I'm picking out equipment for my new bakery, and I could use some help! I've always worked in hotels, so I was fortunate enough to have a 5-qt KitchenAid mixer, a 20-qt, a 30-qt, AND a 60-qt mixer. Now that I can only afford one or two, I can't decide on the most versatile size.
I usually make cookies and cakes. I like a 60-qt so I can make large batches of meringue for buttercream and sponge cakes (and use that big bowl on casters for folding big recipes), and I already have a KitchenAid from home. So, as bakery owners, do you think a 20 or a 30-qt is better for most everyday, mid-sized recipes?
sweetchef-
What kind of power do you have at the new bakery? If it is single phase and you don't want to spend a bunch of money or have a converter installed,then I think the largest single phase I have seen is 30 Quarts.
I have a 20q Horbart but I would prefer a 30q. I think 30 is the most versatile size without getting too big, but it really depends on the size of your operation. We only do about 7 weddings a week so we can get by with a smaller version but if you are cranking them out then by all means go for the biggest one you can find.
PieceofCakeAZ,
In terms of single phase power...I think the more powerful your mixer (i.e 60 quart) it's best to make sure the space has 3 phase, for power efficiancy, right?
I'm picking out bakery equipment also and my equip. dealers are having me find a space with triple phase over phase 1 power. They've basically said that it's just more cost efficient...any thoughts?
sweetchef,
I've used a 30 quart....very nice. 60 quart was huge! I baked 150 cupcakes in one mix in the 60 and it wasn't even half full!!! It was crazy!
PieceofCakeAZ,
In terms of single phase power...I think the more powerful your mixer (i.e 60 quart) it's best to make sure the space has 3 phase, for power efficiancy, right?
I'm picking out bakery equipment also and my equip. dealers are having me find a space with triple phase over phase 1 power. They've basically said that it's just more cost efficient...any thoughts?
You are correct ccq! The more power & capacity the mixer has the more likely it is to be a 3 phase power model. 3 phase appliances typically use less amps than their single phase counterparts and will typically be more cost efficient.
It may be difficult to find a facility that already has 3 phase power but you can get converters on ebay and hav an electrician install it and it should work fine.
The new store I'm leasing is a second-generation food business, so it already has 3 phase electric. I'm so happy to learn it's more efficient (I really know nothing about the mechanics of all of it)! The store used to be a sandwich shop (with very little cooking), so my contractor is going to have to adjust the electric to handle the extra equipment load. He told me not to worry about all that, he said he could convert a lot of that during build out.
I guess I was on the right track--I'm thinking a 30-qt (better to go too big rather than too small) and a 60-qt for huge jobs. I don't really know my volume needs yet, so it's a lot of guesswork.
Thanks for all your help, guys! I'm buying my mixers used, so I'd also appreciate advice on good brands (besides Hobart, of course). Any thoughts?
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