A Pinch of Help: Countertop Appliances
How to Use a Spiralizer (Full Guide)
Interested in trying low-carb veggie noodles? Looking for a way to slice your vegetables extra thin for salads, stir-fries, pickling, or slaws? KitchenAid(R) stand mixers can be used to help you cut your vegetables to perfection every time with the right attachments.
Discover how to use a spiralizer to make delicious and healthy meals in this guide. We also explore the various attachments that can help you make the most of your spiralizer.
What Can You Spiralize?
Depending on which blade you use, you can enjoy a wide range of spiralizer uses. The spiralizer attachment can be used to create thin, pasta-like strands, as well as peel fruits and vegetables. This versatility lends itself well to a wide range of produce, including (but not limited to):
- Apples
- Butternut Squash
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Potatoes (sweet and white)
- Summer squash
- Zucchini
If you want to spiralize your produce, be sure to wash and prepare it properly before you do so. Below you will find a list of general guidelines.
How to Use a Spiralizer: Tips and Tricks
Using a spiralizer is simple and straightforward. Here is how to prepare food for your spiralizer:
- Cut the ends off food items to ensure that the food will properly fit on the spiralizer.
- This creates a flat surface for best spiralizing, slicing, and coring results. - Food diameter: should be 1.5 - 3.75 inches (3.81 - 9.5 cm)
- Food length: no longer than 5.5 inches (14 cm). (Cut large vegetables to fit.)
- This step also ensures proper placement onto the fruit and vegetable skewer.
Spiralizer Tips:
For some people, inserting the skewer into the vegetable first makes spiralizing easier. It is a matter of personal preference. Below is a video that demonstrates how to attach produce to your spiralizer for the most effective results.
EXTRA FINE SPIRALIZING BLADE
creates a 2 mm x 3 mm strand, similar to angel hair noodles.
FINE SPIRALIZNG BLADE
creates a 4 mm x 4 mm strand, similar to spaghetti.
MEDIUM SPIRALIZING BLADE
creates a 4 mm x 6 mm strand for quick and easy potatoes and zucchini in casseroles in soups.
THIN SLICING BLADE
(small core) for a 2 mm ribbon style result to make extra-thin slices for salads and other garnishes.
SLICING BLADE
(small core) for a 4 mm ribbon style result with fresh fruits and vegetables with little to no cores, such as zucchini.
SLICING BLADE
(large core) for a 4mm ribbon style result with fresh fruits and vegetables with larger cores, such as apples.
PEELING BLADE
can be used independently or in combination with spiralizing or spiral slicing blades.
Using The Blades and Speeds On Your Spiralizer
When beginning to cut, start at the “Stir” speed, then adjust to the recommended speed for your blade listed in the chart below:
Chart
| Icon | Use these parts | With these parts | Suggested foods | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Fine spiralizing blade |
Fruit and vegetable skewer and optional peeling blade  |
Zucchini Potato beet | 4 |
 |
Medium spiralizing blade |
Zucchini Sweet Potato Potato | 6 | |
 |
Spiral slice blade (large core) |
Apple pear | 6 | |
 |
Spiral slide blade (small core) |
Zucchini beet | 4 | |
 |
Peeling blade |
Fruit and vegetable skewer |
Potato Apple | 4 |
Troubleshooting
ATTACHMENT IS MAKING A HOLE IN THE FRUIT OR VEGETABLE:
- For best results, use only fresh, hard, and firm fruits and vegetables.
- Before turning on the mixer, make sure the fruit or vegetable is firmly attached to the skewer.
- Turning the mixer on first, and allowing the blade to engage with a fruit or vegetable that is already turning can cause the food to stop turning, and allow it to "bore" a hole in the food item.
SPIRALIZER CARRIAGE NOT MOVING:
- Be sure to keep the bar that says KitchenAid and the black piece that slides over it very clean.
- Adding a drop or two of vegetable oil to the bar will also make it slide much more easily.
