Kenwood Chef
The Kenwood Chef is a classic piece of kitchen equipment that generations of cooks have used. It is a supremely competent mixer, but it is even much more than that. Its strength and enduring appeal come from its bullet proof ruggedness and its incredible versatility. The variety of attachments can do anything from making sausages to mixing cocktails.
The original Kenwood Chef was an industrial looking mixer. This design was reasonably successful in the fifties. However, a new product was needed for the 1960s. Ken Wood, the Managing Director of Kenwood, asked another Ken, Kenneth Grange, to restyle the Kenwood Chef.
Kenneth Grange took the basic mechanicals of the Kenwood Chef and gave it a sleek, new skin for the 1960s. Gone were the rounded curves of the fifties' design, and in their place was a modern, squared off look that gave the Kenwood Chef a high-tech desirability. The classic Kenwood Chef has stayed true to this original concept.
Initially the new design did not go smoothly. Late delivery of a new machine needed to manufacture the restyled Kenwood Chef resulted in a profits warning for Kenwood in 1960. However, sales picked up quickly once the new Kenwood Chef was in the shops.
The Kenwood Chef's styling set it apart from other domestic appliances. It was an aspirational object for 60s housewives. It was one of those rare objects that captured the mood of the times. In spite of the liberation of women, in the 60s cooking was still trendy. Top TV chef of the time, Fanny Craddock, emphasised the glamour of dinner parties and cooking at home. The Kenwood Chef gained the status of a luxury piece of kitchen equipment. The advertisements claimed: 'Is there anything the Kenwood Chef can't do?'.
The Kenwood Chef mixer introduced a revolutionary action. Its beaters moved in an elliptical orbit whilst rotating at the same time, as the planets go around the sun. The marketing men loved the high tech sounding 'planetary action'. The Kenwood Chef came with several mixing attachments, the K-beater, with the company's famous 'K' logo, a whisk and a dough hook for making bread.
The Kenwood Chef was capable of doing many tasks in the kitchen, including liquidising, peeling, mincing, slicing, shelling and extracting juice. Extra attachments could be purchased for these many tasks.
The original Kenwood Chef was not cheap. It cost 30 guineas in 1966 (around £400 in today's money). You could also get the original Kenwood Chef by saving Green Shield Stamps. The Green Shield Stamp Catalogue gave the Kenwood Chef the ultimate accolade, when they added it to their exclusive group of products called 'the finest in the land'.
Kenwood Chef Classic
The Kenwood Chef was such a ground breaking design in the sixties that it has not been bettered by anything more modern.
Nothing makes a sponge cake like a Kenwood. You can walk away and leave it to take care of the cake mixture whilst you get on with something else. The Kenwood makes light of Christmas, wedding and birthday cakes. It also makes fantastically light meringues.
The liquidiser can make great breadcrumbs, purees, soups and mayonnaise. The attachments are easy to fit and simple to use. The Kenwood is easy to clean and maintain.
The new Kenwood Chef Classic is a lightly restyled version of the original sixties version.
This Kenwood Chef Classic, right, from Amazon, includes the K beater, balloon whisk and dough hook, just like the original from the sixties. It also includes the liquidiser, which would have been bought separately with the original Kenwood Chef.
Kenwood Chef attachments
Kenwood Chef balloon whisk
The Kenwood Chef balloon whisk is used for whisking egg whites for meringues, omelettes, whipping cream and mousses and fatless sponge mixtures, like Swiss rolls. Its balloon shape allows the user to maximise the air incorporated into the mixture, thus making the texture light.
Kenwood Chef K beater
The Kenwood Chef K beater has the Company's distinct 'K' logo. It is used for mixing cakes and pastry. It is particularly good for rubbing the fat into the flour when making shortcrust pastry.
The K beater is also handy for mixing rich fruit cakes, like wedding cakes and Christmas cakes, as it takes the arm work out of stirring the heavy mixture.
Kenwood Chef dough hook
The dough hook is used for kneading dough for bread, pizza bases and pasta. It is a lot easier to use the dough hook than to knead the dough by hand and cuts the time taken on the task in half.
Kenwood Chef liquidiser
The liquidiser has a variety of uses including pureeing vegetables and fruit for soups and smoothies. It can also be used make bread crumbs and chop nuts.
Other attachments for the Kenwood Chef
The Kenwood Chef can support a remarkable array of attachments. The following have been available, or are still available today:
- High speed slicer and shredder
- Slow speed slicer and shredder
- Mincer
- Pasta maker
- Coffee grinder
- Can opener
- Multi mill
- Juice centrifuge
- Sausage adapter for use with the mincer
- Kebbe maker - for making the Middle Eastern dish, Kebbe
- Grain mill
- Bean and peel slicer
- Cream maker
- Citrus press
- Colander and sieve
- Kenlyte bowl (the standard Kenwood Chef bowl)
- 'D' shaped bowl
- Stainless steel bowl
Kenwood Chefette
Kenneth Grange also designed the Kenwood Chefette, a smaller, hand held version in 1966. This was a more affordable way to get some of the Kenwood Chef style in your kitchen. The Kenwood Chefette cost £11 16s in 1966, but a stand and bowl were £3 19s extra (still £150, for the Chefette without the bowl, in today's money - compare this with the prices of modern, hand held mixers). The Chefette had some of the features of the Kenwood Chef, such as several speeds of operation and it also came with a liquidiser. The Chefette did not have the build quality of the Chef, and did not last as well.
Boots also produced their own version of the Kenwood Chefette in the 70s. In the 70s, the Kenwood Chefette gained and orange and white colour scheme.
Kenwood Chef spares
You can get spares for the Kenwood Chef on eBay, whether you have a classic A701 or an A901 from the sixties or seventies or a more updated model.
Your comments on the Kenwood Chef
"I've just been reading your website (which is great by the way - really interesting) and I wonder if you can help. I've just purchased an orange retro Kenwood Chef (A701 model) and have no instruction booklet. There is a note with it saying that the gearbox on top needs oil added, however, when examining it , it looks as if grease has been added instead of oil. Would you happen to know whether we add oil or grease?" Helen
Hi Helen. We do not have a manual for the Kenwood Chef A701. However, there is a manual for a Kenwood Chef A701 available for download see www.kenwoodservice.co.uk/instructions/UK/instructions-A701.pdf. There is also some discussion on Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert Forum see forums.moneysavingexpert.com, about instructions for the Kenwood Chef. I hope this is of some help to you. Retrowow
"I have an orange Kenwood Chef which, to my great sadness, became very ill yesterday and I am looking for a specialist to repair him - and I do still have his booklet and it says 'the gearbox of your Chef us permanently packed with grease and no additional lubrication is necessary during its normal life'. Does anyone know of a good repair man in the south east? " Taff
"I have an oldie Kenwood Chef A700. I am looking for a Mixing Bowl, but I see only a Mixing Bowl for the A701. Is the Mixing Bowl for the A701 compatible and identical with the Mixing Bowl of the A700. Thank you for your answer." Jan
"I have an original 1950's Kenwood chef - in working order, with attachments. Anyone interested in buying this?" Cynthia Harris email: cynthiaharris2005 @yahoo.co.uk [remove the space]
"I have Kenwood Chef KM200, but I have lost my instruction manual book. pls send me if u can. thanks" Amjad
Hi Amjad. There is a manual for the Kenwood Chef KM200 on this site.
See www.kenwoodservice.co.uk/instructions/UK/instructions-km200.pdf
Retrowow
"I have just inherited a Kenwood Chefette Model No. A340, but do not have a Manual. Are you able to advise me how to secure one?" Bill Wood
I've had a quick look on the internet for a manual for a Kenwood Chefette A340, but I can't see one.
"I have just been given one of these and found a manual here to download...FREE ... bonus http://kitchen.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/kenwood/km400.html" Wing
"I have a Kenwood Chef KM 200 and wish to purchase a steel mixing bowl for same. Please advise which bowl is suitable, its cost and source of supply." billybo
"I have one orange Kenwood Chef A901D-main control knob is not working (goes round and round). I have the info.that new knob is not avalable anymore -but can you fix the faulty one?..or do you have a any solution for me ? rgds.Gunnar" Gunnar Bodvarsson
"I have a Kenwood Chefette A340 inherited from my mother and still working fine. However, The fitting at the base which connects the blades of the mixer to the main motor housing always wears and eventually becomes unusable. Over the years I have managed to acquire spares from a local shop, which is not there any more. I'm not sure if these fittings are made now, or is there a modern equivalent which would fit my machine?" Jackie White
"hi, just bought a 2nd hand kenwood chef titanium km001.but was not given the manual.Could u help me??" kay
"help!!!!! I am looking for a Blade Hub Assy and base for kenwood chef liquidiser model a701a 1960 serial no. a538845 it is a fantastic bit of kit and is worth its weight in gold so far i have been met with glazed looks when asking for this part" baynes
"Hi, could anyone tell me the difference between the 901a and 901e kenwood mixers. Thank you. Jackie." jackie smith
"Hi there, Repair kits for the A701, A901 ans A901E can now be found on Ebay. These allow you to fix faults with the motor speed controller an problems like a smoking mixer. Kevin" Kevin Meneely
"I have an old Kenwood cheffete the 1966 model 340 it is still in it's original box and still works fine exept the plastic drive on the liquidiser has crumbled up and perished. I cannot seem to find one anywhere and I like to keep this machine,is it possible that you might have one of these parts still in your spare parts list. I appreciate it if you can help me.I also have the larger version kenwood with all attachments but the small is more handy for smaller jobs around the kithen. Regards and thank you." Joseph Debono
"I have just inherited out of my mother in laws loft a new boxed large blue and white original Kenwood Chef boxed a Goblin teasmade never used and a a Bush Bakelite radio that works any idea what i should ask for them at all grateful of your advice thanks" Sally Elmes
"I live in British Columbia. I have an old Kenwood Chef Mixer, and I need a new SPLASH COVER LID. Do you have any distributors in B.C. or in Canada? I am looking forward to a resply from you." Dwyla Beglaw
"I have had my Kenwood Chefette since it was introduced in the 1960s. I also had the larger Kenwood with all attachments but gave it away six months ago as it was too big for everyday use and had spent the last 45 years in a cupboard. Just this morning the Chefette gave up the ghost whilst making American frosting - it still works but light duties only. How is that for value!! My husband thinks its only the brushes and he can fix it - I do hope so as this little Chefette has churned out thousands of cakes over the years." Deirdre
"j'ai le kenwood A 927 cream maker et je ne sais pas comment l'utiliser pour faire de la crme il n'y a aucune indicxation sur les ingrdients merci de me rpondre" linda
Translation: I have the Kenwood A927 cream maker and I do not know how to use it to make cream. There is no indication of the ingredients - thank you for your response.
"Do you have available a mincer model A720 for a Kenwood Chef Model A701A, or could you advise where I might obtain one. Thank you." Carolyn Pemberton
"HI, I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A KENWOOD CHEF 901E AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHICH ATTACHMENTS WILL SUIT. I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE A LIQUIDISER, MINCER AND SLICER, AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION AS TO WHICH MODELS WOULD BE SUITABLE. THANK YOU ELIZABRTH" Elizabeth Downs
"I am searching for a manual and info as to what accessories (blender, mincer etc) will be compatible with my 901E food processor, and would be grateful for any assistance. Thanks" diseymoon
"hi-i am a proud owner of a kenwood chef mod.A700.D inherited with many memories of my mum using it, making butter once- turning away for a bit at a critical moment just when the whey seperated and splatterd all round the kitchen!we had to laugh. that was in early 60's-now i'm 61 and its still going,the only thing is the bowl has got broken,can i replace it with a modern stainless steel type? yours cliff." cliff franklin
"My father bought me a Kenwood Chefette in 1968 because I was a keen cook. It is still working but has developed a squeal as the speed is increased. If I go down the speeds again it usually stops but I fear that one day it will stop working. I would really like to get it fixed if at all possible especially considering the sentimental reasons. Any ideas? I think the model number looks as though it is an A340. Many thanks in anticipation." Anne Redfern
"Attention Sally Elmes. Have just been browsing. Saw your mention of an unused blue and white kenwood mixer. Is it available ? Is it a chef from the 50s ? Would love to buy. Hope this is not too late. Do not know when you posted your comment. Thanks David" David Rice
"Hi, I need a bowl for my Kenwood Chefette A375 please, any ideas? This model has the plastic bowl with a cog like structure on the base, so that it can turn automatically when the which is on. I've tried Kenwood Spares and ebay but the part is discontinued. Thanks Cheryl B" Cheryl Butler
"I am trying to find a sausage filler for my mincer A720" Debbie
"Jeg har mistet min manual, hber i kan hjlpe mig, p forhnd tak !" INGE GLSTORFF
According google translation from Danish: I lost my manual, hope you can help me thank you in advance!
Hi Inge, You can download a manual in English from safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/KENWOOD/CHEF Retrowow
"I just acquired a Kenwoood Chef KM200 but there is no manual. Can anyone advise me where I can get one? The link further up this page does not work." Anne
You could try www.kenwoodchefrestore.co.uk/, but I couldn't make the download work Retrowow
"I've acquired a KM200 without any accessories. Which current series of accessories are compatible with the KM200? Thanks Eileen" Eileen Ryan
"We bought our KENWOOD CHEF 9th Jan 1982. Model A901. We think the motor may be faulty, it has started smelling of burning when in use. Is there somewhere near Leeds area where I can get it serviced or repaired? Do you think it is the motor or probably the brushes that are faulty? We are reluctant to dispose of it and would miss it if it was unrepairable. SUE DUCKWORTH 25th November 2009" SUE DUCKWORTH
"Hi Everyone! I am currently selling repair kits for the speed controller in the A901 and A901E Chefs, on Ebay. These fix the 'smell of burning' and 'smoking' problems. " Kevin Meneely
"It has been a very sad day, my Dear old kenwood has just died, went to use it and it was dead, shock this machine slaved away at making cakes and much more for my family. My kenwood is an A9O1P modle is there any where that i can get it tested and brought back to life after this terriable malfuntion. also would there be any spare parts avalible for this maching, it was a wedding presant to us from one of my brothers in 1981" Diane Moysey
"I have used a Kenwood Chef since my marriage in 1969. I have recently acquired a slow speed shreader and slicer A728. I have managed to locate the connection hole at the front of the Chef but cannot manage to get the thing to rotate. I need an instruction leaflet to go with this attachment. I have tried the links in this article to no avail. Help please, Love the Chef" Sandra
"The Kenwood Chef is a very good machine BUT unfortuately ours went wrong just outside the warranty period and need new parts in the gearbox/drive mechanism on the top.
We got in touch with a company named Battle Electronics in Westham, East Sussex and they had the mixer for some 3 months and failed to fix it and the owner was abusive when I called to collect the unrepaired machine." Robin Winter
"Hi, I have Kenwood Chef A901. My mincer attachment needs replacing and I was wondering if the new attachments currently on the market would fit my chef and what would be the number of the mincer which would fit my Kenwood Chef. I live in Spain so I would like to buy one I can get locally." Kamila
Hi Kamila, Sorry I don't know for sure. I'd guess the modern attachment would not fit the A901. I have a manual for a Kenwood Chef A701 which suggests an A720 mincer attachment as being correct for this model. I also have a manual for KM200, KM201, KM210, KM211, KM220 and KM250, which suggests the A920 attachment for these models. I've seen an eBay listing for an A920 mincer attachment and the seller described it as suitable for the A901. Retrowow
Hi Kamila, More on this... I spotted this compatibility chart on another site Kenwood Chef attachment compatibility. I hope this helps.
"I have an A701A K.Chef witha poor elec. connection inside. If I wiggle the lerad and flick the on/off switch it will often work long enough for the job in hand. Sometimes, however, it is a ruddy pain. Can anyone tell me how to get inside to repair the connection as, being a pensioner, I cannot afford 2 wseeks income for a professional repair, Thanks, " Ted
" i have a kenwood chefette A320 in exccelent condition and working order, could anybody tell me how old this model is please and is it worth much." peter bird
Hi Peter, Kenwood Chefettes are not worth as much as Kenwood Chefs. I would say it would fetch from £10 to £15 on eBay. Retrowow
"Trying to find instructions on using attachment A927 cream maker. Cheers" Rebecca
"Just got an ancient Kenwood Chef A700D without bowl. Am hoping for any spare fittings too. Anyone got anything for my old baby? Only problem, I'm in South Africa, but if you coming for the world cup I can do a trade of sorts!!! " Kitty (kittschn@gmail.com)
"I have just been given the most beautifully maintained Kenwood 'electronic' mixer,(chef) the instruction booklet says it is for models km200 to km 250. Could you kindly tell me where this fine appliance was made and the approx year of manufacture, thank you. Ken madigan Australia" ken madigan
"Hi i have a Kenwood Chef A901 if you are looking for spare parts i just bought a liquidiser from a lady on the Preloved web site she has other parts also and sends fast i got mine in 2 days." Carole
"where can i get parts for my kenwood a707a mixer thanks" john hartwell
Retrowow
Retro style and the mid-century era
many thanks" Glynis Ellis 05/04/2010
Jo" Jo Lamb 17/04/2010
thanks" simone 19/04/2010
I found a company in Bridgwater, Somerset who will repair or restore most models of KW Chef from the early 1950's to the present. website is www.kenwoodchefrestore.co.uk
They also have a page cross referencing models and attachments so you can easily see which attachements fit which machines.
http://kenwoodchefrestore.co.uk/Attachments.htm
I got my A901E repaired, it came back regreased and quieter. They arranged courier collection and delivery. However, they are closed until June 1st for workshop renovation but worth putting into favourites for later use.
Hope this helps.
Jon" Jonathan Davies 23/04/2010
I have an old Kenwood Chef A700. I am looking for a mixing bowl, but I see only a mixing bowl for the A701. Is the Mixing Bowl for the A701 compatible?
Many thanks
Wendy" Wendy Sykes 02/05/2010
In Canada." Sharon 03/05/2010
never been used until now. I find that when the large ring nut is tightened, the scroll/drive shaft is completely seized. This is because the mincing screen stands proud of the body by about 2mm, ie., either the shaft doesn't go down far enough or one of the components is the wrong size/type. The bush at the far end of the body seems OK and seated. Any ideas ? Thanks" Dick Best 29/05/2010
Perhaps the attachment I got was not fully compatible with my Chef. Kenwood made different machines for different parts of the world.
Can someone help me to get the right mincer if I provide the serial number or model number which is on the bottom of the base of the Chef?
Thank you.
Khuan Fong" Khuan Fong 16/06/2010
I was making bread the other day - it stopped. I would like to get it serviced. Do you know where, in southern Ontario I could take it" Victoria Coates 16/07/2010
Thanks in advance
Roy" Roy A 26/08/2010
I have dismantled and cleaned the flour/sugar/fat/oil accumulation inside the housing.
The lubrication hole above the gears seems to be open/missing a threaded plug?.Is this where the vegetable lubricant is inserted?.How is that done?" thomas gibson 05/09/2010
I am looking for a 1950 kenwood chef as a wedding present for my sister. Anybody looking to sell one?
mlw2218@hotmail.com" Marv Woodhouse 22/09/2010
thank you" mrs l anderson 09/10/2010
I have a very old Kenwood Chef A700D late 50s, I'm looking for a new berter for it. If anyone knows where or who i can get one in British Columbia or and email address
thanks Adeline" Adeline 05/12/2010
Does anyone know of a repair shop in Kent?
I have just bought a Kenwood Major from a women on preloved( she assured me it worked..) and it does not work. I've changed the plug but still nothing.
Txs Sue" Sue 28/12/2010
I have a KM310 and I would like to know how to clean the liquidizer becuase at the base all the food get traps in seal at the bottom. Does the base come apart?
thanks" Nicky Goodman 01/01/2011
Does anyone have the pasta attachment 736A
for my Kenwood Chef 701A?
Thanks Colleen 31/01/11" colleen norris 31/01/2011
thanks
Nick" Nick 09/02/2011
I wish now that I had tried to get it fixed. I don't know if a rubber seal had perished, but the mixer still worked when it went in the bin!" Gordon 22/03/2011
Martyn" Martyn 25/03/2011
A dear friend of mine I inherit of his dad a KM250 but the manual of instructions does not have if they were so nice of facilitating it to me estaria very grateful
Thank you for the given attention" INMACULADA RODRIGUEZ ROMERO 18/04/2011
It is leaking oil and I would like to clean it but can't get the top of.
Marco" marco kurek 02/06/2011
smahroof at gmail.com
Sabreena" Sabreena Mahroof 13/06/2011
Many thanks" Luisa Andreou-Jones 30/06/2011
I live in the Netherlands" Grietje Fokker 03/10/2011
Can anyone tell me whats the difference between a Kenwood A901 series & Kenwood Chef Excel KM210 series please??
I have had my Kenwood A901 since brand new but I'm looking at buying another for my daughter so I can get my one back." Vonnie 11/10/2011
Will the present day attachments fit a 200?
Many thanks" Cath MC 11/10/2011
I sell a repair kit to cure the 'smoking' and 'Dead' Mixer problemswith The A901 and A901E machines
For £6.25 I can sell you replacements for the two troublesome capacitors, the resistors and the triac. I include full illustrated instructions.
Why not give it a try before dumping that mixer - my kits have a 99%+ success rate.
You will need a soldering iron and some basic soldering skills.
You can phone / text me on 07961 965969
Best regards,
Kevin Meneely" Kevin Meneely 31/10/2011
We look forward to your immediate response.
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