Professional planetary mixer. Selection Tips & Reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The market for kitchen appliances is replete with multifunctional devices that allow you to cope with various culinary tasks. In order to save money, housewives are looking at less powerful devices that perform a certain range of functions required for cooking at home. However, the professional planetary mixer can be considered as the best kitchen tool for both restaurants and private needs. This is the case when the purchase of professional equipment justifies itself, even if we are not talking about a specialized purpose. Nevertheless, so that the model does not disappoint during operation and does not remain idle, you need to responsibly approach its choice.

What are the features of the planetary mixer?

To begin with, it is important to understand that planetary devices have several fundamental differences. Actually, they justify the purchase of such mixers for the home. So, among the differences between the device, the following stand out:

• Whipping products requires minimal effort on the part of the user.
• Compared to manual models, such a device does not need additional retention, allowing the hostesssimultaneously with the operation of the mixer, perform other culinary operations.
• Since the professional planetary mixer is equipped with a metal bowl, you can use a special heating pad for external heating. This is usually required when working with solid products.

Actually, such a mixer got the name of a planetary mixer for the reason that the rotation of the whisk occurs in a circle in the bowl, as well as around its own axis, but in the opposite direction. This is the reason for the high efficiency of the whipping process.

Destination of planetary mixers

Professional mixers are not cheap, so you should immediately determine for what tasks such equipment is purchased. Again, since we are talking about multifunctional specialized devices, you should focus on complex tasks. For example, a professional planetary type mixer allows you to prepare dough, knead cream, grind meat, whip cream and mousses. And this is not a complete list of functions - a lot depends on the specific configuration.

But the most important thing to understand is that such equipment is designed to work in large volumes. This justifies its use in catering establishments, confectioneries and bakeries. There is another significant difference, which is that the professional mixer is able to effectively process hard consistency products that no home analogue can handle.

Size selection

Size is one of the main drawbacks of this type of mixers. These are rather bulky units, so you should calculate in advance the possibility of installing a mixer in the kitchen. In particular, the average dimensions have the following parameters: 45x37x60 cm. As you can see, the device is comparable in size to a small refrigerator. You should also pay attention to the size of the bowl, which has a professional mixer as standard. Its volume can hold tens of liters, which again indicates the purpose of the equipment - for professional needs. At the same time, unlike semi-professional and home models, devices in this category require floor installation.

Power Selection

The power range of professional units varies from 0.25 to 0.75 kW. In this regard, it is worth noting the relationship between power potential and direct purpose. Although manufacturers position most models as multifunctional and universal, there are still divisions according to areas of operation. For example, in small establishments it is worth using a professional cocktail mixer, the power of which will be minimal - 0.25-0.35 kW. However, we are talking about completely different data in relation to equipment for meat processing plants, canteens and bakeries. To serve large volumes of meat (especially frozen) or dough, a power of at least 0.5 kW is required.

Functionality and ergonomics

It used to be thought, and not without reason, that professionalkitchen equipment noticeably loses in terms of ease of use to domestic household counterparts. Representatives of the first group were guided by simple tasks of obtaining the maximum volume of processed products, and home appliances were distinguished by their comfort in use. A modern professional mixer produces a completely different impression. The devices are equipped with touch control panels, timers and a wide range of other optional features. In this regard, it is worth paying attention to the configuration of the unit. As standard, it may include several whisk attachments, a kneading hook, whisking paddles, and other attachments to enable chopping, squeezing and slicing.

Question of price

Like any professional equipment, mixers are expensive. For their wide functionality and performance, they pay from 30 to 100 thousand rubles. Of course, there are other price tags that go beyond this cost corridor, but in this range you can find devices of acceptable quality and for any needs. The main thing is to decide on the requirements so as not to overpay for an extra option. For example, a professional mixer with a bowl, the price of which is 30-40 thousand, copes well with the function of a meat grinder and vegetable cutter, not to mention the preparation of cocktails and mousses. Another thing is that he does his work at medium speeds, in small volumes and does not offer additional features. But such features, as well as high performance, are present in models costing about 80-100 thousand

Reviews

Opinions on the benefits of professional planetary mixers generally note a positive experience. There are not many manufacturers of these products on the market, so it is not so difficult to draw conclusions. For example, the Kitchen Aid brand is the segment leader. Users characterize the products of this brand as reliable and pleasing to the eye in their design. The Italian brand Steno also pleases its fans with quality, releasing solid models, although without frills in the optional. Ergo and Convito can be classified as budget companies. However, in terms of performance, their units are significantly superior not only to the professional hand mixer, but also to some powerful versions from the range of expensive models. In other words, each manufacturer relies on certain qualities for a specific audience of customers.

Conclusion

If we are talking about the purchase of such equipment for the enterprise, then the question of the appropriateness of the acquisition will definitely be positive. It is enough to decide on the power, functions and additional features. However, if a professional mixer, the price of which starts at about 30 thousand rubles, is chosen for private needs, then the capabilities of the unit should be initially compared with the requirements. Even in the lower budget categories, models of such an apparatus will cope with most culinary tasks. But it is possible that a semi-professional device will be enough for domestic needs.