Buying a commercial mixer is a big decision, not just for the money you are likely to pay, but also because of the uses you might have planned for it. Several considerations should always be taken into account, not the least of which is the reason you are actually researching mixers and their intended use. This buying guide will take you through some of the items worth considering before you head out to purchase the first mixer that catches your eye.
Types of Mixers
Planetary Mixer
These mixers can mix, chop, and blend, making them perfect for processing large amounts on a daily basis. The mixing bowl remains fixed while the beater moves via an offset shaft, resulting in the name ‘planetary’ – as in planets rotating around the sun. These mixers can be used for smaller quantities by using a smaller bowl. While they are known for their versatility, precision is not one of their strong points. They can also handle a variety of attachments, such as a vegetable slicer, a grater/shredder, and a meat chopper/grinder.
Spiral
This type of mixer is ideal for mixing large batches of dough and features a fixed spiral beater that rotates around the bowl. It can mix large volumes of dough, is generally more precise than the planetary mixer, and doesn’t require bowl changes for smaller batches. It also doesn’t have the capacity for attachments, which can be used with a planetary mixer.
Vertical Cutter
Vertical cutter mixers are industrial-sized versions of a food processor. These mixers can be used for kneading, chopping, blending, emulsifying, and, of course, mixing. Although the vertical cutter is very versatile, it has some disadvantages; it can be very loud and somewhat difficult to clean. Most people agree that it doesn't produce as good a dough as a planetary or spiral mixer.
Buying the Correct Size Mixer
The bowl primarily determines the size of the mixer, and numerous considerations must be taken into account when selecting the bowl size. There are three types of mixers related to bowl size.
Countertop mixers are generally 5 – 8 quarts and look similar to a domestic mixer
Bench mixers will accommodate 10 – 24 quarts and while significantly larger than a countertop mixer, is still able to sit on a strong, stable work surface, such as a work table.
Floor mixers are the largest and most common commercial mixers and have a 30-80 quart capacity. As the name suggests, they sit on the floor.
What to Consider When Buying a Mixer
Leave yourself the extra capacity
This is an important consideration when deciding on what size mixer to purchase and the reason for this is because of ingredient expansion during the mixing process. If the bowl size is too small to accommodate ingredient expansion, the result will be an overflow. You will need to calculate the absorption ratio by dividing water weight by the flour rate. Batch size can be influenced by flour protein content, water temperature, amount of water and oil in the dough.
Additionally, capacity should also be considered from a business perspective. Your business will likely grow and a smaller capacity mixer will need to work harder to meet future demand, possibly damaging the motor in the process when it has to work harder than it was meant to. This is directly related to capacity and the rule of thumb is to calculate the absorption rate before buying the mixer. If the absorption rate is low, the dough will be stiff to mix and a more powerful mixer will work best without straining the motor. It may be necessary for you to purchase more than one mixer depending on what you will be mixing. While this might seem initially more expensive, long-term planning will save you money by not burning out the motor of a smaller-than-required mixer.
Stand Mixers
Product Image | Model | Warranty | Rating | More Information | Our Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | KitchenAid KSMC8950B | 2 Years | |||
 | KitchenAid Pro 600 | 1 Year | |||
 | KitchenAid KSM8990 | 1 Year | |||
 | Breville BEM800XL | 1 Year |
Mixer Usage
Quantities and the purpose of your business are closely related. A bakery or pizza business is likely to need a large-capacity mixer while a small restaurant will not. Carefully examining the tasks the mixer will need to perform is essential if you want to find the best value for money. For example, a small restaurant will benefit from a 5- to 20–quart planetary mixer due to the versatility offered by the extra attachments. A bakery, on the other hand, would benefit from a large-capacity spiral mixer, possibly a floor mixer.
Mixer attachments
Not to be confused with the additional attachments available for the planetary mixer, commercial mixers come with standard attachments as outlined below:
Mixing bowl of relevant size
Dough hook - which is spiral-shaped and designed for kneading and mixing doughs with a yeast base
Flat beater - shaped like a paddle and ideal for mixing various batters, icings for cakes and mashing potatoes and/or vegetables
Wire whip - a more powerful version of the traditional hand-held whip used for whipping up creams, frostings and meringue
Pastry knife - is a thin dough hook and perfect for light dough such as pie crusts where shortening needs to be mixed into flour
Bowl scraper - does exactly as the name suggests and scrapes down the sides of the bowl while the agitator turns. It will save time by not having to do tasks manually - wasting ingredients not being conducive to good business management.
Mixer table - is a standard attachment, but can provide stability for countertop mixers. They are available with castors so you can move your mixer around to suit the task at hand.
Mixer Speeds
To achieve peak performance from your mixer, it is essential to understand how it performs at different speeds for various tasks. The mixer manual should outline these for you. One of the most important considerations regarding mixer speeds is whether you can adjust the speed while the mixer is in operation. It will save you time if you don’t need to stop and start every time you need to change speed. Before purchasing your mixer, you should find out if your mixer of choice is equipped to do this, or if the unit requires being shut down every time to prevent motor damage.
Bowl Lift
Another factor worth considering before purchase is the method by which your mixer’s bowl attaches and detaches from the mixer. The choices are electric and manual and you should decide which is going to be the best fit for your requirements.
Manual Bowl Lift - is as the name suggests and with the bowl or the mixer, the head can be released by way of a lever or wheel. Planetary mixers typically have the tilt head feature.
Electric Bowl Lift - This is an automatic process undertaken by pressing a button or some type of electronic interface. It is commonly used for large mixers that typically have large mixer bowls.
Maintenance
This is important to ensure the longevity of your mixer. It goes hand in hand with selecting a mixer of the correct capacity for the intended usage. You should never overload your mixer if you expect it to last you a long time. A small bargain mixer will not be a bargain if it burns out and requires replacement due to your usage not being suitable for its intended purpose. Your mixer can do a lot of work for you, so it makes sense to look after it and not overload it.
Cleaning
Every time you use the mixer, you must thoroughly clean the mixer bowl, shaft, and any attachments used during the process. Other parts of the mixer should be cleaned regularly, such as once a week. It’s best to use soapy water along with a brush or soft rag. TIP: Avoid using abrasive cleaners to maintain your mixer's appearance over time.
Lubricating Mixer Tips
Moving parts on the mixer need to be lubricated on a regular basis. Consult the mixer manual for your particular model to determine the frequency and location of the parts that require lubrication. It is essential to use food-grade lubricant, especially on the mixer shaft, as it will likely come into contact with your food product.
As you can see, there are numerous factors to consider before purchasing a commercial mixer. Hopefully, this guide has laid out the groundwork to help you navigate the most important items, allowing you to purchase your mixer with confidence, knowing it will perform as expected and fulfill the tasks required for your business.
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