How to choose a mixing machine? 

Restaurants, bakeries and patisseries prepare huge quantities of food every day. Professional kitchen equipment speeds up the work. We suggest how to choose a mixing machine for the HoReCa industry. 

Mixing machine capacity 

Every catering establishment has different needs. A small start-up business does not usually enjoy the same high occupancy rate as an iconic celebrity chef's restaurant. For this reason, the equipment, size and power of the kitchen equipment should always be chosen according to what capacity the establishment is operating at. Equipment that is too large in a small restaurant will generate high costs, and this could prove disastrous for a fledgling business. 

Mixing machines come in a variety of capacities, so you can choose the optimum model for your premises. A 42L mixing machine will be ideal for large businesses to mix large volumes of dough, stuffing or cream. Smaller restaurants will only need equipment with a smaller capacity, which won't draw as much electricity and will definitely better meet the needs of a small establishment. 

More is not always better, which is why it is not a good idea to buy an appliance "excessively". It is a better idea to adapt the equipment to the current needs of your establishment and, over time, as your restaurant grows, replace the mixing machine with a larger one. In this way, you will avoid unnecessary expenses and your restaurant running costs will not be inflated. 

The functions of the mixing machine 

Depending on the characteristics and needs of the catering establishment, the mixing machine should have different functions. If it is to be part of a bakery equipment, it must primarily mix and knead the dough. It will therefore be most important to have an attachment dedicated to this purpose. In a restaurant, in addition to making dough, the mixing machine should also be able to mix stuffing, mousses and other ingredients. In the case of pastry shops, the task of the mixing machine also includes whipping cream and egg whites. For this reason, mixers with interchangeable attachments are best suited to these types of catering establishments. 

The speed control of the mixing machine can also be an important feature. A scale of several stages can make many tasks in the kitchen easier and faster. It can also help to better adapt the mode to the product. Some creams need gentle, slow mixing. Doughs, on the other hand, require more intensive kneading. With a speed-controlled appliance, you can treat individual ingredients better and in an individualised way. 

A very useful, but not necessarily essential, gadget in a mixing machine is the timer, which makes it unnecessary to keep an eye on the machine while it is running. The timer means that the mixing machine can operate completely on its own, without the risk of "over-whipping" the egg whites or turning off the cream. 

Mixing machine or planetary mixer? 

On the surface, a planetary mixer and a mixing machine do virtually the same job. But what are the differences between the two and when is it better to choose a planetary mixer or a mixing machine? The main difference is, of course, size and capacity. Mixing machines come in sizes at least twice as large as planetary mixers. In catering establishments that bake a lot of their own products, a mixing machine is practically indispensable. Kneading large volumes of dough by hand is extremely tiring and very time-consuming. With the right equipment, cooking can be much faster, more convenient and more enjoyable. 

A planetary mixer is much smaller. The standard capacity of the bowl of such a robot is 5 litres. However, this does not mean that it is only suitable for home use. In really small HoReCa businesses, where every square centimetre of space is at a premium, the mixing machine may prove to be too large. A planetary mixer also consumes much less energy, so electricity bills can be much lower compared to those generated by a mixer. A definite downside, however, is the small capacity of the bowl, making the robot unable to cope with large volumes of products. However, if sweet or salty baked goods are not a speciality of your establishment and there are not many dishes on the menu that require the use of a machine, the planetary mixer will be a more economical alternative to the mixing machine. 

Every catering establishment has different specifications and needs. Its equipment should depend on how popular the restaurant is, what cuisine it specialises in and what dishes are on the menu. The kitchen equipment should be tailored as much as possible to the premises so that it does not generate or inflate costs and so that it can best perform the tasks for which it is intended. When choosing a mixing machine, consider the aspects outlined above and think about all the uses that this type of appliance will have in your restaurant. In this way, you will choose the best model for your business. 

If you have doubts and need help in making a decision, you can ask our experts for advice. Feel free to contact us and shop at merXu.