Product review (3 stars): yucky black film when washed in dishwasher
I'm still not sure why it happens, but when this is washed in the dishwasher, after it drys, a black graphite like substance has to be wiped off with a paper towel. This is not a minor little wipe-off. It's as if a thin layer of paint is coming off, but it's not painted. Very disturbing. I cannot find one that is enameled that fits my model of Kitchenaid, but I highly recommend that, if possible, one purchase an enameled hook. As for the functioning of the hook in the dough, I think it does a superior job with yeast bread once it forms into a dough, but it doesn't actually serve as anything like a mixer. It's just a kneader.