Mixing Bowls

Restaurant Mixing Bowls: What You Need to Know

When shopping for a commercial mixing bowl, consider the size of the batches and what types of food you will be mixing. Stainless steel mixing bowls are sturdy enough to mix heavy doughs, while glass enables you to easily see how well everything is combining. Some of these industrial mixing bowls are made to fit specific mixers, and some come in matching sets, while others are sold individually. Several different materials are available:

• Stainless steel
• Melamine
• Aluminum
• Glass

Not all establishments will need to buy a dozen aluminum mixing bowls at a time, but those options are available for bakeries or other businesses that go through them quickly. We also carry sets of prep bowls of various sizes, so you can make one purchase and be ready for any volume of material. We'll answer common questions about commercial mixing bowls below to help you find the most cost effective pieces for your business.

Common Questions About Commercial Mixing Bowls

Which material should I choose?

Stainless steel mixing bowls are the most popular choice for high-volume restaurant use, but other materials have their benefits and drawbacks. A large stainless steel bowl will cost more than a plastic or aluminum alternative, but it will stand up to long-term use better, compensating for the additional investment. The vast majority of our selection is stainless mixing bowls for this reason, so you can find any volume and shape you need in this durable and easily cleaned material. Commercial stainless steel mixing bowls also resist corrosion quite well, which means you won't have to replace them due to rust as often as you might with other materials.

Aluminum mixing bowls are the second most common metal option and are lighter than stainless steel. Typically, aluminum mixing bowls are also cheaper than steel mixing bowls. Offsetting these benefits, aluminum mixing bowls are not as sturdy as stainless steel and are more likely to warp, dent, or scratch. Aluminum has also been known to corrode with acidic foods, such as tomatoes or tomato sauce, so if you're going to be working with a lot of highly acidic ingredients, we recommend going with prep bowls made out of something other than aluminum.

Melamine mixing bowls are made from a durable type of plastic that has become incredibly popular for restaurant servingware because it's durable and inexpensive. Melamine mixing bowls are also available in a variety of colors, making them very attractive for such a low-cost option. Melamine has a few drawbacks, though: It isn't as sturdy as metal options and can't be used in cooking as most of them have a maximum temperature of around 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Normally, you won't be cooking in a mixing bowl, so this doesn't impact their usefulness. Like all the other options, melamine is dishwasher safe, making it easy to keep sanitized.

Glass mixing bowls help you see if the ingredients are well and truly mixed from the top of the prep bowl to the bottom. The transparency of a glass mixing bowl enables you to monitor the mixing all the way to the bottom, whereas other materials inhibit your view. Glass is not as durable as metal, but modern glass can still be impact, chip, and shock resistant and is usually dishwasher safe. Consult the individual product specifications page to determine exactly what each glass mixing bowl is rated for.