Tested & Proven: How to Get Tar Out of Stand Mixer Fast

By Sarah Mitchell · December 5, 2025

Immediate Action (first 5 minutes)

I'll be honest, finding tar in a kitchen appliance is a nightmare. You usually encounter this bizarre situation when you buy a used KitchenAid Professional 600 Series at an estate sale, or someone in your house decided to mix small-batch roofing cement in your favorite 5-quart bowl. Don't panic. The first 5 minutes are absolutely critical for saving your machine.

Unplug the mixer immediately. Tar is petroleum-based, meaning it hardens as it cools and melts when heated. If the mixer bowl is still warm from friction, grab a plastic scraper. I personally use the OXO Good Grips silicone spatula because it won't scratch the polished stainless steel interior. Scrape out as much of that thick, black sludge as you possibly can before it sets. Throw it in the trash. If you wash it down the sink, the petroleum will cool and coat your pipes, leading to a massive plumbing bill.

Next, wipe the exterior base with a dry paper towel to lift any wet splatters. If the tar has already hardened into a solid puck at the bottom of the bowl, skip the scraping entirely. You'll just scratch the metal. Move straight to the heat and oil methods detailed below.

What You'll Need (tools/products)

In my experience cleaning kitchen appliances for over a decade, using the wrong solvent is the biggest mistake people make. You must prioritize food-safe ingredients for the bowl and attachments. The exterior base is a different story, but we will get to that later. Here is exactly what I keep in my cleaning caddy for this specific job.

Essential Tools

Plastic Scraper or Silicone Spatula: Never use metal putty knives. A $6 OXO silicone spatula works perfectly.
Old Toothbrush: Essential for getting into the threads of the beater shaft.
Microfiber Cloths: You will ruin these, so use rags you plan to throw away.
Rubber Gloves: Tar stains skin for days. Grab a pair of heavy-duty nitrile gloves.

Cleaning Agents Comparison

I've tested dozens of solvents on my own KitchenAid Artisan. Here is how they stack up regarding effectiveness and food safety.

Product	Price Range	Food Safe?	Best Used On
Vegetable / Canola Oil	$3 - $5	Yes	Bowls, Beaters, Whisks
Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray	$4 - $6	Yes	Final Degreasing
Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser	$5 - $8	No	Exterior Base Only
Mineral Spirits	$10 - $15	No	Stubborn Exterior Splatters

Step-by-Step Removal (4-7 steps)

This process takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. I'll be honest, this takes elbow grease, but it will save you from buying a $300 replacement mixer. Follow these steps exactly.

Step 1: The Hot Water Soak

Fill your sink or a large basin with water heated to exactly 140°F. You want it hot enough to soften the petroleum, but not boiling, which could warp certain plastic attachments. Submerge the tar-covered bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes. The heat will cause the hardened tar to loosen its grip on the stainless steel. If the tar floats to the top, skim it off with a paper towel immediately so it doesn't reattach as the water cools.

Step 2: The Oil Emulsion Method

Pour out the hot water and dry the bowl. Now, pour half a cup of cheap canola or vegetable oil directly onto the remaining tar spots. Tar is lipophilic, meaning it dissolves in other fats and oils. Use a paper towel to rub the oil into the stain using firm, circular motions. You'll see the black sludge start to melt and turn into a muddy brown paste. This isn't the cheapest option if you use premium olive oil, so stick to the dollar-store vegetable oil.

Step 3: Scrubbing the Beater and Whisk

The flat beater is easy to wipe down, but the wire whip is a different story. If tar got into the wire whip, you are in for a tedious afternoon. The thin wires create dozens of tight corners where petroleum sludge hides. I recommend filling a tall 2-liter plastic bottle with hot water and a generous squirt of dish soap. Submerge the whip, seal the top with your hand, and shake it violently for three minutes. The agitation forces the soapy water through the tight gaps.

Step 4: Cleaning the Mixer Base

For the exterior motor base, you can use stronger chemicals since it never touches food. Spray Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe down the metal housing, paying special attention to the ventilation slots on the back. Don't spray directly onto the machine. Liquid can seep into the motor housing and short out the wiring. If there are thick drips on the base, let the degreaser sit for 5 minutes before wiping.

Step 5: The Final Degrease

Now your bowl is tar-free, but it's coated in greasy vegetable oil. Spray the entire interior with Dawn Powerwash Dish Spray. Let it sit for 3 minutes to break down the oil emulsion. Scrub lightly with a non-scratch sponge, then rinse with hot water. Your stainless steel should look brand new and completely food-safe.

Alternative Methods (2-3 backup methods)

Sometimes the standard oil method doesn't cut it, especially if the tar has been baked onto the bowl by years of friction and heat. Here are three backup methods I've tested on my own equipment.

Method 1: The Freezer Technique

Place the entire 5-quart bowl into your chest freezer for exactly four hours. The extreme cold causes the tar to contract and become incredibly brittle. Once you pull it out, use a wooden spoon to tap the hardened tar puck. It will often shatter like glass and pop right out of the bowl. This works best for thick, solid chunks rather than thin smeared layers.

Method 2: Baking Soda and Dish Soap Paste

Mix equal parts baking soda and Dawn dish soap until it forms a thick, gritty paste. Apply this directly to the tar stains and let it sit for 20 minutes. The baking soda acts as a mild, non-scratching abrasive, while the soap cuts through the grease. Scrub with an old toothbrush. This is highly effective for the small crevices around the beater shaft hub.

Method 3: WD-40 (Exterior Only)

If your mixer base is covered in hardened driveway sealant or roofing tar, WD-40 will melt it instantly. Spray it onto a rag and wipe the exterior metal housing. I must stress that you should never use this inside the bowl or on the attachments. The chemical residue is toxic and nearly impossible to wash off completely. Reserve this strictly for the outside painted metal.

Prevention Tips

After hosting a dinner party or finishing a massive baking session, the last thing you want to deal with is a ruined mixer. If you have kids who track mud everywhere, or a spouse who uses the kitchen for DIY projects, set some ground rules.

Buy a Dedicated 'Dirty' Bowl: If you mix concrete dye, epoxy resin, or asphalt patch, buy a cheap $15 stainless steel bowl from a restaurant supply store. Never use your primary baking bowl.
Always Use the Splash Guard: The KitchenAid pouring shield costs about $15 and prevents thick splatters from hitting the motor base and hinge.
Inspect Used Appliances: When buying from a garage sale, plug it in and run it. Smell the motor head. If it smells like a garage or chemicals, walk away.

FAQ

Is it safe to use the mixer for food after removing tar?

Yes, but only if you strictly use food-safe solvents like vegetable oil and hot water on the bowl and attachments. If you used harsh chemicals like mineral spirits or WD-40 on the mixing bowl, you must retire those parts and buy replacements. The exterior base is fine since it never touches your ingredients.

Will tar ruin the non-stick coating on my KitchenAid bowl?

Tar itself won't eat through the ceramic or Teflon non-stick coatings found on some newer bowls. However, aggressively scraping it with metal tools will definitely cause permanent scratching. Always use silicone or plastic scrapers to protect that expensive finish.

Can I put the tar-covered bowl in the dishwasher?

Absolutely not, as the high heat will bake the petroleum residue into the bowl and permanently ruin your dishwasher's interior. The tar will melt, coat the spray arms, and transfer onto your clean dishes. Always remove the bulk of the stain by hand before running any appliance parts through a wash cycle.

What if the tar is inside the mixer's motor head gears?

If tar has seeped into the actual gear housing of the motor head, you cannot safely clean it yourself without voiding the warranty. I recommend taking it to an authorized KitchenAid repair center, as they will need to open the casing and replace the grease. Don't try to spray solvents into the vents, as this will destroy the motor.