In a bakery, the mixer is one of the hardest-working pieces of kit in the kitchen. Cake batters, buttercream, fillings, whipped cream, meringues and doughs – one batch is barely out of the bowl before the next goes in.

So when you’re deciding what size planetary mixer you need, don’t start with the biggest bowl you can afford. Start with what you make, how much of it and how often.

Planetary or Spiral – Which Suits Your Bakery?

In a planetary mixer, the attachment spins while also travelling around the bowl, which is where the name comes from. Swap the attachment and the same machine can beat cake batter with the beater, whip cream and meringue with the whisk, and knead suitable doughs with the hook.

In a spiral mixer, a spiral-shaped hook works the dough while the bowl itself rotates. If most of your production is bread, particularly in big batches, a spiral or dedicated dough mixer may suit you better – and they’re available with larger bowls for bigger dough runs.

If you need one machine for a wider mix of jobs, that’s where a planetary mixer comes into its own.

Why Isn’t Bowl Size the Same as Capacity?

A 20, 30 or 60-litre bowl doesn’t tell you how much of each product the mixer can handle. Whipping cream asks very different things of a machine than kneading a stiff bread dough, so maximum loads vary from product to product.

Dough is where this matters most. The stiffer the dough, the less of it a mixer can usually handle in one go, so ask what type of dough the quoted capacity is based on.

What Size Planetary Mixer Do You Need?

Commercial planetary mixers typically come in 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60-litre sizes. Smaller sizes are usually countertop models and the largest are floor-standing, but at around 20 to 30 litres you’ll find both – so look at the footprint as well as the bowl.

A smaller mixer may be all you need for modest batches of cakes, buttercream and fillings, especially if space is tight. As production grows, a larger one cuts the number of batches you make. If staff are mixing the same recipe twice because the bowl isn’t big enough, moving up a size could clear a real bottleneck.

The simplest way to size it: take your normal batch size and how many batches you run on a busy day, then choose a mixer that handles that comfortably, with some headroom for busier periods and growth.

Which Attachments and Speeds Do You Need?

Most bakeries need a beater, whisk and dough hook. Don’t assume everything in the photo is included – confirm what’s supplied, and whether extra attachments are available. Some larger mixers also take a smaller reduction bowl, which makes small batches easier.

Whisking, beating and kneading each need different speeds, so look at the speed range and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on attachment, speed and load.

Will It Fit – and Can You Power It?

Measure the width, depth and height you have, and the delivery route into the bakery – doorways, steps and corners included. Large floor-standing mixers can be very heavy, so think about the floor too.

A full bowl gets heavy as well. On bigger machines, a bowl trolley makes moving batches much easier.

Then there’s power. Smaller mixers may run from a standard plug, but larger machines often need a three-phase supply and hardwiring. If you’re not sure what your bakery has, give us a call before you order.

What About Safety and Cleaning?

Look for a proper guard, safety interlocks and an emergency stop, and make sure staff are trained before they use the machine.

Flour, batter and icing get everywhere, so it’s worth knowing how easily the bowl, attachments and guard clean down as part of your daily routine.

New, Graded or Reconditioned?

A planetary mixer is a big investment, and buying new isn’t the only option.

New mixers come with the manufacturer’s warranty, which varies from brand to brand.

⚠ Graded mixers may carry cosmetic marks such as scuffs or dents, and are priced to reflect it. Availability changes from time to time, so it’s worth asking what’s in stock.

Need a Hand Choosing?

Tell us what you make, your typical batch sizes and how often the mixer runs, and we’ll help you find the right size. Anglia Catering Equipment supplies new, graded and reconditioned commercial mixers, all with Fast Free UK Mainland Delivery.

The best planetary mixer isn’t the biggest – it’s the one that makes your production day easier.