KitchenAid brand stand mixer on counter with interchangeable ceramic mixer bowls

ARE KITCHENAID® MIXER BOWLS INTERCHANGEABLE?

KitchenAid brand offers a wide variety of bowl options with a range of colors, patterns and materials. But not all mixer bowls fit all stand mixer models. In general, bowls are designed to fit one of three basic types of stand mixers: bowl-lift, tilt-head or mini tilt-head. The bowls are not interchangeable between these types of stand mixers.

Within each stand mixer type, there are still many interchangeable bowl options to choose from that offer different capacities, materials like glass, stainless steel and ceramic, along with other features like handles and pour spouts. Full-sized tilt-head mixers offer the most KitchenAid® mixer bowls that are interchangeable.

Keep in mind that some bowls, such as the glass bowl included with certain bowl-lift stand mixers, come with special, non-standard beater accessories. If you swap out these bowls for standard stainless steel bowls, you’ll need to also purchase standard beater accessories to fit. Before buying a stand mixer bowl, check the product details to make sure it is compatible with your stand mixer model.

Stacked mixer bowls on a counter next to a bowl of fruit Stacked mixer bowls on a counter next to a bowl of fruit

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SIZES OF STAND MIXER BOWLS?

KitchenAid® stand mixer bowls come in sizes from 3 to 7 quarts for residential use. You can usually buy a smaller or larger bowl for your KitchenAid® mixer than the one that came with it to suit your recipe needs. The available sizes vary depending on the type of stand mixer. Here is a quick stand mixer bowl size comparison chart:

 

Included with purchase:

Purchased separately:

Materials available:

Bowl-Lift Included with purchase: 5-7 quarts Purchased separately: 3-7 quarts Materials available: Stainless, Glass
Tilt-Head Included with purchase: 3-5 quarts Purchased separately: 3-5 quarts Materials available: Stainless, Glass, Ceramic
Mini Tilt-Head Included with purchase: 3.5 quarts Purchased separately: N/A Materials available: Stainless, Glass

Side profile of dark blue bowl-lift stand mixer with stainless steel bowl Side profile of dark blue bowl-lift stand mixer with stainless steel bowl

BOWL-LIFT STAND MIXER BOWLS

Bowl-lift mixing bowls connect to sturdy arms at the base of the stand mixer and are lifted up into the mixing position by a lever. The 7 quart mixing bowl is the largest non-commercial mixing bowl size for KitchenAid® bowl-lift stand mixers. That’s big enough to make 14 dozen cookies at once, or several batches of nearly any recipe. The smallest bowl for this model is a 3 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl & Combi-Whip that is perfect for smaller quantities or tasks like whipping eggs for a batch of Mini Strawberry Pavlovas. In between, you’ll find 5 and 6 quart bowls. 

To get started, you can purchase a bowl-lift stand mixer that comes with bowls from 5–7 quarts. The 3 quart bowl can be purchased separately along with additional 5–7 quart bowls in both stainless steel and glass.  

Keep in mind that non-standard bowl sizes may not be compatible with the standard mixer accessories that come with the appliance. For example, the 3 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl & Combi-Whip is not compatible with other stand mixer bowls and accessories. Make sure you have or purchase accessories compatible with your bowl.


Side profile of aqua sky tilt-head stand mixer with stainless steel bowl Side profile of aqua sky tilt-head stand mixer with stainless steel bowl

TILT-HEAD STAND MIXER BOWLS

Tilt-head stand mixer bowls twist onto the base of the mixer and are not interchangeable with bowl-lift models. Full-sized tilt-head stand mixers have over 20 interchangeable bowls from 3–5 quarts. 5 quart bowls come in stainless steel, glass or a wide range of ceramic options. The smallest bowl is a 3 quart polished stainless bowl.

Lighter and smaller but packing the same power as the full-sized KitchenAid® tilt-head stand mixers, the Artisan® Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is ideal if you cook and bake in smaller quantities. Mini stand mixers come with 3.5 quart capacity bowls in brushed stainless or polished stainless with a handle. At this time, you cannot purchase separate bowls for the mini.


Three interchangeable stand mixer bowls in glass, quilted stainless steel and radiant copper Three interchangeable stand mixer bowls in glass, quilted stainless steel and radiant copper

DO I NEED MULTIPLE STAND MIXER BOWLS?

Mixer bowls in different sizes or materials can serve different purposes and help you multitask for masterpieces in the making. Keep a 3 quart stainless bowl in the freezer to top desserts with fresh whipped cream, while you use a 5 quart clear glass bowl to measure ingredients for the main course. Keep your creative flow going with multiple bowls so you don’t need to transfer ingredients or wash up in between steps. 

Last but definitely not least, you can personalize the look of your stand mixer, or update one that’s been in the family for years by choosing a mixer bowl in a color, pattern or finish that you love. Sometimes, form matters as much as function.


Pink stand mixer with white mermaid lace bowl and two more bowls stacked in the background Pink stand mixer with white mermaid lace bowl and two more bowls stacked in the background

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KITCHENAID® MIXER GLASS BOWLS VS. STAINLESS STEEL OR CERAMIC? 

There are a few differences between KitchenAid® glass, stainless steel and ceramic mixer bowls including appearance, function and care. For example, stainless steel is lightweight and great for chilling, glass can help you monitor your mix and ceramic is oven-safe up to 450℉. Read on to learn more about these stand mixer bowl options.

KitchenAid® stainless steel mixer bowl

KITCHENAID® STAINLESS STEEL MIXER BOWLS

KitchenAid® stainless steel mixer bowls range in size from 3–7 quarts and are available for both bowl-lift and tilt-head stand mixers. These lightweight bowls conduct heat and cold more efficiently than glass or ceramic. Choose a mixer bowl without handles to nest for easy storage. Or opt for a stainless steel mixer bowl with a handle to make transferring the bowl and its contents extra convenient. Tilt-head stainless steel bowls come in a variety of colors like radiant gold, radiant copper and even colorfast finishes like matte dried rose. The classic stainless color is available with finishes such as polished, hammered, quilted and brushed.

KitchenAid® glass mixer bowl

KITCHENAID® GLASS MIXER BOWLS

Glass stand mixer bowls are available for both bowl-lift and tilt-head stand mixer models and range in size from 3.5 quarts to 6 quarts. The clear material gives you great visibility to monitor your mixing progress and select models come with a lid so you can store creations right in the bowl, or let bread dough rise undisturbed. Select KitchenAid® glass bowls are convenient for measuring ingredients directly in the bowl. Tilt-head glass mixer bowls go from microwave to stand mixer so you won’t miss a beat while crafting something tasty. The glass material also adds a touch of sophistication to the look of your mixer.

KitchenAid® ceramic mixer bowl

KITCHENAID® CERAMIC MIXER BOWLS

Available only for full-sized tilt-head stand mixers, ceramic bowls come in a range of unique colors and design options including black shell and ink watercolor. The outer beauty of these bowls doesn’t put a damper on their utility; they are safe for use in the freezer, microwave or up to 450℉ in the oven. Their functional artistry makes them great for displaying along with your mixer on the countertop. You can personalize a mixer to express your style with multiple bowl options, or update the look of a mixer you’ve had for years.

SEE HOW GLASS MIXER BOWLS STAND UP TO CERAMIC AND STAINLESS STEEL

Not sure which stand mixer options to choose? Try the KitchenAid® stand mixer customization tool to design your perfect combination of color, bowl and attachments—plus a free engraving to make it truly yours.


Pistachio stand mixer with white mermaid lace bowl and quilted stainless steel bowl Pistachio stand mixer with white mermaid lace bowl and quilted stainless steel bowl

ARE ALL KITCHENAID® MIXING BOWLS DISHWASHER AND MICROWAVE SAFE?

All KitchenAid® stand mixer bowls are dishwasher safe. The tilt-head stand mixer glass and ceramic bowls are microwave safe, which helps with melting butter, softening chocolate and more. Ceramic mixer bowls can also go into a proving drawer or the oven (up to 450℉) for even more flexibility. The bowl-lift glass bowls feature a metal trim band and are not microwave safe. For chilling ingredients in the freezer before mixing, go with either a stainless steel or ceramic mixer bowl.

kitchenaid® stand mixer bowl material

safe for use in:

stainless

Glass

Ceramic

Dishwasher Stainless Glass Ceramic
Freezer Stainless Glass Ceramic
Microwave Stainless   Glass 1 Ceramic
Oven (up to 450°F) Stainless   Glass   Ceramic

1. Tilt-head only.


Three stainless steel bowls in black, radiant copper and radiant gold finishes Three stainless steel bowls in black, radiant copper and radiant gold finishes

WHAT TYPES OF MIXING BOWL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

KitchenAid® mixer bowls come with a variety of options that let you create the way you want and to help with every step along the way.

Some stand mixer bowl options include:

  • Spouts for accurate pouring

  • Handles for comfortable carrying and pouring

  • Measurement lines 

  • Lids for easy storage

  • Patterns and designs ranging from confetti sprinkles to tropical flowers


Note that not every option above is available for every KitchenAid® mixer bowl. Browse all KitchenAid® stand mixer bowls to find the right combination of features, size and style for you.

FIND THE PERFECT MIXING BOWLS FOR YOUR KITCHENAID® STAND MIXER

Find a mixing bowl in the pattern, material and size that best suits your evolving culinary style and kitchen’s aesthetic. Whether you’re looking for a specific color scheme or convenient features like measurement lines or pour spouts, KitchenAid® stand mixer bowls help make your most imaginative creations possible.

Woman with KitchenAid® Artisan® Series Stand Mixer and fresh vegetabes

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