Description: Comprehensive guide comparing spiral and planetary mixers for commercial bakeries. Learn which mixer type suits your production needs, dough types, and budget.
Quick Answer
Choose a Spiral Mixer if you primarily make bread, pizza dough, or heavy doughs requiring gentle gluten development.
Choose a Planetary Mixer if you need versatility for cakes, pastries, creams, and lighter doughs with multiple attachment options.
What’s the Difference?
Spiral Mixer
A spiral mixer has a stationary spiral-shaped hook while the bowl rotates around it. This creates a gentle, folding motion that develops gluten without overheating the dough.
Bowl Motion: Rotating
Hook Motion: Fixed (spiral shape)
Best For: Bread, pizza, heavy doughs
Planetary Mixer
A planetary mixer has an attachment that moves in a planetary orbit (like a planet around the sun) around a stationary bowl. This creates thorough mixing coverage.
Bowl Motion: Stationary
Attachment Motion: Orbital (planetary)
Best For: Cakes, pastries, creams, versatile applications
Comparison Table
| Feature | Spiral Mixer | Planetary Mixer |
|---|---|---|
| Dough Type | Heavy, bread doughs | Light to medium doughs |
| Mixing Action | Gentle, stretching | Thorough, beating |
| Heat Generation | Minimal | Higher |
| Gluten Development | Excellent | Good |
| Versatility | Limited (dough only) | High (multiple attachments) |
| Capacity Range | 10kg – 200kg+ | 5L – 140L |
| Speed | 40% faster for bread | Standard |
| Suitable Products | Bread, pizza, bagels | Cakes, meringue, cookies |
| Price Point | Higher | Lower |
When to Choose a Spiral Mixer
Ideal For:
✅ Wholesale bread bakeries – High-volume bread production ✅ Pizza restaurants – Large batches of pizza dough ✅ Artisan bread producers – Sourdough, ciabatta, baguettes ✅ Industrial bakeries – Continuous dough production
Key Benefits:
- Faster Mixing Time
- 40% faster than planetary mixers for bread dough
- Reduced production time per batch
- Better Dough Quality
- Gentle stretching action develops gluten properly
- Minimal heat generation keeps dough temperature stable
- Heavy Dough Capability
- Handles high-hydration doughs (65%+)
- Robust motor design prevents strain
- Larger Capacities
- Available up to 200kg+ for industrial use
- Efficient for high-volume production
Spiral Mixer Types:
| Type | Best For | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed Bowl | Small bakeries | Compact, entry-level |
| Tilt-Over | Medium bakeries | Ergonomic dough removal |
| Removable Bowl | Large bakeries | Multiple bowls, continuous production |
| Hydraulic Lift | Industrial | Automated dough handling |
When to Choose a Planetary Mixer
Ideal For:
✅ Patisseries – Delicate pastry work ✅ Cake shops – Batters, buttercream, meringues ✅ Hotels & restaurants – Versatile kitchen equipment ✅ Small bakeries – Multi-purpose needs
Key Benefits:
- Maximum Versatility
- Multiple attachments: whisk, paddle, dough hook
- One machine handles many tasks
- Superior Aeration
- Planetary motion incorporates air efficiently
- Perfect for meringues, mousses, whipped cream
- Easy Observation
- Stationary bowl allows ingredient addition
- Clear view of mixing progress
- Lower Entry Price
- More affordable than spiral mixers
- Good for startups and small operations
Planetary Mixer Attachments:
| Attachment | Use For |
|---|---|
| Whisk | Egg whites, cream, meringue |
| Beater/Paddle | Batters, fondant, mashed potato |
| Dough Hook | Light to medium doughs |
| Scraper | Even mixing, bowl cleaning |
Decision Framework
Answer These Questions:
1. What’s your primary product?
- Bread/pizza → Spiral Mixer
- Cakes/pastries → Planetary Mixer
- Both equally → Consider both or planetary for small volume
2. What’s your daily dough volume?
- Under 50kg → Planetary may suffice
- 50-200kg → Spiral recommended
- Over 200kg → Industrial spiral required
3. How important is dough quality?
- Critical (artisan bread) → Spiral Mixer
- Important but versatility needed → Planetary Mixer
4. What’s your budget?
- Limited → Start with planetary
- Investment-ready → Spiral for bread focus
Flowchart Decision Guide
START
│
├── Primary product is bread/pizza?
│ ├── YES → Spiral Mixer
│ └── NO ↓
│
├── Need multiple functions (whisk, beat, mix)?
│ ├── YES → Planetary Mixer
│ └── NO ↓
│
├── Daily dough volume over 100kg?
│ ├── YES → Spiral Mixer
│ └── NO → Planetary Mixer
│
END
Can You Use Both?
Many successful bakeries use both mixer types:
| Operation | Mixer Setup |
|---|---|
| Full-line bakery | Spiral for bread + Planetary for pastry |
| Pizza + dessert | Spiral for dough + Planetary for gelato/cream |
| Wholesale bakery | Large spiral + Small planetary for samples |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a planetary mixer make bread?
Yes, but with limitations. Planetary mixers can handle bread dough, but:
- Mixing takes 40% longer
- Motor works harder on heavy doughs
- More heat generated (affects dough quality)
- Smaller batch sizes are recommended
For occasional bread making, a planetary works. For daily bread production, invest in a spiral.
Can a spiral mixer make cakes?
No. Spiral mixers are designed specifically for dough. They cannot:
- Whisk eggs or cream
- Properly aerate cake batter
- Handle liquid batters
For cake production, you need a planetary mixer.
What size mixer do I need?
Rule of thumb: Choose a mixer that handles your largest batch comfortably, not your maximum capacity.
| Daily Production | Recommended Capacity |
|---|---|
| 20-50 loaves | 25-40kg spiral or 40L planetary |
| 50-150 loaves | 60-80kg spiral |
| 150-300 loaves | 120kg spiral |
| 300+ loaves | 160kg+ spiral |
How long do commercial mixers last?
With proper maintenance:
- Spiral mixers: 10-15+ years
- Planetary mixers: 10-15+ years
Quality European equipment (CE certified) typically outlasts cheaper alternatives.
What’s the energy consumption difference?
Spiral mixers are generally more energy-efficient for bread production:
- Faster mixing = less run time
- Purpose-built motors
- Less heat generation (less cooling needed)
iBakery Mixer Range
Spiral Mixers
- 25kg to 200kg capacities
- Fixed, tilt-over, and removable bowl options
- CE & ISO certified
- Full warranty
Planetary Mixers
- 20L to 120L capacities
- Complete attachment sets
- Bowl lift models available
- Commercial-grade construction
Need Help Choosing?
Our technical team can assess your production requirements and recommend the right mixer configuration.
📞 Call: 1300 395 320 📧 Email:
sales@ibakery.com.au 📍 Visit: 3/15 Bennett St, Chester Hill NSW 2162