Choose Between Planetary or Spiral Mixers

Planetary mixers have a stationary bowl with a single arm attachment that rotates around the bowl like a planet orbiting the sun. The arm attachment usually has a paddle for batters and a hook for kneading bread dough. Planetary mixers tend to range in capacity from 5 to 80 quarts. Spiral mixers contain a rotating bowl with a stationary spiral dough hook affixed to the interior wall. The rotating bowl mimics the motion of the dough hook when stirring and kneading by hand. Spiral mixers are excellent for large batches of dough and are available in sizes from 40 to 140 quarts.