Starting a bakery business requires careful consideration of the tools and equipment needed to produce high-quality baked goods efficiently.

From kneading dough to baking and proofing, each step in the process demands specialized equipment.

Let’s delve into the essential commercial baking equipment you need to start a commercial bakery in Kenya.

1. Dough Mixer

How it Works: Dough mixers are indispensable in the bakery world. They combine flour, water, yeast, and other ingredients to create a homogeneous dough. There are various types, including spiral mixers and planetary mixers, each suited for different dough types.

Benefits: Dough mixers save time and effort, ensuring consistent and thoroughly mixed dough. This consistency leads to better-quality baked goods and allows bakers to handle larger quantities.

2. Dough Sheeter

How it Works: Dough sheeters roll out dough to a consistent thickness, crucial for items like croissants and puff pastry. They typically consist of two rollers that flatten and elongate the dough.

Benefits: Achieving uniform thickness is challenging by hand, making dough sheeters essential for creating laminated pastries with layers that bake evenly.

3. Planetary/Food Mixer

How it Works: Planetary mixers have a versatile design, with a stationary bowl and a beater that moves around the bowl. They can handle various tasks, from whipping cream to mixing batter.

Benefits: These mixers are adaptable and efficient, making them ideal for a range of baking applications. They contribute to the overall flexibility of a bakery.

4. Convection Oven

How it Works: Convection ovens use fans to circulate hot air, ensuring even baking. They are highly efficient and provide consistent results.

Benefits: Faster cooking times, even browning, and reduced energy consumption are key advantages of convection ovens. These features contribute to a higher production capacity and quality output.

5. Pizza Oven

How it Works: Pizza ovens use radiant heat to cook pizzas quickly at high temperatures. They can be gas or electric, depending on the model.

Benefits: Rapid cooking times and the ability to achieve a crispy crust make pizza ovens essential for any bakery offering pizzas or artisan flatbreads.

6. Rectangular Baking Tin / Round Baking Tins

How they Work: Baking tins provide the structure for various baked goods, shaping them during the baking process.

Benefits: Tins ensure uniformity in product size and shape. They are essential for creating a consistent product, be it cakes, bread, or other baked treats.

7. Electric Proofer

How it Works: Electric proofers create a controlled environment for dough to rise before baking. They maintain a warm and humid atmosphere.

Benefits: Consistent proofing is crucial for the texture and flavor of bread. Electric proofers offer precise control over the rising process.

8. Combi Steamer Electric

How it Works: Combining steam and convection cooking, combi steamers offer versatility in baking, roasting, and steaming.

Benefits: These ovens provide precise control over humidity levels, resulting in perfectly baked goods with a crisp crust and moist interior.

9. Aluminium Baking Tray

How it Works: Baking trays provide a surface for baking a variety of items, from cookies to pastries.

Benefits: Durable and easy to clean, aluminium baking trays are a staple in any bakery. They contribute to efficient baking and easy product removal.

10. Single Deck Oven / Double Deck Oven / Three Deck Oven

How they Work: Deck ovens use stone or steel decks to bake multiple items simultaneously. They are available in single, double, or triple-deck configurations.

Benefits: Deck ovens are space-efficient and allow for different baking temperatures on each deck. This versatility is valuable for handling diverse baked goods.