Planetary Mixer or Spiral Mixer: Which option suits your business best

Choosing the right commercial mixer is a major decision for any bakery, pizzeria, café, or commercial kitchen. The wrong mixer can slow down production, strain your staff and even affect the quality of your final product. The two most popular mixer types in the food service industry are the planetary mixer and the spiral mixer. Both are great machines but they serve very different needs.

Below is a clear guide to help you understand which mixer is better for your business along with useful information about usage, electrical requirements in Canada and proper cleaning and maintenance.

What is a Planetary Mixer

A planetary mixer uses an agitator that rotates around a stationary bowl, similar to how planets move around the sun. This motion gives the mixer versatility because it can handle a wide range of ingredients and consistencies.

Best uses

Planetary mixers are suitable for

• Cake batters
• Cookie dough
• Whipped cream
• Meringue
• Icing
• Mashed potatoes
• Light bread doughs

This type of mixer is perfect for bakeries, commercial kitchens and restaurants that need one machine to do multiple tasks..

Planetary Mixer vs Spiral Mixer

Which one should your business choose

Choose a planetary mixer if you need versatility.
Choose a spiral mixer if dough is the core of your business.

Planetary mixers are flexible and can perform many tasks. Spiral mixers excel at one thing extremely well. They produce high quality dough with less friction and more efficiency.

Electrical considerations in Canada

Commercial mixers in Canada typically require
• Standard options using one hundred fifteen volts
• Larger mixers that often need two hundred eight to two hundred forty volts
• Dedicated circuits to prevent overload
• Compliance with CSA certification to meet Canadian safety standards

Before purchasing a mixer, always check the electrical specifications of your building. If unsure, it is best to consult a certified electrician to confirm amperage and circuit requirements.

How to clean and maintain your mixer

A well maintained mixer lasts longer, performs better and stays safe for daily use.

Daily cleaning

• Always unplug the mixer before cleaning
• Remove the bowl and attachments
• Wash parts with warm soapy water
• Wipe the machine body with a soft damp cloth
• Never spray water directly into the motor housing

Weekly maintenance

• Check that attachments are locking securely
• Inspect the bowl lift for smooth movement
• Apply food safe lubricant to moving joints if needed

Long term care

• Schedule regular checks for belts and gears
• Listen for unusual noise during operation
• Keep the mixer free from flour buildup around the vents
• Replace worn attachments to avoid strain on the motor

Choosing the right mixer from Omni Food Equipment

At Omni Food Equipment we offer a wide range of commercial mixers suitable for bakeries, pizzerias and restaurants. Whether you need a flexible planetary mixer or a high performance spiral mixer, we can guide you to the most efficient option for your kitchen.

Browse our collection our collection of Planetary mixers or our collection of Spiral mixers and let us help you choose a mixer that supports your production volume, dough type and electrical setup.