When you need a mixer for your restaurant, what features should you look for? In this guide, we are going to discuss sizing, bowl features, and motor specifics, that will help give you a better understanding of what is important in your buying decision. With the right information, you can buy the right mixer the first go round. No matter if you operate a bakery, pizza shop or a full service restaurant establishment that offers a variety of menu options it is important to identify your unique needs.
How to Easily Access Your Needs
Some important considerations when accessing your mixer needs include:
- How much product you will be preparing
- What types of dough/batter you will be mixing (to help you determine whether you need a spiral mixer or planetary mixer, or both)
- How often you will be mixing (to determine the need for standard duty, medium duty or heavy duty mixer)
Bowl Size
Mixer bowls come in all sizes from 5 to over 300 quarts. Anything larger than 20 quarts will need to be placed on the floor or an equipment stand, so it is important to access how large your batches will be when deciding on your mixer purchase. Floor models come equipped with bowls between 20 to over 100 quarts.
Mixers can come in bowl-lift design and tilt-head. A bowl-lift mixer uses a mechanism in which the bowl is lifted up to meet the beaters. A tilt-head mixer comes equipped with a bowl that is attached to the base and the head lifts back giving access to the bowl and the beater. Both are easy to use, however, tilt-head stand mixer is best used for single batches, and are available in capacities up to 5 quarts with the option of a glass bowl.
Floor vs. counter models
Since counter top mixers are smaller, these options are great for establishments that only require small batches of products. Small batches of product can range from making loaves of bread, whipping batter or eggs. An establishment that operates as a high volume bakery or pizzeria can require a floor unit to meet production needs.
Motor Size
The motor of your mixer will help make your work load more manageable. But you should also be aware that thick, heavy sauces, batter and the like will wear out a motor that is too small for your needs. So if you operate a pizzeria, for example, you will need to invest in a powerful motor to suit those high demands. Another thing to consider is that when choosing the watts of your motor; understand that the wattage indicates is the power consumed by the mixer, not the power produced by the motor. And therefore, there could be very little difference in performance between a 500 vs. 800 watt motor.
Mixer Masterpiece!
With the knowledge of what to consider during your decision making process, you can determine what type of mixer you need for your meat grinding, dough whipping, or cake batter needs. You have the tools needed to purchase the perfect mixer for your restaurant. For more information, or for questions related to choosing the right mixer for your needs, call 404-752-6715 and one of our friendly sales reps will be happy to help make your purchasing decision easy!