The Complete Guide to the Ankarsrum Mixer: How to Use It and Why It Beats Other Stand Mixers
If you bake bread every week, grind your own flour, make fresh pasta, or simply want a mixer that will outlast every appliance in your kitchen, the Ankarsrum Original Mixer deserves a serious look. Built in Sweden for more than 80 years, the Ankarsrum works differently from any other stand mixer on the market, and once you understand how, it is easy to see why so many serious home bakers call it the last mixer they will ever buy.
At Gather Kitchen Mercantile, we are proud to be one of the only authorized Ankarsrum dealers in Tennessee. That means you can buy with confidence, get genuine accessories, and talk to people who actually use and know these machines. This guide covers everything: how the Ankarsrum works, how to use each tool, how it compares to other stand mixers, and which attachments are worth adding.
What Is the Ankarsrum Mixer?
The Ankarsrum Original (once sold as the Electrolux Assistent and sometimes called the Ankarsrum Assistent) is a Swedish kitchen machine designed first and foremost for dough. Instead of a motor sitting in a head above the bowl, the Ankarsrum places its powerful motor in the base and turns the bowl itself. Tools stay stationary or ride along the side of the bowl while the dough moves around them, kneading it the way a baker's hands would.
The result is a machine that can handle very large batches of heavy dough, runs quietly, and leaves the top of the bowl wide open so you can add ingredients, watch your dough, and scrape down with ease.
Why Choose an Ankarsrum Over Other Stand Mixers?
1. Built for big batches of bread dough
The generous stainless steel bowl handles large batches of bread dough, several loaves at a time, without straining. Traditional tilt-head and bowl-lift mixers often struggle, overheat, or walk across the counter with stiff whole-grain doughs. The Ankarsrum's bowl-driven design spreads the work out so the motor never fights the dough.
2. Gentle, hand-style kneading
The signature roller and scraper knead dough by folding and pressing it against the bowl wall, closely mimicking hand kneading. That develops gluten beautifully without overheating or tearing the dough, which is ideal for sourdough, enriched breads, bagels, and whole wheat loaves.
3. Handles small batches too
Swap to the double-beater bowl and whisks and the Ankarsrum whips a single egg white or a small batch of cream as easily as it mixes a big cookie dough.
4. Open-top design
With no mixer head in the way, you can pour in flour, water, and add-ins at any time and see exactly what your dough is doing.
5. Quiet, durable, and made to last
The Ankarsrum is known for its quiet operation and its reputation for lasting decades. It is a true buy-it-once appliance, the kind that gets handed down.
6. Built-in timer
A built-in timer shuts the mixer off automatically, so you can walk away while dough kneads and come back to perfectly mixed results.
7. A true kitchen system
The Ankarsrum is not just a mixer. Its power outlet drives a full lineup of attachments, from a grain mill and meat mincer to a blender, pasta roller, and ice cream maker, making it one machine that replaces several.
How to Use the Ankarsrum Mixer
The Ankarsrum has a short learning curve because it works differently from other mixers. Here is how to get great results from day one.
Getting to know the controls
You will use two dials: a speed control and a timer. Set the timer (or use the continuous setting), then turn the speed dial to start the bowl turning. Start low and increase speed gradually.
Using the roller and scraper (bread dough)
- Place the stainless steel bowl on the base and attach the arm with the roller and scraper.
- Add liquids first. This is the most important Ankarsrum tip. Pour in water, milk, eggs, fat, and yeast before any flour.
- Lock the roller arm a little away from the bowl wall, start on low speed, and add flour gradually.
- As the dough comes together, loosen the arm knob so the roller can move freely and press the dough against the side of the bowl.
- Knead on low to medium speed until the dough is smooth and elastic. Use the scraper to keep ingredients moving.
Using the dough hook
The dough hook is great for very stiff doughs and for smaller batches. Again, add liquids first, then flour, and let the hook work at a low to medium speed.
Using the double-beater bowl and whisks
For whipped cream, meringue, cake batter, frosting, and cookie dough, switch to the double-beater bowl with the whisks. The Ankarsrum Premium Beater Set adds cookie whisks and upgraded tools for heavier batters, and the Premium Beater Set & Bowl Complete gives you the full setup in one package.
Tips for the best results
- Always add liquid ingredients before dry ones when using the steel bowl.
- Let the machine do the work. Low and medium speeds are plenty for kneading.
- Adjust the roller arm tension as the dough stiffens.
- Use the timer to avoid over-kneading.
- Wash the bowl and tools in warm soapy water; the open design makes cleanup simple.
Looking for inspiration? The Home. Made. Recipes & More Ankarsrum Cookbook is packed with recipes written specifically for this machine.
The Best Ankarsrum Attachments and Accessories
Part of what makes the Ankarsrum such a smart investment is its huge range of attachments. Here are our favorites, all available at Gather.
For bread bakers
Fresh-milled flour transforms homemade bread. The Ankarsrum Grain Mill Attachment grinds wheat, spelt, rye, and other grains right before you bake, while the Ankarsrum Flake Mill makes fresh rolled oats and grain flakes for breakfast and baking. An extra Ankarsrum Stainless Steel Bowl (special order) is handy for back-to-back batches.
For pasta lovers
Make fresh pasta at home with the Ankarsrum Pasta Roller & Cutter Kit, or build your own set with the Pasta Roller Lasagna, Pasta Cutter Fettuccine, and Pasta Cutter Spaghetti 2 mm.
For meat and game
The Ankarsrum Meat Mincer Complete Attachment grinds fresh burger, sausage, and more. Hunters in Middle Tennessee and North Alabama will love the Ankarsrum Mincer Hunting Package for processing venison at home.
For fruits and vegetables
Slice, shred, and grate in seconds with the Ankarsrum Vegetable Cutter and its Vegetable Cutter Drums Set of 3, or the Ankarsrum Grater for cheese and nuts. The Ankarsrum Citrus Juicer makes quick work of lemons and oranges, and the Ankarsrum Strainer is perfect for sauces, purees, and jams.
For smoothies and frozen treats
The Ankarsrum Blender Attachment with Tamper handles smoothies, soups, and sauces. Churn homemade ice cream and sorbet with the Ankarsrum Ice Cream Maker Attachment, and add an Extra Freezer Bowl so you can make back-to-back batches.
Accessory bundles
Want a head start? The Ankarsrum Deluxe Accessories Package and the produce-focused Ankarsrum Go Green Accessories Package bundle popular attachments together.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ankarsrum Mixer
Is the Ankarsrum better than a KitchenAid?
For bread and heavy doughs, many bakers think so. The Ankarsrum handles larger batches, kneads more gently, runs quieter, and uses a bowl-driven design that avoids the strain tilt-head mixers can experience with stiff dough. It also offers an open bowl and a wide range of attachments.
Is the Ankarsrum hard to learn?
Not at all, it is just different. Remember to add liquids first, start slow, and adjust the roller arm as the dough firms up. Most people feel at home after a batch or two.
Can the Ankarsrum make small batches?
Yes. The double-beater bowl and whisks are designed for small jobs like whipping cream or egg whites.
Where can I buy an Ankarsrum mixer in Tennessee?
Gather Kitchen Mercantile is one of the only authorized Ankarsrum dealers in Tennessee. Shop the Ankarsrum Original Mixer and every attachment online, or visit us in person if you are near Columbia, Franklin, Nashville, or anywhere in Middle Tennessee and North Alabama.
Buy Your Ankarsrum from an Authorized Tennessee Dealer
Buying from an authorized dealer means genuine products, real support, and a team that knows these machines inside and out. Whether you are ready to order the Ankarsrum Original Mixer in your favorite color or want to expand your setup with a grain mill or pasta kit, Gather Kitchen Mercantile is here to help you bake, grind, roll, and whip your way to your best kitchen yet.