Spindle Mixer

Spindle Mixers: What You Need to Know

A spindle mixer, also called a commercial drink mixer or spindle blender, stirs frozen desserts with the flip of a switch. These units are optimal for mixing various flavors of milkshakes and beverages. Spindle drink mixers are available for countertop placement or wall mounting, and many of their components can be removed to facilitate cleaning. Mixing anything from hard candy to chunks of fruit, commercial drink mixers simplify the process of blending solid ingredients into soft and hard ice cream, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and more. To accommodate varying product consistencies, some spindle blenders come with multiple removable agitators.

Commercial drink mixers are designed with one to three spindles. Single-spindle units are best for operations with minimal employees and low traffic, while spindle blenders with three spindles are ideal for large, high-volume operations. Some units run automatically to free up employees to complete other tasks as product is mixed. To accommodate different consistencies and thicknesses, many spindle drink mixers are designed with multiple speeds. Additionally, these units are suitable for applications beyond blending desserts and beverages, such as mixing pancake batter and beating eggs.

Common Questions About Spindle Mixers

How do you use a commercial drink mixer to make milkshakes?

The first step to making milkshakes with a spindle blender is filling the cup with wet ingredients. Step two depends on the type of machine. Some spindle drink mixers have heads you have to tilt back, while others require you to simply slide the cup of ingredients beneath the spindle. No matter the configuration, the spindle and blade should be completely submerged in the cup's contents, and the blade should never be started before complete submersion. Some commercial drink mixers won't even start until the cup is properly in place. If the unit is operated manually, you'll need to move the cup up and down while blending to ensure the ingredients are evenly blended together and add necessary air and froth to the mix. The blade must remain fully submerged in the ingredients throughout movement. If the spindle blender operates automatically, it will stop on its own when the milkshake is fully blended, leaving you free to complete other tasks.

What's the best way to clean a spindle drink mixer?

Commercial drink mixers should be cleaned after each use. The spindle and blade can be cleaned by filling a cup with soapy, warm water and switching the unit on while the blade is submerged. Check the machine's manual to determine which spindle blender parts are safe in commercial dishmachines; many components can be removed to facilitate cleaning. Stationary parts can be rinsed and wiped down with a damp sponge or wet towel.

Which spindle drink mixer agitator is best for what ingredients?

The harder the ingredients you're mixing, the more durable your commercial drink mixer's agitator will have to be. Lightweight agitators are suitable for products such as soft ice cream, while standard agitators are best for medium-duty ingredients, such as hard ice cream, frozen alcoholic beverages, and dense smoothies. If you'll be mixing in hard ingredients, you'll need a heavy-duty agitator to make sure they're thoroughly distributed.