If you plan to use your cement mixer often, a barrel mixer will be easier on your back. How often you plan to use your cement mixer will play a significant part in choosing the best machine, for several reasons. For most homeowners and DIYers, an electric mixer is best as it will require very little maintenance, while pros might prefer a heavy-duty gas-powered mixer. They come in both electric and gas-powered options. These mixers are ideal for smaller batches or mixing concrete in remote locations that might prohibit a larger mixer.īarrel mixers have rotating barrels that incorporate water and concrete mix by rotating, which flops the dry mixture into the water. Insert the paddle into a drum filled with concrete mix and water and start mixing. Handheld mixers are essentially large, dual-handled, heavy-duty electric drills that accept long mixing paddles. But cement mixers can do the job faster and lessen the chances of unmixed cement (which will result in a poor finish and less strength).
Sure, an old-fashioned shovel might work for mixing concrete.
You need to know what style, size, and weight machine might work best for your needs, as well as power and capacity, so keep reading to bone up. What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cement MixerĬhoosing the best cement mixer requires a solid foundation of knowledge. Each would actually be concrete, but the terms are so interchangeable that manufacturers use “cement” to describe their mixers. And note that mortar, which is used between bricks and blocks to secure them in place, is a mixture of cement, water, and sand (no gravel).īy this definition, there are no cement sidewalks, cement slabs, or cement mixers. Gravel also increases the strength of the cured concrete. The addition of gravel and stone lessens the amount of Portland cement required, which is often more expensive and less readily available than gravel. In general, the cement referred to in concrete is Portland cement, which is usually derived from limestone.Ĭoncrete is an aggregate made up of water, stone or gravel, and Portland cement other bonding agents can also be added for repair scenarios. Cement comes as a fine powder that hardens via a chemical reaction with the addition of water. While it’s a common misconception, there is a difference between cement and concrete.Ĭement is a binder that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials, and as such, is a key ingredient in concrete, an aggregate of several different ingredients.
Most folks use the terms “cement” and “concrete” interchangeably, and to some degree, so will this guide. BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Kobalt 4-cu ft 0.5-HP Cement Mixer.BEST HANDHELD: VIVOHOME 110V 1600W Electric Handheld Cement Mixer.
BEST BUDGET: F2C Pro 1600W Adjustable 7 Speed Cement Mixer.
This guide will help you understand how to pick a machine that suits your usage-as well as why the following are considered among the best cement mixers on the market. Using the best cement mixer can cut that time dramatically while also conserving your energy for the project at hand. While you could mix concrete with a shovel in a wheelbarrow or mason’s tub, incorporating the water and cement mix can be a tedious, tiring process.
But unless you’re using the best cement mixer for your particular project, preparing cement mix can be daunting. From building decks to erecting a new mailbox, concrete helps to ensure your project stays safe, durable, and securely anchored. There are lots of DIY-friendly projects that require a bit of concrete work.