Bakers provide a variety of fresh pastries, bread, cakes, biscuits, muffins, and pizza crusts, all types of delicious flour-based goods while chefs produce large quantities of batters, sauces and other mixes. A reliable commercial mixer is essential for creating top-quality products. Selecting a suitable mixer is as crucial as choosing the perfect ingredients.
A durable commercial mixer suitable for the level of production demand enhances productivity and efficiency while reducing expenses on maintenance and repairs as well as lightening the load of manual intervention. Chefs and bakers should consider the food types they'll prepare, the consistency of dough or batter, and the volume and weight of ingredients to determine the right mixer size.
If the mixer is used for other purposes, like sauces or spreads, you may need to consider a machine with additional functions.
Planetary and spiral mixers are the most common commercial mixers. Understanding their differences is vital for choosing the best one for your kitchen. Planetary mixers offer versatility and powerful kneading, while spiral mixers are ideal for mixing artisan and airy dough.
Consider the specifications before choosing a suitable commercial food mixer for your business.
What Are Spiral Mixers?
Spiral mixers are specialised dough mixers that use a single spiral mixing arm. Available as countertop or floor standing models depending on the size and mixing capacity and with fixed or removable bowls, there are plenty of choices to meet the demands of every size kitchen. These professional bakery mixers have two motors: one for the bowl and the other for the mixing arm. The bowl and mixing arm rotate independently, allowing you to combine ingredients evenly while avoiding over mixing.
The dual-motor design helps knead the dough at a lower temperature, which is ideal for creating light and airy pastries. Such mixers are suitable for pizza dough, croissants, and other pastries. The type of dough hook dictates how the mixture is processed.
What Are Planetary Mixers?
In contrast, to spiral dough mixers, planetary mixers have a single motor. Again, these mixers have countertop and floor standing models with fixed and removable bowl options. The bowl is static, while the arm rotates and revolves around the bowl for thorough kneading. Planetary mixers with dough hooks mix wet and dry ingredients, making them perfect for producing cakes, meringues, frostings, batters, and sauces.
The resulting dough is firmer and more robust since planetary dough mixers operate at higher temperatures than spiral mixers. Manufacturers design these mixers to work with thicker, denser doughs.
How Do You Know When To Use a Planetary Or Spiral Mixer?
The main difference between planetary and spiral dough mixers is that planetary mixers knead the dough at higher temperatures and have a static bowl, while spiral mixers work at lower temperatures with the bowl and mixing arm rotating independently.
Choose the spiral mixer if you're producing artisan bread and pastries that require a light, airy texture. Select a planetary dough mixer for a firmer consistency if your business needs to create thicker dough or batters.
No matter which type of commercial food mixer you choose, follow industry guidelines when operating it. They provide a safe and easy way to achieve professional-level results.
Commercial food mixers we believe have the edge over others are as follows:
ChefQuip IM-18C / IM-18S Spiral Mixer
⦁ 18kg capacity, 22 litre stainless steel bowl, spiral and rod as standard.
⦁ 1hp motor.
⦁ Option of fixed bowl or removable bowl with lifting head.
⦁ 20-minute production cycle for pizza dough.
⦁ Scratch-resistant finish for easy cleaning and longevity.
⦁ Low voltage controls and safety microswitch on bowl cover.
The 18kg capacity makes the ChefQuip IM-18 one of the best spiral mixers for mid-size operations.
ChefQuip IM-38 Spiral Mixer
⦁ 38kg capacity, 42 litre stainless steel bowl, spiral and rod as standard.
⦁ 2hp motor.
⦁ 20-minute production cycle for pizza dough.
⦁ Option of fixed bowl or lifting head with removable bowl.
⦁ Scratch-resistant finish for easy cleaning and longevity.
⦁ Low voltage controls and microswitch on bowl cover.
The IM-38 Spiral Dough Mixer is an excellent choice for a more extensive food business with larger mixing demands.
As for planetary mixers, the following is perfect for medium-sized and large catering businesses:
ChefQuip SP100-HA Planetary Mixer
⦁ Offers an impressive 10-litre capacity bowl.
⦁ A powerful 0.33hp motor, three or four speed gearbox.
⦁ Safety Microswitch and interlocking bowl guard.
⦁ A bowl-lift feature for stability.
⦁ Includes dough hook, flat beater and whisk attachments.
⦁ Emergency stop button.
The ChefQuip SP100-HA Planetary Mixer makes light work of any heavy duty task.
We offer a wide range of commercial stand mixers to suit any kitchen size or budget so that you can find the perfect one for your business needs. For more information about commercial mixers – spiral, planetary and mixers with dough hooks contact us today to learn more about our range!
