Ankarsrum vs Planetary Stand Mixers: Is the Ankarsrum Worth It?
The short answer: the Ankarsrum is worth it if you bake bread often or in large batches. Its motor sits in the base and turns the bowl, and the 7.4-quart bowl can knead up to about 11 lb (5 kg) of dough, according to the manufacturer. If you mostly whip cream, cream butter and make the occasional batch of cookies, a conventional planetary stand mixer will feel more familiar and may be all you need.
Ankarsrum vs planetary stand mixers at a glance
| Ankarsrum Original | Typical planetary mixer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it mixes | Motor in the base turns the bowl; roller, hook or whisks work the dough | Bowl stays still; beater spins and orbits overhead |
| Bowl | 7.4-qt stainless steel, open top | Fixed bowl under the mixer head or bowl-lift arm |
| Dough capacity | Up to about 5 kg (11 lb) | Varies by model |
| Adding ingredients | Easy: the top of the bowl is open | Around the beater head |
| Controls | Speed dial and 12-minute timer | Speed lever |
| Learning curve | A few bakes to learn the roller and arm | Familiar to most cooks |
| Made in | Sweden | Varies |
Ankarsrum figures are for the Original AKM6230 as published by the manufacturer. US models use a 600-watt motor.
How does the Ankarsrum work?
Instead of a beater orbiting a fixed bowl, the Ankarsrum's motor lives in its heavy base and spins the bowl. An arm holds a grooved roller that presses the dough against the side of the bowl while a dough knife folds it back in, a motion that resembles kneading by hand. For very wet doughs such as sourdough, or rich doughs like brioche, you swap in the dough hook. For cream, egg whites and cake batter, a separate plastic beater bowl with double whisks takes over.
Because the bowl is open at the top, you can add flour, liquid or butter while the machine runs and see the dough the whole time. The bowl speed adjusts from about 45 to 130 RPM, and a 12-minute timer lets you set a knead and walk away.
Is the Ankarsrum worth it?
It is worth it if you:
- Bake bread every week, or several loaves at once.
- Make stiff or heavy doughs, such as bagels, whole grain bread or pizza dough for a crowd.
- Want one machine that can also grind meat, slice vegetables, roll pasta, mill grain and churn ice cream with attachments.
- Value a machine built to last: the Ankarsrum is made in Sweden, the company has made kitchen machines since 1940, and the AKM6230 has a 7-year warranty on the motor base.
A planetary mixer may suit you better if you mainly make cakes, frosting and cookies in small batches and prefer a machine you can use without any learning curve.
What comes with the Ankarsrum Original?
The Ankarsrum Original Essential package includes the 7.4-quart stainless steel bowl, dough hook, dough roller, dough knife, proving lid, spatula and a removable power cord. Add the beater bowl and whisks for cream and batters, and choose from the attachments as your cooking grows.
Tips for your first bakes
- Add liquid to the bowl first, then flour gradually, letting the roller pull it in.
- Let the roller arm move freely at first, then adjust its position as the dough comes together, following the manual for your dough.
- Use the dough hook for very wet doughs and enriched doughs.
- Set the timer and let the machine work; the 12-minute timer means you can step away while it kneads.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Ankarsrum different from other stand mixers?
Most stand mixers are planetary: the bowl stays still while a beater or hook spins and orbits above it. On the Ankarsrum, the motor sits in the base and turns the bowl, while a roller, dough hook or whisk works the ingredients. The roller and dough knife knead in a way that resembles kneading by hand.
How much dough can an Ankarsrum mix?
The Ankarsrum Original's 7.4-quart stainless steel bowl can knead up to about 5 kg (11 lb) of dough, according to the manufacturer, which makes it popular with bakers who make several loaves at once.
Is the Ankarsrum good for bread?
Yes. Bread is what the Ankarsrum is best known for. The roller and scraper suit most bread doughs, and the dough hook is recommended for very wet doughs such as sourdough and for enriched doughs like brioche.
Where is the Ankarsrum made and what is the warranty?
The Ankarsrum Original is made in Sweden, where the company has made kitchen machines since 1940. The AKM6230 comes with a 7-year warranty on the motor base.
Can an Ankarsrum whip cream and egg whites?
Yes. Swap the stainless bowl for the separate beater bowl with the double whisks, which is designed for cream, meringue, cake batters and other light mixtures.
What attachments are available for the Ankarsrum?
Optional attachments include a meat mincer, vegetable cutter, slicing and shredding drums, blender, pasta roller and cutters, grain mill, flake mill and ice cream maker, so the Ankarsrum can replace several separate appliances.
See the full range of Ankarsrum mixers and accessories or compare stand mixers and attachments in our curated catalog. Questions? Email customerhelp@kitchen-universe.com.