Hi,
I am making a pretzel dough (firm dough - about 55% hydration) and am starting to expand my german pretzel business and need to buy a mixing machine. I am looking between a planetary mixer (hobart) and a spiral mixer (Esmach). Any suggestions on what I should go for?
If your main focus is dough then I would get a spiral mixer. I am personally a fan of this company since they are US based.
http://www.abs1.net/Category/cat_default_page.asp?owner=8&catId=24
Definitely go with a spiral mixer if you can afford it. Mixing bread dough with a spiral is so much faster, more efficient and consistent.