Every bakery regardless of volume needs a commercial dough mixer. Choosing the right one to suit your needs can be a confusing process, but it doesn’t have to be. There are three different types of commercial dough mixers, and each has specific benefits that meet specific bakery needs. We’ve assembled this guide to help you make an informed choice and get the best value for your investment. Check out what we’ve got for you.

Types of Commercial Dough Mixers

When planning equipment purchases for your bakery, you will choose from one or more of the three types of commercial dough mixers. Here they are, along with the pros and cons of each mixer type.

Vertical/Planetary Mixer

The mixing mechanism for this type of mixer derives its name from its orbital movement. The bowl of the mixer is held static while the agitator moves the mixing rod and stirs the contents. These mixers are excellent for doughs, pudding, meringue and icing, especially when used with the interchangeable locking attachments.

Planetary mixers come in all sizes, from the classic countertop KitchenAid to massive, free-standing mixers that can hold gallons of ingredients. Most bakeries will need at least one planetary mixer for small batches and ingredient prep. Whether or not you get a large planetary dough mixer for large batches will be determined by your daily product volume.

Spiral Mixer

Designed specifically for mixing dough, spiral mixers use a very different mechanism compared to planetary mixers. Instead of rotating the mixing arm, the spiral-shaped rod is static in the middle of a rotating bowl. This allows for significantly faster mixing of dough ingredients, and it is ideal for large batches. 

There are, however, a couple caveats for investing in a spiral mixer. First, there is no way to whip ingredients: this is a straight-up dough mixer. Additionally, there are no interchangeable attachments for the spiral arm. Spiral mixers can mix large batches of dough very quickly, but they are otherwise very limited in their versatility.

Horizontal Mixer

A hybrid type, horizontal mixers tilt the mixing bowl or use a large drum during operation. In large commercial bakery models, the mixing arm has multiple mixing bars along its length to increase mixing speed. Actual operation speed is determined by the cut of the dough being mixed and how much it has been stretched. Countertop models can also be used for smaller volumes, but they still offer the more efficient dough mixing speed in a compact package.

Final Thoughts

Buying the right type of dough mixer for your bakery is going to be a significant contributor to your success. That being said, take the time to do your homework and run the numbers for daily dough volume and baking times. The data you collect and the research you do in advance can make all the difference in making the right choice for your commercial dough mixer.

Is your bakery local to the Irving, TX area? Need the perfect commercial dough mixer? Texas Restaurant Supply has a vast selection of like-new used commercial dough mixers. Contact us today for more information, or visit one of our locations near you.

One of the most prohibitive costs of starting a restaurant is purchasing kitchen equipment. Tens of thousands of dollars for commercial grade ovens, stoves, grills, ventilation systems and refrigeration can consume massive portions of your budget. Moreover, if you have an established restaurant,  replacing worn out or broken equipment can also bring significant unexpected expenses.

For these reasons, many restaurateurs opt to purchase used restaurant equipment to cut costs without sacrificing quality. There are, however, many other reasons to choose used equipment over new equipment.  Why should you choose used over new? Here are several excellent reasons why used restaurant equipment is the effective and money-saving choice.

1. Reduce Expenses

It may seem obvious, but used equipment costs less up front. This is especially true if you buy from a high volume used restaurant equipment supplier like Texas Restaurant Supply. When dealers buy large quantities of equipment, they can offer better discounts on used goods because their inventory volume generates more revenue. It’s a winning combination for everyone.

2. Better Quality

A sad fact of the food service industry is that sixty percent of restaurants fail within the first year.  Moreover, eighty percent fail within their first five years. These statistics are the result of a recent study by Ohio State University, although widely known by estimate for decades. What happens to all of the used equipment when those restaurants go under? The equipment is sold to used restaurant equipment dealers to try to recoup some of the financial loss. 

As a result, much of the inventory is in gently used or like new condition at a significantly discounted cost. At Texas Restaurant Supply, we carefully inspect and test all equipment to ensure it is in top service-ready condition. That means restaurant owners and restaurateurs can purchase high-end kitchen appliances at a fraction of the retail price. You get the best quality equipment at the best price.

3. Reduced Depreciation

Starting a restaurant is similar to buying a car: everything you purchase or install immediately begins losing value off the ticket price as soon as you begin using it. Buying used restaurant equipment means that your investment will depreciate in value at a significantly reduced rate. You get more for your money, and if you choose to sell in the future you will suffer a reduced loss.

4. Added Tax Benefits

Basic accounting informs any smart business manager that purchasing new equipment for a business is an easy tax write-off. What many managers and owners do not know is that used equipment purchases can also be written off at tax time. 

The full purchase price of any equipment purchased for use by a business is deductible during the current tax year, allowing owners to retain more of their earnings. More earnings means greater profits and a more secure financial future for your restaurant.

5. Better For The Planet

Somewhere (and probably more than one “where”), there is a landfill piling up with perfectly serviceable restaurant equipment. The colossal waste is practically nauseating. Buying used restaurant equipment doesn’t just save money and offer superior value: it also reduces the massive waste collecting in landfills all over the world. That’s smart, long-term thinking for your business and future generations.

All in all, buying used restaurant equipment is the smart choice for savvy restaurant owners and business managers. It reduces costs while providing better value, offers tangible tax benefits and provides an environmentally friendly solution to your business’ needs. Irving, TX local restaurant owners choose Texas Restaurant Supply when seeking used equipment for their establishments. Our vast inventory and high volume purchasing power allows us to provide the best quality for the best price. Contact us today or visit one of our two locations for more information.