Small-ish commercial(?) mixer and dispenser recommendations
Discussion
Wasn't sure where to put this really as it's business related but maybe falls under another category like gadgets?
I'm looking for a 'it works even if not meant for it' solution to my problem.
I'm wanting to massively speed up the mixing and dispensing process of liquid chalk without investing thousands into proper machinery as I'm still in a office at home. I'm also not big enough currently to be investing in that kind of machinery either.
Currently my set up is a 25L alcohol container that I make up my alcohol/thickener formula in, leave to mix with some mixing help via a drill and paint mixer attachment.
From there once it's ready, I'll dispense into a 5L jug and add chalk mixing with the same drill and attachment.
Currently my white label orders aren't huge so something like a 50L container should be enough to handle orders.
The closest it'll work solution I've come up with is a milk mixer such as https://www.expondo.co.uk/royal-catering-factory-s... but having spoke to the guys, understandably, they can't advise if it would work or even if it'll last more than a few months with the extra resistance from the thickness.
The tap at the bottom makes it idea to dispense quickly into 250ml bottles though.
Worst case solution I'd be looking at a container with a tap at the bottom so I can get all the formula out without tipping but ideally I'd like to able to just leave it to mix whilst I do other stuff.
Don't suppose anyone has any suggestions for what I'm after?
TIA.
I'm looking for a 'it works even if not meant for it' solution to my problem.
I'm wanting to massively speed up the mixing and dispensing process of liquid chalk without investing thousands into proper machinery as I'm still in a office at home. I'm also not big enough currently to be investing in that kind of machinery either.
Currently my set up is a 25L alcohol container that I make up my alcohol/thickener formula in, leave to mix with some mixing help via a drill and paint mixer attachment.
From there once it's ready, I'll dispense into a 5L jug and add chalk mixing with the same drill and attachment.
Currently my white label orders aren't huge so something like a 50L container should be enough to handle orders.
The closest it'll work solution I've come up with is a milk mixer such as https://www.expondo.co.uk/royal-catering-factory-s... but having spoke to the guys, understandably, they can't advise if it would work or even if it'll last more than a few months with the extra resistance from the thickness.
The tap at the bottom makes it idea to dispense quickly into 250ml bottles though.
Worst case solution I'd be looking at a container with a tap at the bottom so I can get all the formula out without tipping but ideally I'd like to able to just leave it to mix whilst I do other stuff.
Don't suppose anyone has any suggestions for what I'm after?
TIA.
smiffy180 said:
Wasn't sure where to put this really as it's business related but maybe falls under another category like gadgets?
I'm looking for a 'it works even if not meant for it' solution to my problem.
I'm wanting to massively speed up the mixing and dispensing process of liquid chalk without investing thousands into proper machinery as I'm still in a office at home. I'm also not big enough currently to be investing in that kind of machinery either.
Currently my set up is a 25L alcohol container that I make up my alcohol/thickener formula in, leave to mix with some mixing help via a drill and paint mixer attachment.
From there once it's ready, I'll dispense into a 5L jug and add chalk mixing with the same drill and attachment.
Currently my white label orders aren't huge so something like a 50L container should be enough to handle orders.
The closest it'll work solution I've come up with is a milk mixer such as https://www.expondo.co.uk/royal-catering-factory-s... but having spoke to the guys, understandably, they can't advise if it would work or even if it'll last more than a few months with the extra resistance from the thickness.
The tap at the bottom makes it idea to dispense quickly into 250ml bottles though.
Worst case solution I'd be looking at a container with a tap at the bottom so I can get all the formula out without tipping but ideally I'd like to able to just leave it to mix whilst I do other stuff.
Don't suppose anyone has any suggestions for what I'm after?
TIA.
Hmm, tricky. I'm looking for a 'it works even if not meant for it' solution to my problem.
I'm wanting to massively speed up the mixing and dispensing process of liquid chalk without investing thousands into proper machinery as I'm still in a office at home. I'm also not big enough currently to be investing in that kind of machinery either.
Currently my set up is a 25L alcohol container that I make up my alcohol/thickener formula in, leave to mix with some mixing help via a drill and paint mixer attachment.
From there once it's ready, I'll dispense into a 5L jug and add chalk mixing with the same drill and attachment.
Currently my white label orders aren't huge so something like a 50L container should be enough to handle orders.
The closest it'll work solution I've come up with is a milk mixer such as https://www.expondo.co.uk/royal-catering-factory-s... but having spoke to the guys, understandably, they can't advise if it would work or even if it'll last more than a few months with the extra resistance from the thickness.
The tap at the bottom makes it idea to dispense quickly into 250ml bottles though.
Worst case solution I'd be looking at a container with a tap at the bottom so I can get all the formula out without tipping but ideally I'd like to able to just leave it to mix whilst I do other stuff.
Don't suppose anyone has any suggestions for what I'm after?
TIA.
A few questions.
How thick is the end product? - Water? Custard? Treacle? Dough?
When you mix it with the drill, do you just stand and whirr, or do you have to move the attachment around to achieve a good mix?
I'd be tempted to buy a second hand Hobart or similar, with a spade attachment and a whisk: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-hsm-20-in-immacu...
or a bit ratty: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-Ae-200/164431333...
(not my links).
You could quite easily modify it to have a tap on the bottom of the bowl. That link is a 20 quart, but they do all the way up to 200 quarts. Hobart and Crypto peerless are the most sturdy. The Chinese machines have poor (soft) gears inside them and are prone to breakdowns. They're built to mix food and the like so mixing dough all day is well within their remit. The Italian machines are good (but expensive).
If you need a different kind of mixing then a "ribbon mixer" might be better, keep your eyes peeled on the auction sites (bidspotter) and you might be able to snag one for not very much. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ribbon+blender&t=new...
If these are too industrial, then I'd just buy a very large stock pot and rig one of these to the wall: https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/paddle-mixers/cat...
If you're really keen, get a local metal worker to make you up a 316 grade stainless steel vessel, with a slightly rounded bottom edge circumference to avoid your mix getting caught in the "corners" and have a ribbon type mixer made up affixed. It won't pass an HSE visit, but it'll do in your garage for now.
Edited by Radio on Wednesday 23 December 19:15
Radio said:
Hmm, tricky.
A few questions.
How thick is the end product? - Water? Custard? Treacle? Dough?
When you mix it with the drill, do you just stand and whirr, or do you have to move the attachment around to achieve a good mix?
I'd be tempted to buy a second hand Hobart or similar, with a spade attachment and a whisk: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-hsm-20-in-immacu...
or a bit ratty: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-Ae-200/164431333...
(not my links).
You could quite easily modify it to have a tap on the bottom of the bowl. That link is a 20 quart, but they do all the way up to 200 quarts. Hobart and Crypto peerless are the most sturdy. The Chinese machines have poor (soft) gears inside them and are prone to breakdowns. They're built to mix food and the like so mixing dough all day is well within their remit. The Italian machines are good (but expensive).
If you need a different kind of mixing then a "ribbon mixer" might be better, keep your eyes peeled on the auction sites (bidspotter) and you might be able to snag one for not very much. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ribbon+blender&t=new...
If these are too industrial, then I'd just buy a very large stock pot and rig one of these to the wall: https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/paddle-mixers/cat...
If you're really keen, get a local metal worker to make you up a 316 grade stainless steel vessel, with a slightly rounded bottom edge circumference to avoid your mix getting caught in the "corners" and have a ribbon type mixer made up affixed. It won't pass an HSE visit, but it'll do in your garage for now.
Just realised I posted the wrong link on the OP. A few questions.
How thick is the end product? - Water? Custard? Treacle? Dough?
When you mix it with the drill, do you just stand and whirr, or do you have to move the attachment around to achieve a good mix?
I'd be tempted to buy a second hand Hobart or similar, with a spade attachment and a whisk: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-hsm-20-in-immacu...
or a bit ratty: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobart-Ae-200/164431333...
(not my links).
You could quite easily modify it to have a tap on the bottom of the bowl. That link is a 20 quart, but they do all the way up to 200 quarts. Hobart and Crypto peerless are the most sturdy. The Chinese machines have poor (soft) gears inside them and are prone to breakdowns. They're built to mix food and the like so mixing dough all day is well within their remit. The Italian machines are good (but expensive).
If you need a different kind of mixing then a "ribbon mixer" might be better, keep your eyes peeled on the auction sites (bidspotter) and you might be able to snag one for not very much. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ribbon+blender&t=new...
If these are too industrial, then I'd just buy a very large stock pot and rig one of these to the wall: https://www.screwfix.com/c/tools/paddle-mixers/cat...
If you're really keen, get a local metal worker to make you up a 316 grade stainless steel vessel, with a slightly rounded bottom edge circumference to avoid your mix getting caught in the "corners" and have a ribbon type mixer made up affixed. It won't pass an HSE visit, but it'll do in your garage for now.
Edited by Radio on Wednesday 23 December 19:15
Was meant to be this: https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/static-milk-mixer.h...
Thickness wise is currently like a thin custard but I'm improving the formula which if it goes ahead is more of a thick custard.
Because the container isn't massive I'll go around the edges rather than just letting it sit in the middle to avoid it spilling out over the edges but if it was taller or I used less formula I could just let it sit and spin.
They all look like great suggestions, the ribbon mixer I think is more what I'd need for a industrial application, if I can find one small enough I could look at a shed to store.
That's all great though thanks
sunbeam alpine said:
Might be worth looking at an old milk tank from a dairy farm. They also have mixing paddles. We have a couple which we use for mixing spray products. I won't be down the yard until next week, but I'll take some pics and post them.
Awesome, thank you. I'll have a look into them!
Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff