Commercial mixers are indispensable for any operation that handles pizza dough, bread dough, cake batter, whipped cream, mashed potatoes, or certain meat products. If your company is exploring commercial mixers, you’ll quickly find that there are many options out there.
While it’s great to have choices, finding something that’s specifically designed to support your operations can be difficult. If your mixing equipment is too small, you’ll run into bottlenecks. Similarly, if you purchase something that doesn’t fit your needs or lacks the right accessories, you’ll end up paying more in secondary equipment costs.
Here are some tips for choosing the right commercial mixer for your business so you can avoid these headaches.
Assess Your Production Volume: How Much Will Your Commercial Mixers Handle?
Start by considering how much product you run each day. Calculate the number of pounds you process in a typical shift, then break that down into batch sizes. Are you looking for commercial mixers to maintain that output level, or do you want to scale up?
Undersizing commercial floor mixers slows production and overworks your equipment. Conversely, oversizing can increase your utility costs and take up too much space on the factory floor. Matching the capacity of your commercial mixers to your output goals is therefore essential.
Consider the Ingredients: Are You Mixing Pizza Dough, Batter, or Protein?
Not every ingredient behaves the same way during mixing. Make a list of ingredients you’ll be agitating with your heavy-duty machine, such as:
- Pizza dough
- Cookie dough
- Bread dough
- Egg whites
- Batters
- Pastries
- Proteins
- Sauces
- Heavier doughs or food products
If your facility handles a wide range of food products, flexibility is non-negotiable. With that in mind, you’ll need to consider the type of mixer and the attachments it comes with.
For example, planetary mixers are versatile enough for kneading dough and whipping various ingredients. Selecting a machine with lots of attachments, such as a flat beater and wire whip, will also help you get more out of your investment.
Evaluate Batch Size vs. Continuous Production
Some facilities operate on a batch-by-batch schedule, while others rely on continuous production. A batch mixer can allow you to create precise amounts of product with controlled ingredients. These tend to be perfect for bakeries, restaurants, and commercial kitchens.
If you’re looking to maximize production of a few core items, a larger mixer may be the better choice. That way, you can get the job done faster and pump out more product each day. Cutting down on handling time can also promote food safety.
Account for Your Available Floor Space
Consider how the mixer will integrate into your workspace. The footprint must fit comfortably within your facility’s layout while allowing room for mixing, sanitation, and maintenance.
While you’ll likely have to make minor adjustments to the layout of your commercial space, you don’t want to force yourself into a total overhaul. That’s a timely (and costly) job that will disrupt your operations for days.
Factor in the Sanitation and Cleaning of Your Commercial Dough Mixers
Food safety is one of the foremost concerns in restaurants, bakeries, and mixing facilities. When customers buy your products, they expect them to be prepared in a sanitary environment. Even a small slip-up can have lasting consequences for your business.
As such, you should prioritize equipment that’s easy to disassemble and clean. For example, stainless steel dough mixers are a cinch to maintain even in high-volume production environments.
Choose a Heavy-Duty Design
A heavy-duty dough mixer will hold up well to continual kneading, mixing, and agitation. These units can handle a diverse array of food products, including:
- Doughs
- Sauces
- Batters
- Pastries
- Proteins
- Pizza dough
Commercial planetary mixers are engineered to complete each task with efficiency while achieving the ideal absorption ratio. Consequently, your commercial processing facility will have the capacity to meet client demands and produce enough units each day.
Plan for the Future
Commercial dough mixers are a major investment, so you shouldn’t just consider your current needs. Instead, think about the output demands of your restaurant or commercial facility over the next three to five years.
Are the commercial dough mixers you’re considering capable of growing with you? Do they have the power and durability needed to stand the test of time?
Ultimately, you should choose a model that suits your commercial facility today while leaving room to take on new challenges in the future.
Explore FPEC’s Commercial Floor Mixers
Sourcing a commercial dough mixer or protein mixer for your restaurant or commercial space can be tough. The good news is you don’t have to go about it alone.
The industry experts at FPEC understand the challenges your restaurant, in-house production facility, or bakery faces. Our commercial dough mixers have the power to take on a multitude of tasks with ease.
Our clients turn to us when they want the best dough mixers on the market and need assistance choosing the right equipment for their operation. FPEC proudly provides world-class planetary and dough mixers, along with reliable expert guidance.
Contact us today to learn more about the power of our mixers and start your order.