The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Bakery Equipment
If you’re running a bakery or thinking about starting one, you already know that the equipment you choose plays a huge role in how your business runs. Whether it’s getting consistent bakes, making dough quickly, or simply keeping up with customer demand, the right bakery equipment makes all the difference.
But with so many machines on the market and a thousand opinions floating around, it can feel overwhelming.
That’s where we come in.
At Vanrooy Machinery, we’ve spent decades helping bakers choose the right bakery equipment, troubleshoot issues, and scale their businesses with confidence. In this guide, we’re diving into the common questions bakery owners ask and giving you honest, practical advice to help you make smarter equipment decisions that will best suite your business.
Let’s start with the basics: what kind of bakery equipment do you actually need?
Every bakery is different, depending on what you produce, how much space you have, and how many people you serve daily. Some bakeries can’t live without a high-capacity deck oven, while others rely on convection ovens for pastries and small goods.
The Salva Solaris Modular Deck Oven delivers high-quality artisan baking with ceramic heating elements and a Smart Heating System that optimises efficiency by alternating ceiling and floor heat.
It’s available in a wide range of sizes (from 2.89 sqm to 13.98 sqm) and configurations (3, 4, or 5 chambers with 1 or 2 doors), with an optional full belt width setter loader for seamless operation.
As the industry’s first deck oven with a 5-year warranty, it sets a new standard in reliability and performance.
The Salva Kwik Co Convection Oven is designed for professional kitchens, retail bakeries, and cafés.
Available in various configurations, including 5-tray, 9-tray and stacked options, it delivers exceptional consistency, durability, and performance for any baking environment.
The Salva Kwik Co features a high-performance steam injection system for superior crust and texture, plus a cool-touch double-glazed door with thermal bridge technology for safety and efficiency.
How Do We Choose The Right Bakery Mixers?
The same goes for mixers. Some bakers swear by spiral mixers for dough consistency, while others might prefer a planetary mixer for versatility across doughs, creams, and batters. It’s not about what’s trendy, it’s about what fits your workflow.
The Escher M Premium Series is a fixed bowl spiral dough mixer designed specifically to improve your production quality and time parameters.
The Premium Line was created for intensive use with stiffer doughs whilst featuring the Premium drive system and dual belt resulting in more power being delivered to the spiral tool.
The capacity range is from 40kg to 240kg dough weight.
The Tekno Stamap C-Line range of Planetary Mixers has been specifically designed with reliability and constancy in mind.
This mixer is designed for confectionery applications, featuring precise work cycles, variable speed control, and simple operation with minimal maintenance.
Built with a heavy-duty gearbox, stainless steel bowl, and essential attachments, it comes in sizes from 10L to 120L, including benchtop and large-capacity models.
And when it comes to provers, dough dividers, dough rounders, or dough sheeters, the key is to find equipment that does the job efficiently without overcomplicating your setup.
A machine should feel like part of the team, not a daily struggle.
We stock a wide range of ovens, dough mixers, and dough processing equipment that’s ready to meet those demands. Explore our bakery equipment range here.
If you’re not sure what suits your bakery, that’s okay. Reach out to us, and we can walk through it together. We’ve helped many businesses, from brand-new micro-bakeries to large-scale production kitchens, figure out the best way forward.
I've Got A Small Footprint, Does That Matter?
Not every bakery has a massive floor plan. Many of our clients are working with tight footprints and need to be smart about how they use space. That’s where multifunctional or compact equipment can be a game-changer.
Looking to optimise your setup? Our range of compact machines, including dough dividers and moulders, can help you make the most of your space without sacrificing output.
It’s also worth considering energy-efficient options. Power bills can eat into your margins, so investing in machines that do more with less energy can pay off in the long run. We’re happy to walk you through some options that suit both your baking style and your budget.
The Fortuna Semi Automatic Dough Divider Rounder is globally recognised as the most consistent and low-maintenance bun rounder on the market.
It delivers precise, reliable results by effortlessly shaping dough using alternating small and large movements.
Designed for versatility, it accommodates a wide range of dough weights to suit various bakery applications.
The Merand Armor Moulder is expertly engineered to consistently produce traditional and pointed-end baguettes with exceptional precision and efficiency.
Its versatile design also allows for the perfect moulding of a variety of products, including loaves and flatbreads.
With the capacity to handle dough pieces ranging from 50g to 2kg and an impressive output of up to 2000 pieces per hour, it’s ideal for bakeries seeking high performance and flexibility.
Okay, I've Chosen My Equipment. What Do I Do Now?
Equipment is an investment, and like any good investment, you want it to last. Regular maintenance keeps everything running smoothly and saves you from surprise breakdowns mid-service (which nobody wants).
We always recommend setting up a maintenance routine. Clean your machines properly, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and don’t ignore the little noises or quirks that pop up. They usually mean something’s going on under the hood.
And if something goes wrong? You want to know you’ve got support. That’s why we offer ongoing service, technical advice, and spare parts. When something breaks, we’re here to help fix it fast.
One thing we hear a lot: “I bought this machine from a different supplier, and no one showed me how to use it. Will our experience with you be the same?“
That’s a frustrating experience, and it’s one we aim to eliminate. Every machine we install comes with proper training so your team can use it safely and effectively. Because at the end of the day, even the best gear is useless if no one knows how to operate it.
We also provide ongoing support if you hire new staff, expand your range, or just need a refresher. Our job doesn’t stop at installation.
When Should Our Bakery Look To Upgrade Equipment?
If you’re asking yourself whether it’s time to upgrade, it probably is. Maybe your equipment is struggling to keep up, or it’s not producing consistent results anymore. Or maybe you’re scaling your bakery and need something bigger, faster, or more automated.
Upgrading can feel daunting, especially when budgets are tight. But we’re here to make that process easier. We’ll help you weigh the costs, find equipment that matches your output goals, and explore options like leasing or staged upgrades if needed.
What Makes Vanrooy Machinery Different?
We’re more than just an equipment supplier. We partner with bakeries long-term. That means we help you plan your layout, choose machines that will grow with your business, provide installation and training, and support you with service for years to come.
Everything we supply is tested for quality, reliability, and real-world usability. And because we’ve been in the industry for over 40 years, we know what works and what doesn’t. Our focus is always on helping you bake better, not just sell machines.
Running a bakery is hard work, and we want to make it a little easier. Whether you’re fitting out a new space or finally upgrading that ancient mixer, the right equipment can free you up to focus on what really matters: your craft, your team, and your customers.
Got questions? Want help figuring out what your bakery really needs?
Get in touch with the Vanrooy team. We’re here to help you make informed, confident decisions about your equipment, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.
