Efficient dough pumps are crucial to a successful commercial baking enterprise. The machines smoothly push dough for breads, rolls and cookies through your baking system. If your business, a local bakery, school or hospital kitchen, restaurant chain or industrial bakery, produces its own baked goods, a dough pump is a must.

For any bakery operation that creates large quantities of items daily, a dough pump keeps whole baking process on track and on time. The device is essential for high-volume production. Look for machines that treat the dough gently, reduce sticking, offer easy cleanup and adhere to Baking Industry Sanitation Standards Committee (BISSC) sanitary standards. As your business looks for a dough pumps provider, consider the following things:

1. Look for clean-in-place dough pumps that need no disassembly.

2. Dough pumps with direct flow that work without vacuum assist offer easier maintenance.

3. Refurbished dough pumps are available and can be cost effective.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the features you need in dough pumps

Certain dough pump features can make a difference. Look for one with an open design that lets the dough flow directly through the system. This encourages less sticking and lower dough temperatures. Pumps with belts and pulleys can mean additional cleaning and maintenance.

I recommend: Check the American Society of Baking website for information on bakery equipment, including a dough pumps provider category. Shaffer Manufacturing's dough pumps come in a variety of sizes with different pressure capacities. The various pressures are needed for different types of baked goods.

Consider buying dough pumps as part of a complete baking system

For high-volume baking, you should consider dough pumps as part of a complete system. A system would include mixers, pumps, ovens and conveyors. The dough pumps in a system will be calibrated to work with other components in the system.

I recommend: Check out AMF Bakery's U2 Dough Pump. It's available in a variety of hopper and drive sizes to fit existing systems and is designed to efficiently transfer a wide range of dough types. Purchase the Twin Auger Extrusion Pump from The Henry Group if your business does high-volume baking. The output rate of continuous dough flow is adjustable from seven to 80 pounds per minute. A device can be customized to your specifications.

Find refurbished dough pumps to add to your bakery system

Refurbished dough pumps will save your business money as it ramps up its system. Many dough pumps providers and manufacturers carry rebuilt machines. Locate them online or call your equipment supplier's representative to inquire about their inventory.

I recommend: Go to Peerless for remanufactured dough pumps and other equipment. Take a look at its inventory. Empire Baking Equipment offers rebuilt bakery equipment. Check its website regularly, as it updates offerings often.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to discuss warranty terms on any used dough pumps your business purchases.
• •  If dough pumps are a new piece of equipment for your business, ask suppliers if there's one in operation nearby that you can look at. Or check whether they are exhibiting at upcoming food equipment or bakery equipment trade shows.