Knead to Know – choosing between Planetary & Spiral mixers.

Planetary vs. Spiral Mixers: Which is Right for Your Kitchen?

Both planetary and spiral mixers are powerful tools for commercial kitchens, yet they have distinct characteristics and ideal applications. Understanding their differences can help you choose the right mixer for your specific needs.

Planetary Mixers:

Mixing Action: A central mixing arm rotates around the bowl while also spinning on its own axis, creating a “planetary” motion.

Best Suited For:

Mixing batters (cakes, pancakes, muffins)

Whipping cream and egg whites

Kneading light doughs (biscuits, cookies)

Mixing sauces and dressings

Pros:

Versatility: Handles a wide range of tasks with various attachments.

User-friendly: Relatively easy to operate and clean.

Compact: Generally, more compact than spiral mixers.

Cons:

May not be ideal for heavy doughs (bread, pizza).

Can sometimes incorporate too much air into doughs.

Spiral Mixers:

Mixing Action: A single, powerful hook rotates within the bowl, creating a strong shearing and folding action.

Best Suited For:

Kneading heavy doughs (bread, pizza, pasta)

Developing gluten in bread dough

Mixing dense mixtures (meatballs, sausages)

Pros:

Excellent for developing gluten: Produces strong, well-developed dough.

Ideal for heavy-duty mixing: Handles tough doughs with ease.

Durable: Built to withstand heavy use.

Cons:

Less versatile than planetary mixers, spiral mixers, however, are primarily designed for kneading

Can be more difficult to clean.

Generally, more expensive than planetary mixers.

Which Mixer is Right for You?

Choose a planetary mixer if:

You need a versatile mixer for a variety of tasks.

You primarily work with light doughs and batters.

Choose a spiral mixer if:

You specialise in bread or pizza production

Regularly knead heavy doughs

Your key concern is gluten development

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and the type of food you produce. Consider your daily operations, production volume, and the types of doughs you work with to make an informed decision.

We stock planetary and spiral mixers from top-tier and innovative brands, ensuring a selection for every budget. Let our experienced team help you find the ideal mixer for your specific requirements. (Main image shows Infernus Floorstanding Planetary Mixer, 20L)