Best Commercial Floor Mixers for Bakeries and Restaurants

by Restaurant Supply content and product experts | Restaurant Supply Team

Floor mixers, essential in commercial kitchens such as bakeries and restaurants, are heavy-duty machines designed for large-scale food preparation. They are more robust and have larger capacities than their countertop counterparts, making them ideal for mixing substantial quantities of dough, batter, or other mixtures. The primary feature of these mixers is their ability to handle high-volume, consistent mixing tasks, reducing manual labor and ensuring uniformity in product quality. Floor mixers come in various sizes, typically ranging from 20 to 140 quarts, to cater to different production scales.

The types of floor mixers mainly include planetary mixers, spiral mixers, and dough mixers. Planetary mixers, known for their versatility, are suitable for a wide range of tasks from whipping cream to kneading dough, thanks to their interchangeable attachments like hooks, whisks, and beaters. Spiral mixers, with their efficient spiral-shaped agitators and fixed bowls, are ideal for bread and pizza dough as they maintain dough consistency and temperature. Dough mixers, specifically designed for heavy dough, are perfect for high-volume bread and pizza businesses.

Accessory add-ons for floor mixers enhance their functionality and include:

Extra Bowls

Extra bowls allow for continuous operation by reducing downtime when processing multiple batches. This is particularly beneficial in high-demand situations, enabling the kitchen to maintain productivity without pausing to clean a single bowl between batches.

Specialty Attachments

Attachments like dough hooks, flat beaters, and wire whips expand the mixer's versatility, making it suitable for a wider range of recipes and preparations. This adaptability is crucial in commercial settings where menu diversity is key.

Bowl Scrapers

Bowl scrapers automatically scrape the sides of the bowl during mixing. This ensures consistent mixing, reduces waste, and saves time otherwise spent manually scraping down the bowl.

Timer Attachments

Timers help in precise mixing, ensuring consistent results every time. This is especially important in baking, where timing is critical to the texture and quality of the final product.

High-Quality Floor Mixer Brands for Professional Kitchens

When choosing a floor mixer for a professional kitchen, the brand can be a significant factor, as it often reflects the quality, durability, and after-sales service. Popular brands include Hobart, KitchenAid Commercial, and Vollrath, each offering unique features:

Hobart Floor Mixers: Known for their durability and reliability, Hobart mixers are a staple in many commercial kitchens. They offer powerful motors and a range of sizes to suit different production needs.
KitchenAid Commercial Mixers: These mixers combine aesthetics with functionality. They are known for their power and ease of use, with a variety of attachments for different culinary tasks.
Vollrath Mixers: Vollrath focuses on efficiency and versatility. Their mixers are designed for ease of cleaning and maintenance, with features that cater to a wide range of mixing tasks.

Benefits of Using Hobart Floor Mixers in High-Volume Settings

Hobart floor mixers are renowned for their robustness and efficiency in high-volume settings like commercial bakeries and large restaurants. Key benefits include:

Longevity: Built to withstand heavy usage, Hobart mixers are a long-term investment.
Consistency: They provide consistent mixing results, which is crucial for quality control in large-scale food production.
Power: Designed for heavy doughs and dense mixtures, their powerful motors ensure smooth operation under full loads.
Versatility: With a range of attachments and accessories, they can be adapted for various culinary tasks.

Top Floor Mixer Products

Floor mixers are essential equipment in commercial kitchens, especially for bakeries, pizzerias, and any food service operation requiring large quantities of mixed ingredients. When looking for top floor mixer products, key factors include the mixer's capacity, power, speed settings, and durability. A high-capacity mixer is ideal for establishments with large volume demands. Power and speed settings are crucial for handling different types of dough and mixtures efficiently. Durability ensures longevity and reduces the need for frequent replacements. The best floor mixers are typically found in settings like commercial bakeries, large restaurants, and catering businesses where the preparation of vast quantities of dough, batter, or other mixtures is a regular task.

Hobart Legacy HL800-1 80-Quart All-Purpose Mixer
The Hobart Legacy HL800-1 is renowned for its robustness and versatility. With an 80-quart capacity, it's designed for the heavy demands of commercial kitchens. This mixer features four speeds, a stir speed, and a power bowl lift, which makes it ideal for a variety of mixing tasks. Its durability and reliability make it a preferred choice for large bakeries and food production facilities.
Hobart Floor Mixer
Vulcan V60 60-Quart Commercial Floor Mixer
Vulcan V60 is a strong contender in the 60-quart category, offering a balance of power and versatility. It features a variable speed drive, allowing for precise control over mixing. Its durability and ease of use make it suitable for medium to large bakeries, restaurants, and catering services.
Vulcan Floor Mixer
Globe SP30 30-Quart Planetary Mixer
The Globe SP30 is ideal for smaller operations that require quality and efficiency. With a 30-quart capacity, it's perfect for small to medium-sized bakeries and restaurants. It offers three speeds and comes with standard attachments, making it a versatile and cost-effective option.
Globe Floor Mixer

Floor Mixers FAQ

Floor mixers are essential appliances in the commercial food service industry, widely used in bakeries, restaurants, and cafeterias for their robust capacity and versatility. These mixers are designed for heavy-duty use, capable of handling large volumes of ingredients. They come in various sizes and capacities, equipped with different features such as variable speed controls, timers, and power-efficient motors. Users can select from a range of attachments like dough hooks, whisks, and beaters, making them suitable for a diverse array of tasks from kneading dough to whipping cream. The choice of a floor mixer largely depends on the intended use, the volume of food preparation, and the available space in the kitchen.

What are the main benefits of using a commercial floor mixer?

Commercial floor mixers offer several advantages, including improved consistency in food preparation, time efficiency, and reduced manual labor. These mixers ensure a uniform mix of ingredients, which is crucial for consistent quality in recipes. Their high-capacity bowls and powerful motors save significant time and effort compared to manual mixing, making them ideal for high-volume establishments. Additionally, their sturdy build and durability make them a long-term investment for any commercial kitchen.

How do I choose the right size and capacity for my kitchen's needs?

Selecting the right size and capacity for a floor mixer depends on the kitchen's volume of production and available space. For smaller establishments with limited space, a compact mixer with a smaller bowl capacity may be sufficient. Larger restaurants or bakeries with high-volume needs might require mixers with larger bowls and more powerful motors. It's important to balance the kitchen's daily throughput with the mixer's size to ensure efficient operation without overcrowding the kitchen space.

Are there different types of attachments available for floor mixers?

Yes, floor mixers come with a variety of attachments, enhancing their versatility. Common attachments include dough hooks for kneading, flat beaters for mixing batters, and wire whips for aerating creams or egg whites. Some models also offer specialized attachments like meat grinders or vegetable slicers, turning the mixer into a multi-functional appliance. Selecting the right attachments depends on the menu and the types of food preparation required in the kitchen.

What are the maintenance and cleaning requirements for a commercial floor mixer?

Maintenance and cleaning are crucial for the longevity and performance of floor mixers. Regular cleaning of the bowl and attachments is necessary to maintain hygiene standards. Most mixers have components that are dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleaning process. Periodic maintenance checks, such as inspecting the motor, gears, and electrical connections, help in early identification of potential issues, ensuring the mixer operates efficiently and safely.

Can I customize a floor mixer to fit the specific needs of my kitchen?

Many floor mixer models offer customization options to fit specific kitchen needs. This can include choosing different bowl capacities, motor strengths, and even color options to match the kitchen's aesthetic. Additionally, the wide range of available attachments allows kitchens to tailor the mixer's functionality to their specific menu requirements, making it a versatile tool in food preparation.

2023-11-21 19:13:00

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