KitchenAid Stand Mixer Attachment: KSMFGA Food Grinder Instruction Manual

Product Overview

The KitchenAid KSMFGA Food Grinder Attachment is designed to connect to the power hub of any KitchenAid Stand Mixer (sold separately), transforming it into a versatile food grinder. This attachment allows for the preparation of fresh ingredients, such as grinding meats for gourmet burgers and sausages, hard cheeses, or fresh bread crumbs. It offers fine and coarse grinding options to suit various culinary needs.

Image: KitchenAid Stand Mixer with the KSMFGA Food Grinder Attachment installed, showing ground meat in a bowl.

What's in the Box

The KSMFGA Food Grinder Attachment package includes the following components:

• Food Grinder Housing: The main body of the attachment that connects to the mixer's power hub.
• Fine Grinding Plate: For finely ground ingredients.
• Coarse Grinding Plate: For coarsely ground ingredients.
• Grinding Blade: The cutting component that works with the grinding plates.
• Food Pusher: Used to guide ingredients into the grinder.
• Wrench: For securing and loosening the grinding plates.

Image: All components of the KSMFGA Food Grinder Attachment laid out, including the main housing, grinding plates, blade, and food pusher.

Setup

Follow these steps to properly set up your KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment:

1. Ensure Mixer is Off and Unplugged: Before attaching or detaching any accessories, always ensure your KitchenAid Stand Mixer is turned off and unplugged from the power outlet for safety.
2. Remove Power Hub Cover: Locate the power hub on the front of your stand mixer. Unscrew the power hub cover by turning the attachment knob counter-clockwise and removing the cover.
3. Insert Grinder Shaft: Insert the shaft of the food grinder attachment into the power hub, ensuring the notch on the shaft aligns with the groove in the hub.
4. Secure Attachment: Tighten the attachment knob clockwise until the food grinder is firmly secured to the mixer.
5. Assemble Grinder Components: Place the grinding blade onto the shaft inside the grinder housing, followed by your chosen grinding plate (fine or coarse). Secure these with the retaining ring, tightening it by hand or using the provided wrench until snug.

Image: A KitchenAid Stand Mixer with the Food Grinder Attachment set up on a kitchen counter, ready for use.

Operating Instructions

To achieve optimal results and ensure safe operation, follow these guidelines:

• Prepare Ingredients: Cut ingredients into small pieces that will easily fit into the grinder's feed tube. For meat, ensure it is chilled and cut into strips or cubes to prevent clogging and ensure even grinding.
• Place Receiving Bowl: Position a bowl directly under the grinder's output to collect the ground ingredients.
• Select Speed: Turn on your KitchenAid Stand Mixer and select a low to medium speed (typically Speed 4 for grinding). Avoid using high speeds, as this can overheat ingredients or cause splashing.
• Feed Ingredients: Slowly feed the prepared ingredients into the feed tube using the food pusher. Never use your fingers or other utensils to push food into the grinder.
• Continuous Operation: For best results, feed ingredients continuously and at a steady pace.
• Incorporating Flavors: The grinder is excellent for incorporating herbs, spices, or vegetables like garlic and parsley directly into your ground meat for enhanced flavor.

Image: A person using the KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment to grind meat, demonstrating the feeding process.

Image: A person using the KitchenAid Food Grinder Attachment to grind chickpeas, illustrating its versatility beyond meat.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of your food grinder attachment:

1. Disassemble: After use, turn off and unplug the mixer. Disassemble the grinder attachment by reversing the setup steps.
2. Hand Wash Only: All parts of the food grinder attachment should be hand washed with warm, soapy water. Do not wash any parts in a dishwasher, as this can damage the components.
3. Remove Residue: Use a brush or sponge to thoroughly remove any food residue from the grinding plates, blade, and housing.
4. Rinse and Dry: Rinse all parts thoroughly with clean water. Immediately dry all metal parts completely to prevent rust. Some users recommend wiping metal parts with a small amount of food-grade mineral oil for added protection.
5. Storage: Store the clean, dry components in their original storage case or a clean, dry place.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using your food grinder attachment, consider the following:

• Clogging: If the grinder clogs, it is often due to ingredients not being sufficiently chilled or cut into pieces too large. Ensure meat is very cold and cut into smaller, manageable pieces. Do not force food into the grinder; use the food pusher gently.
• Poor Grinding Performance: Check that the grinding blade is correctly oriented and that the grinding plate is securely fastened. Ensure ingredients are properly prepared as described in the Operating Instructions.
• Attachment Not Securing: Ensure the attachment shaft is fully inserted into the power hub and the attachment knob is tightened firmly.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

For warranty information, product registration, or further assistance, please refer to the official KitchenAid website or the user guide provided with your stand mixer. A digital version of the user guide for the stand mixer is often available online.

You can also find additional support and product information by visiting the KitchenAid Store on Amazon.

For the main stand mixer user guide, you may refer to this PDF: KitchenAid Stand Mixer User Guide (PDF).