First impressions and review of the Famag IM-5S Spiral mixer

Elchimi · September 18, 2021, 07:54:39 PM

Quote from: ARenko on September 18, 2021, 06:51:07 PM
Not sure how you get the 10%, but it's $1890 now. Was around $1600.

Pizzagoods may give you 10% off. Totally worth it, exceptional machine built like a tank.

billg · September 19, 2021, 05:27:24 PM

ARenko · September 19, 2021, 08:04:39 PM

Quote from: Elchimi on September 18, 2021, 07:54:39 PM
Pizzagoods may give you 10% off. Totally worth it, exceptional machine built like a tank.

On what basis might they give it to me? Are they on the forum?

Elchimi · September 19, 2021, 08:41:37 PM

Yes he should be here. I'd just email him or get on the phone with him and get a quote

Pasquale Donnarumma
Address: 33160 Aventura FL
M: + 1 (305) 322-7199
E: [email protected]
W: www.pizzagoods.com
YouTube: PizzaGoods

ilya_n · October 14, 2021, 08:32:00 AM

I hate you guys!!!! (in the most loving and respectful way hahahahaha)

Looks like I'll be out of $1700 now while I was ok(ish) with my KA (except for weird noise when it mixes the doughs and sounds like it's gonna die on me)
I have to say this post peaked my interest to look into the spiral mixer closer.

Chau - this was some of the absolutely incredible testing that you performed. Hats off to you!!! So nice to see factual comparisons like this. Keep it up!!!

Question to you guys, is it a concern that Famag's head tilts and the bowl is removable from the reliability perspective? Everyone says that Sunmix is like a tank and I wonder if that's a part of it. Of course the convenience of removing the bowl is attractive for cleaning, dough removal etc. but only if this doesn't jeopardize the life span of the mixer. It is a significant investment...

Off mixer shopping...

ARenko · October 14, 2021, 09:31:22 AM

Quote from: ilya_n on October 14, 2021, 08:32:00 AM
I hate you guys!!!! (in the most loving and respectful way hahahahaha)

Looks like I'll be out of $1700 now while I was ok(ish) with my KA (except for weird noise when it mixes the doughs and sounds like it's gonna die on me)
I have to say this post peaked my interest to look into the spiral mixer closer.

Chau - this was some of the absolutely incredible testing that you performed. Hats off to you!!! So nice to see factual comparisons like this. Keep it up!!!

Question to you guys, is it a concern that Famag's head tilts and the bowl is removable from the reliability perspective? Everyone says that Sunmix is like a tank and I wonder if that's a part of it. Of course the convenience of removing the bowl is attractive for cleaning, dough removal etc. but only if this doesn't jeopardize the life span of the mixer. It is a significant investment...

Off mixer shopping...

There is a no tilt, fixed bowl version in the same size if you're concerned.

Jackie Tran · October 14, 2021, 10:09:43 AM

I've only had mine for 4-5months so I can't speak to it's longevity, but I expect this mixer may outlive me. They are built solid, much more so and beefier than a standard kitchen Aid. In using it 4x a week in the last 4-5 months, there has been about 4 times when I've opted to detach the bowl to wash in the sink. During those times, I've been glad to have the option to do so. The rest of the time I've cleaned it after each use with the bowl attached and the head tilted up and it's easy enough to do so. If I was doing a lot of wet sticky doughs, I think I would lean towards having a detachable bowl.

scott r · October 14, 2021, 10:09:54 AM

I have been using my famag quite a lot for many months and I have zero concern about the removable bowl being an issue down the road. Seems to be built like a tank to me. Its a very simple mechanism that allows the tilt and bowl removal.

ilya_n · October 14, 2021, 05:42:38 PM

Thanks gents! I like the tilt and removable bowl type better... sounds like a non-issue.

Could you validate one thing for me please? I saw on Pleasant Hill Grain that the size of it is:

Dimensions: Arm Down (W x D x H)1 18.7" x 10.2" x 15.3"
Dimensions: Arm Up (W x D x H)1 20.2" x 10.2" x 26"

Looking at pictures (if you face the bowl) it seems that it's deeper and narrower rather than the 20" width the site provides... could you please let me know if it's wider or deeper? I have an available counter space that is WxDxH 17"x22"x23". I want to make sure it would fit there before trying to convince my better half why there will be a tank

Jackie Tran · October 14, 2021, 08:56:22 PM

Here are the measurements for the IM-5S
WDH arm down is 10"x20"x16"
WDH arm up 10x21x26.

It is both deeper and taller than it is wide. It is 10" from side to side.

Hope that helps.

ilya_n · October 14, 2021, 08:57:53 PM

Quote from: Jackie Tran on October 14, 2021, 08:56:22 PM
Here are the measurements for the IM-5S
WDH arm down is 10"x20"x16"
WDH arm up 10x21x26.

It is both deeper and taller than it is wide. It is 10" from side to side.

Hope that helps.

That's what I thought. Thank you for confirmation.

Jackie Tran · October 14, 2021, 09:01:55 PM

That spot you have looks like a perfect fit.

ilya_n · October 15, 2021, 08:25:14 AM

Quote from: Jackie Tran on October 14, 2021, 09:01:55 PM
That spot you have looks like a perfect fit.

Thanks a bunch!!!

ilya_n · October 15, 2021, 08:32:00 AM

I think we have Famag or Pleasant Hill watching this thread lol
The website specs got updated overnight:

Manufacturer Part Number   IM-5SHH
Brand   Famag
Width   Facing control panel, arm down: 18.7"
Depth   Facing control panel, w/bowl: 10.2"
Height   Arm down: 15.25" / Arm up: 26"

It now says "Facing control panel"

It is very helpful though...

ilya_n · October 15, 2021, 09:52:54 AM

Placed an order for the sparkle silver which is on back order but hey - no rush here... will probably take a month or two...

Thanks everyone and especially Chau for such an incredible writeup, review and comparison!!! I will continue to follow for tips and tricks...

Elchimi · October 15, 2021, 11:35:20 AM

How much is the Griletta nowadays?
You got the 10 speed?
Congrats on your purchase

HansB · October 15, 2021, 12:36:09 PM

I still cannot decide between the Famag & Sunmix!

ilya_n · October 15, 2021, 01:08:09 PM

Quote from: Elchimi on October 15, 2021, 11:35:20 AM
How much is the Griletta nowadays?
You got the 10 speed?
Congrats on your purchase

Thank you. I got the IM-5S HH. 1629 shipped. Fixed bowl is significantly cheaper as well.

amolapizza · October 15, 2021, 04:29:20 PM

It's easy to clean out pizza dough, just a scotchbrite and some water and a towel.

A rich dough like brioche is a little more work but quickly done.

Best done before the dough dries on the spiral and bowl!

ilya_n · October 15, 2021, 04:56:55 PM

Quote from: amolapizza on October 15, 2021, 04:29:20 PM
It's easy to clean out pizza dough, just a scotchbrite and some water and a towel.

A rich dough like brioche is a little more work but quickly done.

Best done before the dough dries on the spiral and bowl!

I'm sure it is

Felt like the tilting bowl and HH is an upgrade worth it. Last thing I would want thinking down the road "I wish I had it..."