When tested with an XRF instrument almost all of the KitchenAid brand mixer attachments (of the many that I have tested to date) have been positive for Lead*.
This is true of the ones with the white coating and of the ones with the shiny or dull gray finish. This also includes the top-knobs on the whisk attachment [particularly odd – considering the main body of said whisk is made of intrinsically Lead-free stainless steel!).
In general, over the years since I originally posted this information, KitchenAid has been completely dismissive of this concern in their communications with my readers (who often contact them after reading the posts I have written on this subject.)
While I am not as concerned about the white enameled paddles and blades (if used occasionally), I am DEFINITELY concerned about the shiny or dull gray “Burnished” bare metal paddles and blades — as I have heard from countless readers that (after even one use) those paddles tend to leave gray streaks in the food as it is mixed. [Note: when these “Burnished” attachments are purchased new, they have a shiny finish, but after use they start turning a dull gray.]
December 2018 Update: Good News — just recently [in 2018], I learned that KitchenAid has FINALLY come out with a version of their blades and paddles in full stainless steel construction!!! I have not yet tested these (and would like to do so – to confirm that the top knob is not still made from grey, leaded “pot metal“), but I am excited to get my hands on these new products and test them! [And I can’t help but think that it has been the influence of you, my readers that put consumer demand on KitchenAid to make these Lead-free versions of their paddles and mixing attachments.]
From the William Sonoma website:
From the Williams Sonoma website (click image to link through.)
Note (perhaps of interest): By selling the stainless set as an intentional “upgrade” it has to make you wonder what their official stance is on the non-upgraded original attachments!
To see more KitchenAid attachments and other KitchenAid branded products I have tested (many of which test positive for Lead when tested with an XRF instrument), Click HERE.
Related: #AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead?
For the image above:
KitchenAid Attachments, c. 2014: As high as 2,434 ppm Lead
Left to right (in the image above and below):
1) KitchenAid: 1,655 ppm LEAD on white,
2) KitchenAid: 110 ppm LEAD in top knob,
3) KitchenAid: 2,434 ppm LEAD,
4) KitchenAid: 333 ppm LEAD,
&
5) last one, NOT KitchenAid Brand, and… NO Lead! [Amazon link here to this product*].
The 4th one from the left (I was told) is newish purchased [c. 2014]. I don’t know the exact ages of the other ones.
For Lead-free options click this link!
For all of my Lead-free home #SaferChoices, click here!
The readings are XRF readings done by me [and yes, I am trained and certified in using an XRF] and they are generally considered “surface” readings. It is hard to know how deep/thick the item’s surface coating is — and that would inform us as to whether the Lead-reading is all in the coating or if it is reading through the coating to a higher Lead level in the substrate (metal base) underneath. The three white items are all [some kind of] enamel-coated metal.
As you can (and many manufacturers do) make kitchen items and cookware with no Lead – we (as consumers) should expect high standards from a name like KitchenAid, so I personally am disappointed to find any Lead in these products — regardless of whether or not it is leaching.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts (your sharing of my posts helps me to generate advertising income that helps to pay for the independent consumer goods testing work I do!)
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work in this way.
So the lead is only in the top part of the whisk, not in the part that has contact with food? Have you found any lead free whisk attachments?
Thank you for your work!
How is that even LEGAL?! These are food-contact items?! AAARRRGGHHH!!!!
Wow! Thanks for your research and post. I don’t have a KitchenAid. Have you tested a Bosch mixer?
The gray film on bare aluminum parts is aluminum oxide (nontoxic). Kitchen aid warns of this and gives instruction on preventing it! Lead in stainless would be an added expense with no benefits. It would cost more for an inferior product.
The thing is they are not just aluminum. I would classify them as pot-metal since they are testing positive for Lead with XRF technology.
Hi Tamara, Thank you so much for informing us about this. I’m afraid to use my kitchenaid mixer now but I’m hoping your answer to the following question will alleviate my worries. When your XRF technology detects lead in the white coated beater, is it definitely detecting the lead in that white surface coating or is it possible it’s detecting the lead that is in the metal, underneath the white coating? If it’s the latter then maybe the white coating protects our food from the lead in the metal underneath? I’m really hoping you can answer this question. I looked up the stainless steel beaters that you mentioned are now available but the description says they’re for 4.5 and 5 qrt. bowls and someone who tried them said they were way too small to use in the 5 qrt bowls to work properly. Thanks again for all the work you do for us.
Hi T!
I really can’t say (based on the type of testing that I do) whether or not the white attachments are likely to be leaching / if the Lead is in the surface coating or just the substrate underneath. I just know that I have found Lead in both types of attachments.
To find out if there is lead in the white coating (and to confirm it is not just detecting the lead in the metal underneath the white coating) the white coating would have to be scraped off and tested separately. This is called destructive testing and I don’t do destructive testing with the work I do.
Sorry to not have a better answer for you. If you subscribe to my blog here you will get updates with new posts and if I ever post an answer to this question you will be among the first to know! 🙂
Tamara