Mixers
Mixing is a necessity in the production of bread and most often times the spiral mixer is the choice of artisan bread bakers. This is because spiral mixers are more efficient than many other types of mixers for dough based products but at the same time are gentle enough on lean artisan dough. Almost every bakery equipment manufacturer offers a spiral mixer and at many different price levels and many different quality levels. Some manufacturers offer gear driven bowls while others use friction wheels to turn the bowl. Some of them use all stainless steel bowls pressed out of a single piece of steel while others choose to weld together their bowls for a more affordable option.
When buying a spiral mixer you should keep in mind the amount of hours per day you plan to use the machine. Spiral mixers generally fall into categories like a pickup truck would; Low Duty, Medium Duty, and Heavy Duty. An honest sales person will help you distinguish between the classes and help you make an informed decision. Needless to say don’t buy a Low Duty Mixer because of price and expect to operate it for 3 shifts per day without failure for any period of time.
Spiral Mixer
Removable Bowl Mixers
Tilt Mixer
Tilt mixers indeed offer a convenient middle ground between fixed bowl and removable bowl mixers, providing both space-saving benefits and efficient dough handling capabilities. Their hydraulic lift mechanism facilitates quick and easy dumping of dough, streamlining the production process.
One of the significant advantages of tilt mixers is their space-saving design, which is particularly valuable in environments where space is limited. By allowing the entire mixer to tilt, they eliminate the need for a separate bowl lift mechanism, which can be bulky and take up additional space.
Moreover, tilt mixers can be a cost-effective option compared to purchasing a separate removable bowl mixer and bowl lift. This affordability makes them an attractive choice for smaller bakeries or businesses with budget constraints.
However, it's important to note that tilt mixers do have some limitations. While they excel at dumping dough quickly, they may not offer the same level of flexibility as removable bowl mixers. The inability to transport the dough to a different workspace can be a drawback in scenarios where multiple tasks need to be performed simultaneously or where space constraints necessitate moving the dough to a different area for further processing.
Overall, tilt mixers represent a versatile solution for many baking operations, offering a balance between space efficiency, affordability, and efficient dough handling.
Water Meter
Water meters streamline the mixing process, particularly for larger batches where precision and efficiency are paramount. By automating the water dispensing process, bakers can achieve consistent results without the need for manual weighing or temperature adjustment. This not only saves time but also ensures uniformity in dough texture and quality.
In simpler models, water meters function by delivering a predetermined volume of water directly into the mixing bowl, eliminating the need for manual measurement. This simplicity is beneficial, especially in busy bakery environments where time is of the essence.
More advanced water meters offer additional features such as the ability to control water temperature. This is particularly useful for bakeries aiming for precise dough temperatures to achieve specific results in terms of texture, fermentation, and final product quality. By setting desired water temperatures, bakers can fine-tune their dough-making process to meet their exact specifications, resulting in consistent and high-quality products.
As batch sizes increase, manually weighing multiple buckets of water becomes increasingly impractical and prone to inconsistencies in both quantity and temperature. Water meters alleviate this challenge by providing accurate and automated water dispensing, especially for large batches, ensuring that each batch of dough is made with precision and reliability.
