Properly Sizing Your New Commercial Mixer
A standard piece of equipment in many commercial kitchens, there are several types of commercial mixers to choose from: planetary, spiral, countertop, and floor models. The right commercial mixer aids you in creating doughs, batters, condiments, or sauces, but investing in the wrong model can wreak havoc on your budget, operational efficiency, and product quality.
To purchase a properly sized mixer for your establishment, you need to consider your densest dough, the biggest batch of product you'll need to mix, and how often you'll be using this mixer. It may be worth the extra cost to buy a slightly larger mixer than you may think you'll need, as the money spent continually repairing an overworked model can add up over time.
Countertop Mixers
The smallest commercial mixers, also called bench mixers, these machines are designed to be placed on a countertop, work table, or special mixer table. These are planetary mixers, meaning agitators spin on their axis as the mixer hub rotates around the circumference of the bowl – much like a planet spins on its axis while orbiting the sun. A wide range of interchangeable agitators, including mixing paddles, wire whips, and dough hooks, make these mixers great for general applications like preparing house-made ranch or mixing pancake batter.
5-, 7-, and 8-qt. Mixers
Compact enough to fit into extra space you have on your countertop, a smaller mixer with a capacity under 10 quarts is suitable for preparing whipped cream or sauce, fewer than 5 pounds of mashed potatoes, and a few quarts of thinner batters like those designed for making cakes, waffles, and pancakes. These have motors between 1⁄3 and 1⁄2 horsepower, which will be able to handle a few pounds of dough for a few minutes at a time. Don't expect to rely on one of these smaller mixers if you'll be using it daily to prepare dense doughs, like those for bread and dumplings, as those jobs are best handled by a larger mixer with a more powerful motor.
10- to 25-qt. Mixers
Like their smaller counterparts, these 10-quart mixers are best suited to prepare lighter mixtures, such as 5 to 10 quarts of waffle batter, 21⁄2 quarts of whipped cream, a quart of egg whites, and as many as 10 pounds of mashed potatoes. They can typically handle approximately 5 pounds of bread or pizza dough.
A 20-quart mixer size should work well for medium-sized operations using the mixer for batches of up to 25 pounds of bread dough or 20 pounds of pizza dough. Their ½ to ¾ horsepower motors give these units plenty of power to handle these less demanding settings.
Floor Mixers
Aptly named, floor mixers rest on the floor of your kitchen, with some models standing taller than 5 feet. They're usually built with wide, open bases that steady them as they mix hundreds of pounds of dough throughout the day. They also elevate the unit for easy cleaning underneath, while many accommodate bowl trucks or dollies to help you wheel full, heavy bowls into place. The largest ones typically include powered bowl lifts to minimize the strain on your employees.
In this category you'll find some spiral mixers in addition to planetary mixers. Spiral mixers differ in that the agitator spins in place while the bowl is rotated to create a more even mixture, which lends itself well to denser products like dough and thick batters.
30- to 50-qt. Mixers
These mid-range mixers fit best in medium-to-high volume restaurants, pizzerias, and bakeries. Towards the lower end, 30-quart mixers with 3-horsepower motors can satisfy high-volume general purpose needs, while the 5-horsepower motors of 40- and 50-quart mixers provide the power needed to handle medium volumes of denser dough.
60-qt. Capacities or More
A 60-quart mixer or larger model is necessary only for establishments putting out the highest volumes of dough. The largest planetary mixers are found in this space. These are designed for pizzerias, bakeries, and other establishments that base their menu around foods made from the densest doughs. These mixers feature large motors, some as powerful as 5 horsepower, which can withstand the constant, heavy use needed to keep up with the demand.
If your operation requires a mixer of this size, it's imperative you have the proper tools to handle these large volumes safely and efficiently. Models with hydraulic lifts are a solid option for dealing with hundreds of pounds of dough, as those units hoist and tilt the bowl, so you can empty your mixture onto a worktable to begin the next step in the process.
At this range and above, the choice between a planetary and spiral mixer becomes increasingly important. For cake batter and other lighter applications, a planetary mixer allows you to interchange attachments, such as whisks for cream and beaters for batter. However, if you're working bread, pizza, or bagel dough in high quantities, a spiral mixer is the better choice. These units primarily come with a dough hook to continuously churn out dense doughs.
Problems with Insufficient Capacity & Power
An incorrectly sized mixer will lead to problems in the kitchen. These range from minor annoyances to serious issues, including ruined foods and broken equipment. Here are a few of the common problems that can arise:
- Product Damage: If the mixing bowl is too small, ingredients can spill out during mixing, but if it's too large, the agitator may not adequately blend all the ingredients. A mixer without enough power can overheat, which can start the proofing process before you're ready. Residual heat can also cause meringues and whipped cream to fail. The sporadic speeds of an overworked mixer also won't work dough or batter well enough to completely incorporate the ingredients.
- Machine Damage: Constantly working dense dough in a machine not rated to handle it will invariably cause the motor to overheat, permanently damaging gears, belts, and other internal mechanisms. While many models have a feature that automatically powers the unit down if it gets too hot, the repeated stress can still lead to frequent repairs or even frequent replacements.
- Warranty Issues: As with any major purchase, check with the manufacturer for warranty details. Many companies offer at least a 1-year warranty, while some offer additional coverage on specific parts. Make sure you refer to the manufacturer's website or the unit literature for stipulations related to those policies. Failing to comply with capacity limits or neglecting to use the proper agitator or speed for the job may void any warranty the manufacturer offers. One way to ensure compliance is by purchasing the appropriately sized mixer for your product volume and product type.
