We don’t have to tell you how important each step of the bread-baking process is. One misstep can ruin the entire batch of artisan bread. No one knows this more than artisan bread bakers who meticulously plan their formulas and perfect their craft to produce consistent and delicious artisanal bread. Most artisans will admit that the most important process in bread baking is the mix. Getting the right development of your dough will make or break your final product. From gluten development to proper ingredient incorporation, the bakery mixer you choose should be able to achieve everything you need to get the perfect artisan bread dough. This blog will act as a guide in helping you choose the perfect dough mixer for artisan bread production.

FIND THE RIGHT MIXER

Step one is finding the right type of mixer. Can most types of mixers mix a bread dough? Sure. Are all of those mixers the ideal solution for mixing bread dough? Not at all. The most popular mixers found in a bakery are planetary mixers and spiral mixers. Although both can be used to mix artisan bread dough, only one is the right solution for the process. Planetary mixers are popular for their versatility. Bakers can mix bread dough, cake batter, cookie dough, icings and meringues all within a planetary mixer. The planetary mixer, however, lacks the major features that the spiral mixer has for developing the perfect bread dough.

A spiral mixer like the Empire IRIS Spiral Arm Mixer features a coordinated spiral and bowl rotation system that provides optimal ingredient blending and dough development. By having the spiral mixers bowl rotate, the spiral arm and the rotating bowl create a perfect environment for developing the dough properly and efficiently. A planetary mixer bowl does not rotate which limits the dough development to some capacity. Another feature the spiral mixer has that a planetary mixer lacks is a breaker bar. A breaker bar divides the dough only allowing a portion of the dough to pass through the spiral arm. Splitting the dough this way keeps friction low and provides a more precise mix and ingredient blending.

Now that we know the type of mixer you should be looking for, let's look at some other factors that should be taken into consideration when finding the perfect mixer for your bread production.

CAPACITY: SIZE MATTERS

Consider how much bread you need to produce. What is your daily volume at your bakery? Or do you produce bread at wholesale and need a larger capacity? Spiral mixers come in various sizes. Empire offers their spiral mixers at capacities as low as 30 quarts to wholesale removable bowl spiral mixers with capacities of up to 380 quarts. Be sure to choose a mixer that matches the volume of bread you intend to bake.

DURABILITY: A MIXER BUILT TO LAST

A commercial dough mixer is an investment for your bakery, so choosing one that can withstand the workload and is built to last is extremely important. You don’t want to go with the cheaper option, and then constantly need the machine to be serviced, causing delays in your production which ultimately hurts your bottom line. Bread doughs can be tough on mixers so making sure the components of your spiral mixer are robust enough to withstand the demands is crucial. Thousands of bakeries trust Empire’s IRIS Spiral Mixer throughout the country. Their rugged construction and advanced engineering make them a reliable mixer in your bakery.

Selecting the perfect mixer for bread baking is a significant step toward achieving consistent and delightful loaves. There are a variety of factors a mixer needs to best produce a perfect bread dough. Bowl rotation for optimal ingredient blending, breaker arm for low friction, capacity and durability are all important features for a bread dough mixer. With the right mixer by your side, you’ll embark on a bread-baking journey filled with consistent and satisfying results. Great baking starts with a great mixer, and there is no better mixer for artisan breads than a spiral arm mixer.