KitchenAid Spiralizer KSM2APC vs. KSM1APC: What's the difference?

Discover the differences between KitchenAid Spiralizer KSM2APC and KSM1APC. Learn which suits your kitchen needs with varied blade options and storage.
Written by:
Spencer Lanoue

The KitchenAid Spiralizer Plus KSM2APC and the standard KSM1APC Spiralizer are both designed to transform your stand mixer into a powerful vegetable prep tool, but they differ in blade options and storage. The KSM2APC is the premium "Plus" version, including more blades for finer cuts and its own dedicated storage case, while the standard KSM1APC offers the essential peeling, coring, and spiraling functions in a more streamlined package.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which KitchenAid spiralizer attachment is the right fit for your kitchen.

KitchenAid Spiralizer Plus Attachment (KSM2APC)

The KSM2APC, often called the Spiralizer "Plus," is KitchenAid's feature-rich, all-inclusive attachment for avid home cooks. It expands on the core functions of spiralizing by offering the most blade options and solves storage issues with a convenient, custom-fitted case, making it the complete package for anyone serious about creative vegetable prep.

  • What it is: A premium, multi-function stand mixer attachment designed to peel, core, slice, and spiralize a wide variety of firm fruits and vegetables.
  • Key features: Comes with seven different stainless steel blades for tasks like fine and medium spiraling, "angel hair" noodles, peeling, and slicing apples or potatoes. Includes its own organized, hard-shell storage case that holds the main attachment and all blades securely.
  • Price: Around $70 - $90, subject to retailer promotions.
  • Materials/Construction: The main attachment is built with durable premium metal and BPA-free plastic for a sturdy feel. All blades are stainless steel for lasting sharpness.
  • Pros: Most versatile option with the most blades, included storage case keeps everything organized and protected, excellent for everything from apple pies to zucchini pasta, durable metal construction.
  • Cons: Higher price point compared to the standard model, the storage case is convenient but takes up more cupboard space than just the blades themselves.

This attachment is ideal for the dedicated home cook who values organization and wants the maximum number of blade options for creative and varied meal prep.

Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/spiralizer-plus-attachment-with-peel,-core-and-slice.ksm2apc

KitchenAid 5 Blade Spiralizer Attachment (KSM1APC)

The KSM1APC is KitchenAid's standard spiralizer attachment and is a kitchen workhorse in its own right. It provides all the popular, essential functions like peeling, coring, and making vegetable spirals without the extra cost of the premium blades or storage case, making it a powerful and accessible choice for most users.

  • What it is: A highly capable stand mixer attachment that spiralizes, peels, cores, and slices firm fruits and vegetables with five interchangeable blades.
  • Key features: Includes five essential stainless steel blades: a peeling blade, fine and medium spiralizing blades, and two slicing blades (large and small core). All blades perform the most common vegetable prep tasks.
  • Price: Typically priced between $40 - $55, making it a very budget-friendly option.
  • Materials/Construction: Features the same high-quality, durable metal main body and BPA-free plastics as the KSM2APC, with sharp stainless steel blades.
  • Pros: Excellent value for the price, performs all essential tasks beautifully, compact individual parts are easier to tuck into a drawer, same durable build quality as the premium model.
  • Cons: Does not come with a dedicated storage case, so you'll need to store the sharp blades carefully. It lacks the extra fine "angel hair" and wavy slice blades found in the "Plus" kit.

This model is a perfect fit for anyone who wants to make zucchini noodles, peeled apples, or curly fries consistently without paying for extra features they might not use.

Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/spiralizer-attachment.ksm1apc

KSM2APC vs. KSM1APC Comparison

Blades & Versatility

The most significant difference lies in the blades. The KSM2APC takes the lead with seven blades, including everything the KSM1APC has, plus two extras: an extra-fine spiralizing blade (for angel hair veggie pasta) and a thin slicing blade for delicate ribbons. This makes it more versatile for gourmet preparations.

The KSM1APC comes with five highly practical blades. These cover fine and medium spirals (zucchini noodles), two sizes of slices/cores (perfect for baked apples or onion rings), and a peeler. For the majority of everyday cooking and meal prep, these five blades are more than sufficient.

Design & Storage

Both models share an identical core attachment made from durable metal that connects to the stand mixer's power hub. The functional design and setup process are exactly the same. The key design difference is storage. The KSM2APC includes a well-designed, hard-shell case where every blade and the main body has a designated spot. It prevents pieces and parts from getting lost and keeps sharp blades safely stowed.

The KSM1APC does not include a case. While this makes it cheaper, it requires you to find your own storage solution in a drawer or container, which can be less organized and potentially less safe for the sharp blades.

Price & Value

The KSM1APC offers outstanding value. For a relatively low price, you get a powerful, durable attachment that performs the most popular spiralizing and peeling tasks flawlessly. For most users, it hits the sweet spot of performance and cost.

The KSM2APC commands a higher price, but the value is justified for specific users. If you factor in the cost of a good storage container and the two additional, specialized blades, the price premium becomes much more reasonable. The value depends entirely on how much you prize organization and culinary creativity.

Compatibility & Ease of Use

Compatibility is a non-issue. Both the KSM2APC and KSM1APC are designed to fit the power hub on any modern KitchenAid stand mixer. Attaching, operating, and swapping blades on either model is a simple, intuitive process. Cleaning is also identical, the blades and some parts are top-rack dishwasher safe, although hand-washing is often recommended to maintain the blades' sharp edges over time.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both attachments are fantastic additions to a KitchenAid mixer, but they cater to different priorities and cooking styles.

Choose the KSM2APC (Spiralizer Plus) if:

  • You want the full range of cutting options, including ultra-fine angel hair noodles.
  • Organization is a major priority, and the included hard-shell storage case is a key selling point for you.
  • You frequently tackle complex recipes that benefit from varied textures and slices.
  • You want the complete, all-in-one package and are willing to pay a little more for it.

Choose the KSM1APC (5 Blade Spiralizer) if:

  • You are on a budget and want the best performance for the lowest cost.
  • Your main goal is to make standard vegetable noodles, peel potatoes, and slice apples.
  • You already have a system for storing kitchen tools and don’t need a dedicated case.
  • You prefer to buy the core tool now and aren’t concerned about missing the extra two specialty blades.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between the KitchenAid KSM2APC and KSM1APC?

The primary differences are that the KSM2APC includes seven blades (versus five for the KSM1APC) and comes with a custom-fitted storage case. The two extra blades on the KSM2APC are for extra-fine spiralizing ("angel hair") and thin slicing.

Are both spiralizer models compatible with all KitchenAid stand mixers?

Yes, both attachments are designed to work with any KitchenAid stand mixer that features a power hub on the front of the motor head. This includes virtually all modern models.

How many blades come with each model?

The KSM1APC comes with five blades: peeling, fine spiralizing, medium spiralizing, slicing (small core), and slicing (large core). The KSM2APC comes with those same five blades plus two more: an extra-fine spiralizing blade and a thin slicing blade.

Is the KSM2APC worth the extra money?

It depends on your needs. If you value the convenience of the custom storage case and know you will use the extra blades for ultra-fine noodles or preparations, then the additional cost is absolutely justified. If not, the KSM1APC offers better core value.

Can these attachments peel any fruit or vegetable?

They work best with firm fruits and vegetables like apples, potatoes, zucchini, carrots, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes. They are not suitable for soft produce like tomatoes or very narrow produce like asparagus.

Are the attachments easy to clean?

Yes, they are relatively easy to clean. All the stainless steel blades and select plastic parts are top-rack dishwasher safe. The main body of the attachment should be wiped clean with a warm, damp cloth. Hand-washing the blades is often recommended to preserve their sharpness.

Do I need a separate peeler or corer with these?

No. Both the KSM2APC and KSM1APC include an adjustable peeling blade that works simultaneously with the coring/slicing or spiralizing blades, allowing you to peel and spiral in one go.

Can the blades for these spiralizers be sharpened?

The stainless steel blades are designed to hold their sharp edge for a long time under normal use. They are not intended to be sharpened by the user. If a blade becomes dull or damaged, replacement blades can typically be sourced.

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