Introduction
Whether you’re a passionate home baker aiming for professional-quality results or a small business owner operating a bakery, there comes a point when your mixing needs surpass the capacity of a standard home stand mixer. For those who regularly handle heavy-duty tasks like kneading large batches of dough or mixing thick batters, the KitchenAid Commercial KSM8990 NSF Certified Stand Mixer is a strong contender. With its powerful motor, sturdy construction, and NSF certification, this mixer not only manages tough jobs but also meets the high standards of commercial kitchens. But is it worth the investment for home use? Let’s explore its features and performance.
Retails around $1100 – 1500 (varies by options and retailer)
Whipping
4.5/5
Kneading
5/5
Beating
4.5/5
Ease of usE
4.5/5
price/valUE
4/5
Key Specs at a Glance
- Motor Power: 1.3 horsepower (HP) motor, providing consistent power to handle heavy-duty mixing tasks.
- Speed Settings: 10-speed settings, allowing precise control.
- Bowl Capacity: 8-quart stainless steel bowl, ideal for large batches.
- Body Material: Made of durable metal with a commercial-grade build
- Safety: speed control protection
- Attachments Included: Includes a flat beater, dough hook, and wire whisk.
- Certification: NSF Certified for commercial food service
- Weight and Dimensions: Gross weight 31 pounds with a dimension of 17″ H × 12″ W × 16″ D
- Warranty: 2-year commercial warranty terms.
KitchenAid Commercial KSM8990 Build Quality
The KSM8990 stands out with its rugged, commercial-grade build. Made of top-quality metal, it conveys a sense of durability that promises long-lasting reliability. Unlike some plastic-bodied mixers, this model appears to be sturdy enough to withstand a few knocks in a busy kitchen. Its industrial design may be attractive if you’re running a small business or have a spacious kitchen, but it might feel overwhelming in a smaller space.
The KitchenAid KSM8990 distinguishes itself through several commercial-grade features that set it apart from even the most premium consumer mixers, delivering unmatched performance and reliability. The mixer has the prestigious NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) certification, indicating it meets strict standards for commercial food service operations. This certification confirms the mixer can handle the requirements of restaurants, bakeries, and other commercial kitchens while upholding food safety standards.
The sleek, classic look of KitchenAid’s mixers stays consistent with the KSM8990. Although KitchenAid offers limited color options for this model — Silver, Empire Red, and Onyx Black — it complements most kitchen styles beautifully. Regarding footprint, this is a large machine.
Power and Mixing Ability
High Efficiency DC Motor
The mixer features a 1.3-horsepower motor. This powerful motor delivers 0.44 HP to the bowl, allowing your mixer to provide steady power for heavy-duty tasks such as kneading thick bread dough, mixing large batches of cookie dough, or whipping significant amounts of cream or egg whites.
The high-efficiency DC motor is built to run for long periods, providing optimal torque with minimal heat, resulting in years of reliable mixing.
KitchenAid has equipped this model with a 10-speed dial, allowing precise control across all mixing tasks, from delicate folding to heavy-duty kneading. The slow start feature prevents ingredient splashing and extends motor life. Whether you need slow stirring or high-speed whipping, the KSM8990 gives you the flexibility to adjust the speed for optimal results.
The 8-quart brushed stainless steel bowl is designed to withstand heavy use and is ideal for mixing large quantities of dough (up to 8 pounds), making it perfect for large families, frequent bakers, or small businesses. It comes with a commercial “J” style handle for secure grip and easy transport.
The bowl-lift system ensures stable mixing by locking the bowl in place, and the lever smoothly lifts the bowl into position for effective beater-to-bowl contact, maintaining stability during the mixing of heavy ingredients or large batches. The planetary mixing action ensures that the attachments rotate around the bowl while also turning on their own axis, thereby ensuring thorough mixing.
The KSM8990 can easily handle everything from small batches of meringue to large amounts of pizza dough, making it an excellent choice for both home bakers and commercial kitchens that need consistent performance.
Premium Quality Attachments
In terms of versatility, the KitchenAid KSM8990 is excellent. It includes a standard set of attachments, such as a Flat beater (Stainless Steel), Dough hook (Stainless Steel), and Wire Whip (Stainless Steel). These attachments handle most of your basic mixing tasks.
You can also purchase additional accessories, such as a pasta maker, food grinder, or vegetable slicer, through the attachment hub, allowing you to do much more than just mixing.
The absence of a splash guard and cover, which could help reduce mess, especially when using high-speed settings, is a shortcoming. However, they can be purchased separately.
Ease of Use
The KitchenAid KSM8990 offers a user experience that combines commercial-grade performance with the intuitive operation associated with KitchenAid’s renowned design philosophy. The control layout is intuitive, with the on/off switch and the 10-speed control knob being easy to adjust, making it simple to start your baking or cooking tasks.
The mixer features a bowl-lift design, which means the bowl is raised or lowered to connect with the mixing attachments. This system is favored for heavy-duty mixers because it ensures the attachments can handle large, thick batches of dough or batter without shifting or wobbling. The bowl-lift mechanism offers a more secure fit for large quantities and is especially helpful when working with dense mixtures. However, it requires you to lift and lock the bowl manually, which may take some practice compared to the tilt-head design found on other KitchenAid models. Understanding the motor’s strength relative to different tasks does need some attention when mixing very dense doughs or heavy batters. The learning curve here is minimal.
Although the mixer is stable and sturdy, its weight of 31 pounds can make it less portable. The noise level is moderate; it can get somewhat loud at high speeds, but it’s not excessively disruptive.
Cleaning & Maintenance
KitchenAid Commercial KSM8990 Cleanup
Cleaning the KitchenAid KSM8990 is fairly straightforward. Follow the NSF guidelines for cleaning commercial food equipment. Its large size means the bowl and attachments are bigger than those of standard home mixers. The 8-quart stainless steel bowl is dishwasher-safe, and the included attachments (flat beater, dough hook, and wire whisk) can also be cleaned in the dishwasher. The bowl-lift design makes it simple to remove the bowl and attachments for cleaning.
Wipe down the mixer base with a damp cloth to prevent water damage to the motor. Although the mixer is designed for commercial use and handles frequent cleaning, the metal parts need regular wiping to keep their shine.
Maintenance Tips
To ensure the KitchenAid KSM8990 lasts for many years, routine maintenance is essential. After each use, immediately clean the bowl and attachments to prevent food residue from accumulating.
If you use the mixer for heavy doughs or thick batters, check the attachment gears for signs of wear and tear. KitchenAid mixers generally don’t need much lubrication, but you should inspect the internal parts occasionally, especially when used for very heavy-duty mixing. Keep the mixer in a dry area, away from heat sources or excess moisture, to extend its lifespan.
Recommended best practices:
- DC motor requires minimal maintenance but professional service when needed.
- Professional lubrication service at intervals for gearbox maintenance.
- Follow the NSF guidelines for cleaning commercial food equipment.
- Storage: Designed for permanent counter installation in commercial environments.
- Service Network: Access to KitchenAid’s commercial service technicians.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Exceptional 1.3 HP motor power handles the heaviest doughs and largest batches effortlessly.
Advanced DC motor technology runs cooler and longer than consumer motors.
Massive 8-quart capacity allows for large batch production and increased efficiency.
Superior bowl-lift stability eliminates wobbling even with heavy loads.
High-quality, durable construction for commercial-level use.
NSF Certified commercial-grade construction meets professional kitchen standards.
CONS
Substantial size and weight requires dedicated counter space and storage.
Is on the expensive side, which might be prohibitive for casual home bakers.
Who It’s Best For?
The KitchenAid Commercial KSM8990 NSF Certified Stand Mixer is ideal for serious home bakers seeking a commercial-grade machine for heavy-duty tasks, as well as for small business owners operating bakeries, cafes, or catering services. It is especially helpful for those who need a mixer capable of handling large batches, from bread dough to cake batters.
Who Should Avoid It:
- Casual home bakers who don’t need a commercial-grade mixer.
- Those with limited countertop space, as the mixer is large and heavy.
- People on a strict budget may find this mixer to be too expensive for their needs.
Comparison with Other Mixers
The KSM8990 differs from other KitchenAid models, such as the KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S. The KSM8990 has a larger bowl (8 quarts versus 7 quarts) and all-metal construction, making it better suited for heavy-duty tasks and larger batches. However, it is significantly heavier and more expensive than the KitchenAid Artisan KSM70S, which is more suitable for home bakers with moderate baking needs.
Compared to other mixers in the commercial category, like the Cuisinart SM-70 7-Quart Stand Mixer and Hamilton Beach 63220 Professional Stand Mixer, the KSM8990 stands out for its 1.3 HP motor and NSF certification. The Cuisinart model is more affordable but doesn’t offer the same power or build quality. The Hamilton Beach mixer is another good choice, but its 3.5-quart bowl and lower power make it less suitable for large, heavy-duty batches.
Final Verdict
The KitchenAid Commercial KSM8990 NSF-certified Stand Mixer is a powerful machine designed for handling heavy-duty tasks and large batches. It’s a great investment for serious home bakers or small business owners who need a dependable mixer for consistent results. Its NSF certification guarantees it meets commercial standards, and its 1.3 HP motor easily handles thick doughs, batters, and everything in between. However, the price, weight, and size might be too much for casual home bakers or those with limited kitchen space. Overall, if you need a mixer that can meet the demands of a busy kitchen, this model is worth considering.
Video Review
Credit – KitchenAid
FAQs
