What is planetary mixing action?
The name sounds fancy, but the concept is simple: the beater moves around the bowl while also spinning on its own axis – just like planets orbiting the sun. This means your ingredients aren’t just getting pushed around; they’re getting properly incorporated. No dry pockets of flour. No streaks of unmixed butter.
Ever had to stop mixing and scrape down the sides of a bowl? Not anymore. One of our stand mixers does it for you, so every bite of your cake, cookie, or bread dough turns out exactly as it should – no lumps, no uneven textures. Just perfection.
What is a planetary mixer used for?
Wondering what a planetary mixer can do? The real question is: What can’t it do? Use it for:
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Baking: Cakes, muffins, scones, and meringues are fluffy, airy and evenly mixed every time.
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Bread and pizza dough: Kneads without you breaking a sweat.
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Whipping cream and egg whites: Say hello to silky peaks in seconds.
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Making pasta and pastry dough: Get that perfect texture without overworking it.
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Mixing meatballs and sausages: Yep, it even handles savoury dishes.
If you love cooking but hate the effort of mixing, this is your new best friend.
Planetary mixer vs spiral mixer
So, what’s the difference between a planetary mixer and a spiral mixer? Think of it this way:
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Planetary mixers = versatile all-rounders. Perfect for home kitchens, they can mix, beat, knead and whip all in one.
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Spiral mixers = specialists. They’re built for serious dough-making, mostly used in bakeries and commercial kitchens.
Unless you’re running a commercial bread shop, a planetary mixer is the one you want. It can do everything a home cook needs – without taking up half your kitchen.
How to use a planetary mixer
It’s just five easy steps to use your planetary mixer.
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Choose your weapon (aka attachment). Need to beat, knead, or whip? Grab the right tool – a paddle for general mixing, a dough hook for bread, and a whisk for airy textures.
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Load up the bowl. Flour, eggs, sugar, butter – whatever your recipe calls for, in they go.
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Lock it in and set the speed. Start slowly to bring everything together, then turn it up for the magic.
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Watch the magic happen. No need to scrape down the bowl – it’s all mixing evenly as you sip your coffee.
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Done! Lift, detach, and you’re ready to bake, cook, or devour whatever you’ve just made.
And the best part? It’s easier to clean than you might think. Just rinse the bowl and attachments, and you’re set for the next round.
Once you find a winner in the bowl lift vs tilt head mixer debate, there’s only one question left: what will you cook first?
Next stop: recipe inspiration
Not sure where to start? Here are five game-changing recipes you can make with your mixer.
🍰 Classic pavlova – Get that crisp-yet-marshmallowy perfection with effortlessly whipped egg whites.
🧁 Fluffy vanilla cupcakes – Light, airy batter mixed to perfection in minutes.
🍪 Choc chip cookies – No over-mixing, just perfectly blended dough for gooey-centred cookies.
🍕 Homemade pizza dough – Kneads itself while you relax. Stretch, top, bake, devour.
🥞 Decadent mascarpone, honey and ginger banana bread – Super smooth batter with no uneven lumps of banana or flour.
One appliance. Unlimited deliciousness.
FAQ
What is the principle of planetary mixture?
A planetary mixer works by spinning the attachment on its own axis while also rotating it around the bowl. This means every ingredient is evenly combined, making it far more efficient than a standard hand mixer.
Is a planetary mixer better?
If you want an all-in-one, hands-free, no-fuss way to mix, whip and knead, then yes – a planetary mixer is absolutely better. It’s more powerful, more consistent, and saves you serious effort compared to a hand mixer.
What is the difference between a planetary mixer and a dough mixer?
A planetary mixer can do it all – mix batters, knead dough, whip cream, and more. A dough mixer (aka spiral mixer) is built specifically for bread and pizza dough, meaning it’s great for bulk baking but isn’t the best choice for other things.
How do I choose a planetary mixer?
Think about:
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Size and capacity: Are you making small batches or feeding a crowd?
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Attachments: The more, the better! Whisks, beaters, dough hooks – it’s all about versatility.
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Speed settings: Multiple speeds give you more control.
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Build quality: A good mixer should last for many years.
The right mixer will make cooking easier – more fun and less work.