The KitchenAid Evergreen stand mixer has become one of the year’s most talked-about countertop appliances—not just for its eye-catching walnut bowl and brass accents, but also for the practical concerns it has stirred among prospective buyers.
Touted as a design-forward update to the brand’s classic tilt-head mixer, the Evergreen Design Series includes a hand-sanded, food-safe laminated walnut bowl that’s drawn attention for both its aesthetics and its upkeep requirements.
With its unique design, the mixer has sold out multiple times. But amid the buzz, a growing number of users are questioning whether the wooden bowl lives up to the mixer’s reputation for function and durability.
Concerns Over Cracking, Odors and Wear
In a Reddit thread posted by user imakunii, dozens of commentators weighed in on how well the KitchenAid wooden bowl is holding up. While some acknowledged its beauty, others warned that long-term users might be in for disappointment.
“It’s still new enough that they likely won’t notice any issue yet,” one contributor offered.
“Trust me, the bowl will fail. People won’t oil it, they will get it wet and it will dry and crack and rot,” they continued.
Others on the forum pointed to more than just cosmetic issues.
“Not only will it crack and rot, it will hold odors and bacteria. I replaced my wood salad serving bowl and my wood spoons with bamboo because the wood always smelled like rancid oil,” another critic said.
Even in retail settings, the concerns were echoed.
“The old lady that worked there told me that they had a KitchenAid representative that came in and actually advised against the wooden bowl for people who will regularly use it because it will dry out and crack,” one commentator wrote about their experience at Crate & Barrel.
KitchenAid’s Official Care Guidelines
KitchenAid acknowledges that the wooden bowl is a departure from its traditional stainless steel offering. According to its official product care guide, the bowl is constructed from laminated walnut and coated with a food-grade finish.
The company advises that the bowl must be hand-washed and dried with a soft cloth immediately after use. It is not dishwasher-safe and should never be scrubbed with steel wool or harsh detergents.
Regular maintenance with food-grade mineral oil or walnut oil is recommended—ideally after every use—to keep the bowl from drying and cracking.
Still, the mixer has its defenders and there are ways to make it far more usable long-term. In a review for Tom’s Guide, reviewer Millie Fender wrote that while it may not suit the needs of daily bakers, “there’s another (totally valid) audience who I think would absolutely love this mixer.”
She called the walnut bowl “so pretty” and praised the unique brass detailing, but acknowledged, “It’s a high-maintenance item that you’ll need to care for with regular use.”
For KitchenAid fans who love the Evergreen’s look but not the labor it requires, a simple solution exists. Compatible silicone bowl liners can be swapped in when ease of use is the priority, allowing owners to use the walnut bowl while protecting the wood itself.
Here are some well-reviewed five-quart liners that will fit the KitchenAid mixer’s five-quart bowl:
For now, the Evergreen mixer continues to blur the line between form and function. Its design-forward appeal is hard to resist, but for those unwilling to commit to a careful maintenance routine, the price of beauty may include more than just the sticker tag.
Newsweek has reached out to imakunii for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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