not be the best option for:

• Casual bakers who rarely bake in large quantities or don’t need the power or capacity this mixer provides.
• Kitchens with limited storage or counter space, due to its weight and size.

Comparison With Other Mixers

Compared to the KitchenAid Artisan KSM150 stand mixer, the KSM70S offers more power (1.3 horsepower vs. 0.75 horsepower) and a larger 7-quart bowl, making it better for heavy-duty tasks and larger batches. However, the KSM150 is a bit more compact and affordable, making it a good option for those who don’t need the extra power or capacity.

The Cuisinart SM-70 offers similar features with a 7-quart bowl and comparable motor power, but it doesn’t have the same durability or the extensive range of KitchenAid attachments, making the KSM70S a better long-term investment for serious bakers.

Final Verdict

The KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S Bowl Lift Stand Mixer is a powerhouse built for serious bakers. With its strong motor, large capacity, and durability, it can handle everything from light batters to heavy bread dough with ease. Though it’s a bit on the heavier side and may be overkill for casual bakers, it’s an excellent investment for those who need a reliable, long-lasting mixer that can handle larger quantities and tougher tasks.

Check out our Ultimate Stand Mixer Buyer’s Guide to discover key features that enhance your baking results.

Video Review

Credit – KitchenAid

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