If you’re a proud owner of a KitchenAid stand mixer, you already know it’s a staple for bakers and home cooks alike. But did you know that even a brand-new KitchenAid mixer may need a slight adjustment to work perfectly with your bowl attachments—and with accessories like your Mixer Skirt?
One simple trick to make sure your mixer is set up for success is the Dime Test. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to do it, why it matters, and how it ensures your Mixer Skirt performs at its best.
What Is the Dime Test? Watch it here.
The Dime Test is a quick, easy way to determine whether your KitchenAid mixer’s beater is at the proper height inside the mixing bowl. If the beater is too low, it can scrape the bottom. If it’s too high, it won’t mix thoroughly—which means your ingredients may stay stuck to the sides or bottom.
This becomes even more important when you’re using a Mixer Skirt, a fabric splash guard designed for KitchenAid stand mixers. A poorly adjusted beater can cause splatter that even the best bowl cover can’t fully contain.
How to Do the Dime Test on a KitchenAid Mixer
You’ll need:
- A dime (or a similar-sized coin)
- Your KitchenAid mixer with the flat beater attached
- Your bowl in place and locked
Steps:
- Unplug your mixer for safety.
- Place the dime in the center of the bowl.
- Attach the flat beater and lower the head (or bowl, depending on your model).
- Plug the mixer back in and turn it on to Speed 1.
Watch the dime:
- If it barely moves or vibrates slightly in a small circle, your beater height is just right.
- If the dime doesn’t move at all, the beater is too high.
- If the dime gets pushed around quickly or scraped, the beater is too low.
How to Adjust the Beater Height
If your mixer didn’t pass the dime test, here’s how to fix it:
For tilt-head mixers:
- Unplug the mixer.
- Tilt the head back and locate the screw at the base of the mixer head (right where it hinges).
-
Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the screw:
- Clockwise = lowers the beater
-
Counterclockwise = raises the beater
- Make small adjustments, then test again.
For bowl-lift mixers:
- Unplug the mixer.
- Locate the adjustment screw on the mixer’s neck just behind the bowl.
- Turn clockwise or counterclockwise, same as above.
- Test again until the dime moves in a slow, consistent circle.
Why the Dime Test Matters for Your Mixer Skirt
When your mixer is adjusted correctly:
- Your Mixer Skirt stays clean and effective.
- Splatter is minimized, since the beater scrapes the sides and bottom properly.
- You avoid scraping or damaging your bowl, even with the Mixer Skirt in place.
- You can pour while mixing confidently, knowing the ingredients are fully incorporated and not flying out.
Remember, the Mixer Skirt is designed to stay on while mixing, allow for bowl scraping, and help prevent mess. But it works best when your mixer is calibrated correctly!
Final Thoughts
The dime test takes less than five minutes, but it can dramatically improve the performance of your KitchenAid mixer—and the effectiveness of your Mixer Skirt. Whether you’re whipping up cookies, bread dough, or cake batter, getting that beater height just right makes all the difference.
Want to upgrade your mixer experience even further? Check out the Mixer Skirt, a washable, stylish, and functional KitchenAid bowl cover that actually works while the mixer is running.
→ Shop now at TheMixerSkirt.com and say goodbye to messy countertopst!