Commercial Mixer Pricing Guide 2025
Commercial Mixer Pricing Guide 2025
The Complete Guide to Buying Commercial Mixers at Auction
Based on analysis of 200+ mixer sales with real market data
Save 40-70% off retail prices📊 Commercial Mixer Auction Prices by Size & Brand
Understanding mixer pricing requires knowing both capacity and brand reputation. Here's our comprehensive breakdown based on recent PCI auction data:
20 Quart Mixers
Retail: $3,000-5,000
$800-$1,800
Perfect for: Bistros, cafés, small restaurants
Power: Usually 115V (some 208V)
30-40 Quart Mixers
Retail: $5,000-8,000
$1,200-$2,800
Perfect for: The sweet spot - bakery power, restaurant size
Power: 208V 3-phase typical
60 Quart Mixers
Retail: $8,000-12,000
$2,000-$4,500
Perfect for: Bakeries, pizza shops, high volume
Power: 208V 3-phase required
80+ Quart Mixers
Retail: $12,000-20,000
$3,000-$6,000
Perfect for: Commercial bakeries, commissaries
Power: 208V/240V 3-phase
🏆 Brand Value Analysis
| Brand | Avg. Auction Price | % of Retail | Reliability | Parts Availability | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | $1,800-4,500 | 45-55% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent | All metal internals, legendary durability |
| Globe | $1,200-3,000 | 40-50% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Solid mid-range option, good value |
| Vollrath | $1,000-2,500 | 35-45% | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good | Commercial grade, newer to mixer market |
| Avantco | $600-1,500 | 30-40% | ⭐⭐⭐ | Fair | Belt-driven but decent QOL features |
| Generic/Import | $400-1,000 | 25-35% | ⭐⭐ | Poor | Proceed with caution |
⚙️ Technical Deep Dive: What Really Matters
Drive System: The Heart of Your Mixer
Gear-Driven (Premium): Direct mechanical connection, no belts to replace. Found in Hobart and high-end models. Can handle decades of abuse.
Belt-Driven (Standard): Requires belt replacement every 2-3 years ($150-300). More common in value brands. Fine for lighter duty.
Pro tip: Turn the planetary by hand - in gear-driven units, you'll feel resistance as it turns the motor. Free-spinning = broken transmission.
The Pizza Shop Problem
Power Requirements Reality Check
| Size | Typical Power | Installation Cost | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-20 Qt | 115V standard | $0 (plug and play) | Some Hobart HL-200s are 208V single-phase |
| 30-40 Qt | 208V 3-phase | $500-1,500 | Check your building's power! |
| 60+ Qt | 208V/240V 3-phase | $1,000-2,000 | May need electrical upgrades |
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Use this checklist when inspecting mixers at auction preview:
Critical Inspection Points
- Planetary gear engagement - No "slop" or play when wiggling the shaft
- Bowl lift mechanism - Smooth operation, holds position under load
- All safety interlocks functional (bowl guard must stop mixer)
- Check for oil leaks around transmission housing
- Listen for grinding or unusual noises at all speeds
- Verify all speeds work (don't just test speed 1)
- Attachment hub - No excessive wear or damage to pins
Red Flags - Walk Away If You See:
- Free-spinning planetary (broken transmission)
- Oil residue on or below unit (seal failure)
- Burnt smell or blackened grease (overheated)
- Missing safety guards (expensive to replace)
- Heavily worn attachment hub (indicates extreme use)
- First year of major redesign (working out kinks)
💰 Attachment Values & What You Really Need
Standard Package (Usually Included):
Flat Beater/Paddle: General mixing - $75-150 if missing
Wire Whip: Whipping cream, eggs - $100-200 if missing
Dough Hook: Bread, pizza dough - $100-250 if missing
Specialty Attachments (Add Value):
Pastry Knife: Pie dough, biscuits - $200-400
Wing Whip: Delicate items - $150-300
Bowl Scraper: Reduces labor - $250-500
📈 Market Insights: Why 30-40 Qt Mixers Are Gold
Based on our auction data, 30-40 quart mixers offer the best value proposition:
- Power of a 60 qt in a smaller footprint
- Handle full dinner service prep without multiple batches
- Lower power requirements than 60 qt units
- Faster turnover at auction (high demand)
- Sweet spot for restaurants expanding from 20 qt
🎯 Success Story: Mike's Bakery Expansion
"We bought three Globe SP40 mixers at PCI for $1,400 each. New they're $5,500. With the savings, we could afford a spiral mixer too. Now we're doing wholesale accounts we couldn't handle before. The 40 qt size is perfect - not too big for cakes, not too small for our bread production."
Total Savings: $12,300 (74% off retail)
🧮 Mixer ROI Calculator
Calculate Your Savings & Payback Period
🔧 Hidden Costs & Maintenance Reality
| Maintenance Item | Frequency | DIY Cost | Pro Cost | Can't Ignore Because... |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grease planetary | Monthly | $5 | $75 | Prevents $2,000 transmission rebuild |
| Replace belts (belt-driven) | 2-3 years | $50 | $250 | Dead mixer = lost revenue |
| Attachment maintenance | Quarterly | $20 | $100 | Worn attachments damage planetary |
| Annual service | Yearly | N/A | $400-600 | Catches problems before catastrophic failure |
Budget for These Potential Repairs:
Transmission rebuild: $1,500-2,500
Motor replacement: $800-1,500
Control board (digital models): $400-800
Complete attachment set: $400-800
📊 2025 Market Trends & Predictions
What's Driving Mixer Prices:
- Ghost kitchen closures flooding market with lightly-used equipment
- Supply chain improvements bringing more imports (caution advised)
- Increased demand for 30-40 qt units (restaurant right-sizing)
- Hobart parts availability keeping older units valuable
Price Predictions for 2025:
20 Qt units: Stable pricing, high demand from small operators
30-40 Qt units: Expect 10-15% price increase by Q3
60 Qt units: Oversupply from closures, prices down 10-20%
80+ Qt units: Specialty market, highly variable
🔥 Current Mixer Inventory at PCI Auctions
We typically have 15-25 commercial mixers available each week
Recent additions include Hobart Legacy series, Globe SP models, and complete bakery packages
View Current Mixers →💡 Pro tip: Set up alerts for "Hobart," "mixer," or your preferred brand to get first access
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's the real difference between a 20 qt and 30 qt mixer?
More than just bowl size. 30 qt units have significantly more powerful motors and can handle heavier doughs. A 20 qt making pizza dough is working hard; a 30 qt is just warming up. The extra capacity means fewer batches and less wear on the machine.
Q: Should I buy a mixer that needs minor repairs?
Depends on the repair. New belts? Easy $50 fix. Transmission noise? That's a $2,000 gamble. Always factor in worst-case repair costs. If auction price + potential repairs > 60% of retail, keep looking.
Q: How do I verify the voltage before buying?
Check the data plate on the machine, not the auction listing. Sellers sometimes guess wrong. If you need 3-phase power installed, budget $1,000-2,000 for electrical work. Some units can be rewired from 208V to 240V by a qualified electrician.
Q: What about spiral mixers vs planetary mixers?
Different tools for different jobs. Spiral mixers excel at one thing: bread dough. Planetary mixers are versatile workhorses. Interestingly, planetary mixers often fetch higher prices at auction due to their versatility, despite spiral mixers costing more new.