January 3, 2015 - 12:19pm
Ankarsrum Mixer and Pie Dough
Hi, I'm looking to purchase a 7 qt mixer to make lots of pie dough and Ankarsrum came across. I was wondering if anyone had experience making pie dough using an Ankarsrum mixer as I couldn't find anything elsewhere. If there's a better mixer in the market for making pie dough, please let me know. Thanks in advance!
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my sister has one, she loves it, her only complaint vs the planetary style mixer is she has to soften her cream cheese and butter before mixing, and she learned this the hard way... I just got a 10qt planetary and wouldn't trade it for any other style I have ever used...
Heres a useful article, http://www.sourdoughhome.com/index.php?content=mixerthrowdown the videos are good too. It took me a bit to find it, I bookmarked it a while back...
One thing to keep in mind is cost, comparing a $350 mixer to a $800 mixer is not exactly fair, comparing 2 kitchen aids to the electrolux style would be more accurate or better yet compare it to a 20qt planetary {although it will take up much more room, lol http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENERAL-20-Quart-Commercial-Stand-Mixer-GEM120-/221307161641?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3386ef4c29 you can get them for $850...
I've never made pie pastry in mine. It wouldn't work with my preferred method, which requires very cold fats. I either cut in using a pastry blender or I use the food processor with the chopping blade. I've actually never used a mixer to make pie pastry.
I do love my Ankarsrum and I use it for everything else.
I agree never seen a mixer made crust that equals handmade crust. Once you have a system down you can make crust after crust very quickly. If you use softened fat you don't get the flakiness that cold fat gives.
Gerhard
I normally use a food processor as well but I make so many pies that I need to make large batches. I've used a Kitchenaid Artisan mixer with a flat beater before and it worked out fine as the butter didn't melt. I assume the commercial series would do the trick. I'm just checking if there are better alternatives.
I only wish there was a food processor that's able to make large batches of pie dough.
I have a Robot Coupe R2nclr, its amazing, maybe a food processor is your best bet if that is what you are having good luck with...
The Robot coupe magimix is 16 cups {so 4qts} BUT it will make dough FAST, and they take a beating.. http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/magimix-5200xl-16-cup-food-processor/ Or buy 2 and have a never ending relay...
A 7qt blixer would be over $3000 http://www.acitydiscount.com/Robot-Coupe-Vertical-Food-Mixer-Blender-3-HP-w-7-Quart-Stainless-Bowl-BLIXER-6.0.130238.1.1.htm?utm_source=google&utm_med... but I have seen them in action in person and they are amazing machines... They make the blixer series up to 60 quarts, lol But they are around $25000...
But anyway, maybe that is the way to go, a really nice food processor, I know some people think I am crazy for spending $1500 on a food processor but I have easily spent that over the years on small non commercial units that never did the job right... I am sick of buying kitchen appliances, no more ka mixers, or cheap ninja blanders, buy once and cry once...
you can see my robo coupe in this picture, it is quite large but I don't know how I lived without it, tonight I processed 12 large onions for french onion soup in less than a minute {with the other upper chute attachment}
IMG_0044_zps00cb32d3.jpg
I don't make pie crusts but several reviews indicate that although this mixer (which I own) is fabulous for large quantities of bread dough, it does not make pie crusts. On another note to use the beater function you must have soft ingredients --I broke mine with cold butter. (Motor fine, beater gears broken but easily replaced.) The spiral post function can handle anything; however, it probably won't make good pie dough.
http://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/523/commercial-mixers.html
A little more than halfway down the page, there's a table with suggested mixer sizes for various quantities of differing products, including pie dough. That should assist your decision, at least in terms of sizing. I suspect that you will select a planetary style. From what you describe, a commercial machine is apt to be more economical than a series of home or pro-sumer types of machines that burn out.
Paul
Wow! Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I actually plan on making and delivering pies to my friends and family, and making tarts for bake sales. Hopefully there'll be enough interest so I can turn it into a small business. I'll definitely get a quality commercial mixer then and refer back to this page. Until then, I'll see if I should get a planetary mixer. Thanks again everyone for your help.
I know that this is a really old post, but it popped up when I was searching for info on the possibility of using my Ank to make pie dough.
I stumbled upon the article below during my search, and I thought I'd add it here, just in case anyone else comes looking for the same information.
While I LOVE using my Ank for bread, I've always been a little frustrated with the fact that it doesn't handle cold butter well -- or actually at all. With my hand arthritis, there's no way that I'm going to hand grate frozen butter. I've been considering getting the Ank shredder/slicer accessory though, and this article looks like using that with frozen butter just might work.
I've been incredibly frustrated in my search for a great food processor. I keep running up against reviews that say that even expensive ones (like the Breville Sous Chef) have serious design flaws that either make them impossible to clean or they break within a year or two. If I can shred and slice and make a pie crust with the Ank, I shouldn't even need to replace my ancient food processor. <fingers crossed>
So, just in case someone else stumbles across this thread, here the link. Hope it helps.
https://www.ankarsrumoriginalusa.com/blog/yay-for-fall-apple-pie/#more-7325
Becky
Hi Becky, thank you for the post! The butter issue with the Ank does crop up occasionally. It's annoying to have to invest in a pricey attachment, but I'm in the same boat as you with the arthritic hands. If you end up getting the slicer/shredder, do follow up and let us know what you think.
–AG
I'll try to remember to do that.
Becky
I'll try to remember to do that.
Becky
My new mixer!!.jpg
Stop shedding tears because your machines don't work, or have stopped working!! Buy quality once, or buy junk forever!!