What is a planetary mixer

Equipment of the so-called professional category is becoming available for home kitchens. Many units make cooking easier, turning it into a pleasant and easy process. One of these revolutionary home appliances is the planetary mixer. What are its features and why is it remarkable?

What is a planetary mixer

A planetary, or so-called confectionery mixer, is a modern kitchen unit that mixes products with increased power and operates without human intervention. You just need to place the ingredients in it and press the button. Thanks to a variety of attachments, the unit mixes products of absolutely any viscosity and consistency. With its help, you can prepare dough - yeast, biscuit or choux, beat eggs, prepare mousse, soufflé, homemade mayonnaise.

REFERENCE! The planetary mixer began to be called because of the rotation system - in addition to its own axis, it also moves along the so-called orbit. Figuratively, this can be imagined as if he were drawing circles inside the bowl.

Types of planetary mixers with photos

The design of the planetary mixer is represented by a stationary housing equipped with an electric motor inside.The body has a hinged upper part where attachments are attached and a platform at the base where the bowl is located.

Previously, this technique was mainly used in large catering establishments: confectionery shops and fast food chains, where it is necessary to process a large number of products. Now manufacturers have begun to produce compact mixer models adapted for home kitchens. Such devices are compact in size with high power.

This technique is divided into several types:

1. Industrial. They are used to process a huge number of products - the bowl of such equipment has a capacity of 150 liters. Only professionals can work with such a device - it is placed on the floor and secured with special holders.
2. Semi-professional. Such mixers are in demand in small cafes and hotels. The bowl volume is only 15 liters; this unit can be installed both on the floor and on the table. To use it, you must have the appropriate skills and experience.
3. Household. These devices are used in an ordinary kitchen in an apartment; the bowl is small - only 4–7 liters. They can be used without special skills; the equipment is multifunctional and can be installed on a table.

REFERENCE! A household mixer not only kneads dough and prepares sauces, but also whips cream, mixes minced meat, squeezes juice and chops vegetables.

Advantages and disadvantages of planetary mixers

The advantages of this technique include:

• ease of use and comfort of operation - now there is no need to knead the dough by hand for hours;
• speeding up the cooking process;
• excellent power and intensity of work, which allow you to mix products of any viscosity and consistency - the speed of the mixer allows you to quickly prepare any product;
• multifunctionality - you can use the device as a meat grinder, juicer and vegetable cutter;
• ergonomic design that fits perfectly into any interior;
• the presence of a large number of attachments - especially in professional category devices.

There are also some disadvantages - although they are few:

• high cost compared to analogues;
• large dimensions and weight due to the large bowl and powerful, strong motor of the equipment;
• high power consumption - a separate outlet is required.

What characteristics should you pay attention to when purchasing?

To purchase a quality kitchen unit, you need to pay attention to some points:

1. Equipment manufacturing material. The best material for a mixer is stainless steel; if the device is made of this material, it guarantees long-term operation and high performance. There is only one drawback - the high cost of the model if it is made entirely of stainless steel. Plastic is a cheaper option, but it is significantly inferior in many respects to its counterpart made of expensive material.
2. Equipment. It can be either a standard type or an extended one. The first has a minimum number of attachments included, but the extended version has attachments that turn the mixer into a vegetable cutter or meat grinder.
3. Bowl volume. This parameter should be taken into account in accordance with the individual preferences and needs of the family. If the family is small, then a 4-liter bowl will do - there is no need to overpay for the extra volume.
4. Control Panel.It can be sensory or conventional mechanical. The first is stylish and modern, but it can fail unexpectedly, the second is time-tested reliability.

Professional mixer models with a large number of attachments and an abundance of various functions are very expensive: from 40 to 100 thousand rubles, a more economical option is available at a price from 3 to 10 thousand rubles.

ATTENTION! Many well-known equipment manufacturers offer mixers with a quality guarantee and a wide range of functions and cooking programs at affordable prices.

The planetary mixer is a great helper in the home kitchen; it will never be out of place, thanks to its versatility.