If you maintain a good planetary mixer that is properly sized for the tasks you give it, that mixer should serve you faithfully well into the future.

Some tips to make sure your mixer has a long and happy life:

Clean it regularly. The mixing bowl, attachments, and shaft should be cleaned after every use. The rest of the mixer should be cleaned on a regular basis. No matter what part of the mixer you’re cleaning, always use soapy water and a soft rag or brush. Never use abrasive pads or steel wool to clean any part of a mixer.

Lubricate moving parts regularly. Refer to your owner’s manual for an official schedule and the location of all the parts that need regular lubrication. Always use food-grade lubricant, especially on parts that could come into contact with food product, like the mixer shaft.

Don’t overload the mixer, ever! If you do, you’re going to break something sooner or later. Take care to size the mixer properly for the tasks you have at it and overloading shouldn’t be an issue. Always remember that what seems like a bargain when you buy a smaller mixer can end up being a headache later when it burns out on you from overwork.

A planetary mixer can do a lot of work for you. Buy the right one at the start and take care of it throughout, and you’ll have a permanent fixture in your kitchen’s daily operations.