Best Commercial Mixers for Small Bakeries

A commercial mixer is one of the most important and versatile pieces of restaurant equipment you can purchase for your small bakery. With the right commercial mixer, you can prepare all the trending bakery offerings that bring back repeat customers in droves. Shopping for a mixer deserves the same attention to detail as shopping for an oven. The commercial mixer models available on the market today have a host of accessories and advanced features to help streamline the baking process. The different types and various accessories are sure to overwhelm you at the outset. To make your selection process easier, we have prepared a brief guide to choosing the best commercial mixer for your small bakery.

Performance

A commercial mixer must handle continuous use. Buying a standard mixer and putting it in a commercial kitchen is not a viable option. Standard mixers are made with home bakers in mind, the majority of which use their machine only once or twice a week. Not only will a commercial mixer be used more than a standard one, but it needs to deal with a much higher volume, which can cause strain on a machine not built for the load.

Which Type of Mixer Suits Your Bakery the Best?

There are three main categories of mixers available:

• Planetary/vertical mixer
• Horizontal mixer
• Dough /Spiral mixer

Planetary Mixer

As the name implies, this mixer mimics planetary or orbital movement. The mixing rod moves inside a stationary mixing bowl. An agitator activates the rod, helping mix all kinds of dough, meringue, icing and pudding mixtures. Depending on the amount of mixing needed, you can choose a smaller or larger mixing bowl. This mixer also has attachments that help to perform a variety of tasks such as chopping, whipping and slicing, as well as different sized bowls. Replacement parts are easy to find too.

Dough/Spiral Mixers

In this mixer, the bowl does all the work while the spiral agitator shaft or rod remains stationary. The main advantage of this type of mixer is that you can easily and quickly mix huge batches of dough. The spiral model offers minimal resistance, leading to better temperature control, rising and kneading. On the downside, this mixer is not capable of whipping, only mixing.

Horizontal Mixers

In this model, the bowl tilts while the dough is mixed. The mixing shaft or beaters are placed horizontally as a single unit. The blade speed dictates the stretching and cutting of the dough. This model has three different types which include:

• Double sigma — for cake, granola, muffins, scones, energy bars and cookies.
• Single sigma — suitable for making crackers, biscuits, corn tortillas and cookies.
• Mixer with three roller bars — enables proper gluten layer formation.

Although this is a powerful model more suited for larger establishments, it may be one you consider as your business grows. The larger unit kneads the dough more efficiently and reduces heat buildup.

Important Features to Look For

Size of Mixer

For models 10-quart size or less, the countertop mixer is an ideal choice. For quantities above 10 quarts, you need a separate equipment stand. The larger-sized floor mixers are generally stand-alone types.

Speed of Mixer

The speed of the mixer refers to the rate at which the mixing shaft or bowl rotates. The manufacturer’s instructions will help you determine the optimal speed setting for different types of baking. In the case of planetary mixers, the speed differs according to the attachment being used. Some models allow you to change the speed while in operation. However, most models require you to switch off the system before changing the speed.

Drive System

There are two types of drive systems: belt- and gear-driven. Belt-driven models are less expensive to replace but rotate at slower speeds than gear-driven models, due to insufficient grip of the belt to the drive system. A gear-driven model is much quicker.

Bowl Lifts

In planetary mixers, the bowl can be lifted manually using a lever, wheel or buttons. This helps to place and remove the bowl from the machine.

Bowl Guard

This is a wire or plastic housing that prevents clothing, foreign objects and hands from touching the agitator.

Final Verdict

If you need one mixer to accommodate all your baking needs — including cake batter, whipped cream, egg whites and pizza dough — a standard commercial mixer like those from Hobart is ideal.