Why Choose KitchenAid?
For over a century, KitchenAid has offered professional-quality appliances in stylish designs. Moreover, the brand works with professional chefs to design and develop products that help you get the most out of every meal.
In the refrigerator/freezer category, KitchenAid has a model to suit every kitchen. From multi-door freestanding options to built-in units, KitchenAid has a model to fit your needs. Besides their stylish appearance, they come with reasonable price tags. The brand’s slogan, ‘For the way it’s made,’ lets you know KitchenAid is a brand you can depend on.
History
The KitchenAid brand grew from a mixer designed by the Hobart Manufacturing Company. In 1919, Ohio engineer Herbert Johnson came up with the concept after watching a baker knead dough by hand. Dubbed the H5, the machine not only mixed ingredients well but also came with timesaving attachments. It could grind meat, slice foods, knead dough, and squeeze fruit to make juice.
A few wives of Hobart executives received a prototype to test. When asked what the company should name the appliance, one wife replied, “I don’t care what you call it. It is the best kitchen aid I’ve ever had.” Thus, the brand KitchenAid® was born.
The H-5 was the first “food preparer” in a long line of KitchenAid stand mixers that operated by rotating the beaters in one direction while the bowl moved in the opposite direction. Once word of this labor-saving machine spread, the U.S. Navy ordered mixers for the kitchens aboard its three new battleships.
KitchenAid attempted to sell these machines in stores. However, a few retailers thought the price was too high and refused to put them on store shelves. As a result, the company assembled a female sales force to sell the mixers. The women lugged the H5 from door to door. After the homeowner invited the salesperson into the house, she showed how the product worked. And once women saw how the machine could simplify their lives, interest in the product grew.
Reports vary about the initial model’s capacity. Some say it held 60 quarts, while others claim it could hold up to 80 quarts. Nevertheless, the H5s success prompted KitchenAid to make smaller, lighter, more attractive models.
Founding and Milestones
In 1937, KitchenAid commissioned Egmont Arens to design the next mixer. A magazine editor and industrial designer, Arens made a name for himself by creating product packaging that appealed to consumers. He designed the Model K mixer. It was sleek and featured a bullet-shaped head that was easy to tilt back to swap out attachments. The design, which received multiple awards, is still used as a template today. You can also find the mixers on display in museums.
KitchenAid also launched the first electric coffee mill in 1937. By 1949, the manufacturer had added a residential dishwasher to its appliance lineup. It differed from other brands. Instead of splashing water on the dishes, the KitchenAid model sprayed water through pressurized nozzles.
In 1955, KitchenAid added colors to the mix. There were six designs, ranging from white and pink to chrome and gold. KitchenAid focused primarily on mixers and dishwashers until 1985, when it acquired the Chambers Corporation of Oxford, Mississippi. The Chambers Corporation already manufactured stoves. KitchenAid wanted to add refrigerators to its appliance package.
Whirlpool followed up on this concept when it purchased KitchenAid a year later. KitchenAid expanded its offerings in 1993 with new models of hand mixers, blenders, and food processors. In 2008, KitchenAid added induction cooktops with five burners to appeal to cooks with limited counter space. In 2019, KitchenAid celebrated its 100th anniversary by introducing a limited-edition line of appliances in Passion Red.
Today, KitchenAid continues to make sleek appliances to streamline the kitchen. Most importantly, the brand makes sure that every product that bears its name meets a list of quality standards. And with over 100 years in the business, KitchenAid is a brand customers know they can trust.
Production and Manufacturing
Headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, KitchenAid employs over 20,000 people in the United States. KitchenAid manufactures its appliances in the USA, Mexico, China, and other locations around the globe.
Products
KitchenAid has 35 manufacturing plants around the world. Still, there are a few facilities in the United States. Regardless of where the plant is located, KitchenAid demands each product pass a series of quality control tests.
KitchenAid’s flagship plant in Greenville, Ohio, manufactures the company’s standing mixers, hand mixers, and blenders. The Findlay, Ohio facility produces the dishwashers. KitchenAid makes the ranges in Cleveland, Tennessee and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The plant in China assembles the toasters, food processors, kettles, and grills. KitchenAid has refrigerator manufacturing plants in Amana, Iowa and Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
Manufacturing
In July 2021, the company announced a $150 million expansion of its Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. The project increased the facility by 30,000 square feet and added 1,000 jobs to the payroll.
At KitchenAid refrigeration plants, a machine cuts raw sheet metal into various parts. The device bends the pieces and punches the holes to precise measurements for models like the KitchenAid French door and KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerators.
Workers seal the seams and prepare the cabinet for a liner. A different machine makes the liner, and employees shape the material and place it inside the fridge before installing the trim. An inspector inspects the work to make sure the pieces are sealed properly. Afterward, the refrigerator is injected with structural foam for stability.
Next, assembly line workers install electrical components and brackets for shelving, bins, and exterior ice and water dispensing. Random units are selected for another inspection. A machine analyzes each refrigerator to make sure all the dimensions are correct. If the appliance passes the inspection, workers install the brackets, electrical components, and shelving. Then the ice maker and doors are attached. Finally, each refrigerator undergoes a six-hour performance test.
Most KitchenAid premium refrigerators include a Produce Preserver, adjustable shelves, soft-close drawers, slide-away shelving, under-shelf storage, and prep zones.
Key Facts
KitchenAid has always supported different causes. One way it helps is by making appliances in colors to match an organization’s logo. For instance, KitchenAid made pink countertop appliances for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. They donated a portion of the proceeds to the organization during its ‘Cook for the Cure’ campaign.
KitchenAid is also taking steps to bring equality to the kitchen. As a brand initially built for women, KitchenAid helps raise awareness and combat gender inequality in the culinary industry. The company’s documentary ‘A Woman’s Place’ highlights the contributions women make to that industry. The brand has also partnered with the James Beard Foundation to help women advance in the culinary profession.
KitchenAid is taking a sustainable path to the products it manufactures. It is one of the few companies that manufactures most of its appliances for U.S. consumers in the United States. Doing so helps lower carbon emissions.
Also, the company is phasing out its use of single-use plastic and providing information on its packaging on how customers can recycle the materials. Also, KitchenAid plans to become a zero-waste company by the end of 2022. In its first year of reducing its ecological footprint, KitchenAid decreased waste by 29% by recycling all Styrofoam and soft plastic. Also, the company has stopped using black plastic. Bins throughout its facilities remind employees to recycle. In the office, employees use sustainable paper and are encouraged to print only when necessary.
KitchenAid also partners with Hunter Pods to build housing from recycled materials to accommodate people experiencing homelessness. Recycled polystyrene is used to form the foundation of the pods.
Warranty Information
KitchenAid’s refrigerator warranties differ depending on the component. Water filter warranties are good from 30 days of the purchase date. The company will pay for replacement parts and labor costs for up to one year if the materials are defective or there’s an issue with poor workmanship. From years two through five, the warranty covers the cavity liner and specific refrigeration parts such as the compressor, condenser, and dryer. It does not cover the cavity liner in years six through 10 of the warranty, but KitchenAid will cover the other parts mentioned above. You can view the details of the warranty on the KitchenAid website. The company also offers an extended warranty.
KitchenAid Refrigerator/Freezer Parts
KitchenAid Website: Enter the model or part number in the search bar at the top of the page. If you’re having trouble finding the model number inside the fridge, you can click the orange ‘Chat’ icon for help.
Check Out More Kitchen Content From RefrigeratorHQ
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KitchenAid Refrigerator/Freezer Reviews
To help you make an informed buying decision, we reviewed a few of KitchenAid’s best-selling refrigerators. We look at various configurations, shelf options, bin space, ice makers, water dispensers, LED lighting, and other features. Make sure to check out the pros and cons before you buy.
KitchenAid Refrigerator/Freezer Roundups
Whether you prefer the classic style of a side-by-side or the continuous space French door refrigerators, KitchenAid has something for you. We show you some of the most favored picks.
KitchenAid Refrigerator/Freezer Comparisons
KitchenAid offers several French door and side-by-side refrigerators. Check out the most popular models on one page. Then, you can choose which style best serves your needs.
KitchenAid Press Releases
To find out what’s new, visit KitchenAid’s Press Room. You can view press releases, fact sheets, photos, and videos. There’s also a section of new recipes you can try.
KitchenAid Recalls
The last KitchenAid recall took place in 2019. It was for one of the cooktop models. Currently, there are no KitchenAid refrigerators on the recall list, and a review of records going back to 2005 shows no recalls issued for KitchenAid refrigerators between that year and 2019. Go to the foot of the page and click the ‘recall’ link to find out if the company issued a recall for your appliance. Since Whirlpool owns KitchenAid, you will be redirected to the Whirlpool website.
Where To Buy
You can buy KitchenAid freestanding refrigerators from the company’s e-commerce store. Or you may prefer to shop at an appliance store or at one of the following retailers.
Deals
If you’re looking for a deal, we can help you get the most bang for your buck. Follow the links below to view the best KitchenAid deals available now.
Similar Brands
If KitchenAid refrigerators don’t suit your needs and taste, don’t worry. We make it easy to find information on the brand’s competitors. Consider these alternatives:
Online Presence
You’ll find a treasure trove of information on the KitchenAid website. Also, you can browse the company’s social media pages for more info.
Contact Information
Before contacting customer service, you may want to check out this FAQ section. You’ll find information on how to register your appliance, how to claim rebates, and how to care for your appliance. You can also call anytime during Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time or Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Customer Service Number: 1-800-422-1230
- Contact Form