In every kitchen, a dough extruder is an absolutely essential tool. You may already have an idea about how they work. Basically, a dough machine contains a drum containing a large number of tiny holes. As the dough passes through these holes, the air is trapped inside and the ingredients are cooked.
Before proceeding to discharge the dough into dough extruders, most makers advise that one inspect the consistency of their cookies: it should be smooth and not sticky, neither too fine nor extremely thick. Remember that one should approximately 400g of liquid (dough, water, cookie mix, etc.) for every pound of flour.
What is the role of dough extruder?
Some dough extruder comes with different functions. For example, there is a type which can be used for baking shortbread (also called pocket cakes), and then there are those designed for producing layers of dough with a fall-like texture and a firm surface (hence the name “fall-resistant”). The latter kinds of machines can also use the dough in cookie presses, which is perfect for making delicious cookies that are not so firm and doughy. The uses of a dough extruder depend on its features and design.
A Vogel machine is another very useful in the bakery, because it can be used for cutting dough and cutting trays in volume. If you are familiar with bakers’ tricks, you will know that a Vogel machine has a large bed surrounded by a large cooling fan. In other words, a Vogel is a twin-screw extrusion. One advantage of a twin-screw extrusion machine is the ability to cut trays without having to grind or roll the edges of the trays. Vogels may also be used to create different-sized holes for filling trays, thus creating a variety of interesting designs.
One more dough extruder for the bakery is the Perkins machine, which is particularly designed for biscuits, rolls, and biscuits with various fillings. It has a very large range of different sizes and different features. In addition, the biscuits produced by the Perkins can have a crusty texture or a soft one, depending upon how it is made and according to personal preference. Many people who bake at home also prefer Perkins over other brands, perhaps because they are easy to clean and maintain.
Finally, a Hopper is a very useful dough extruder. They can help you cut your dough into different sizes. In addition, if you have a heavy-duty dough chunker (which is an optional feature), it can help you make larger batches of dough, which will save you money over time. Some people also like to use hoop dough chunks, which can be great for making mini cakes.
