How to Use a Cement Mixer

Co-authored by Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Last Updated: April 17, 2023

Hoping to tackle a big project with a cement mixer? Cement mixers, also known as concrete mixers, allow you to mix large amounts of cement, sand, or gravel with water throughout a project without wasting your time and energy. We've outlined everything you need to know about this handy, time-saving tool, so you can get to work right away.

1

Pour approximately 1 gallon (3.79 L) of water into the concrete mixer.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a0\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-1.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If there is too much water added, the cement mix will come out too thin, become unmanageable, and not dry properly. If there is not enough water, the mix will become too thick, it will not combine thoroughly, and will become unusable. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

2

Open the cement mix bag from the top.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-2.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

^{[2]
X
Research source}

3

Plug in and turn on the concrete mixer.

Download Article

The machine will begin mixing the powder cement mix and the water together.

4

Allow the mixer to continue mixing.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-3.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
Make sure that all of the water is thoroughly mixed with the powder. Leave the cement mixer on as long as necessary to keep the cement moist and manageable. Because the cement mixer's drum is constantly rotating and the mix is continually moving, it will not able to settle and begin drying leaving it pliable. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you are working in an area that does not have power outlets nearby, you can use a generator to run your electric equipment or take the green approach and use a solar-powered cement mixer.

5

Turn the concrete mixer off and pour the concrete.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-5.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Most cement mixers will tip and turn to the appropriate location in order to do this with ease. ^{[4]
X
Research source}

6

Shovel the cement.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-6.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

7

Repeat the previous steps as needed.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-7.jpg\/aid1407802-v4-728px-Use-a-Cement-Mixer-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What types of safety equipment should you always wear when working with concrete?

Gerber Ortiz-Vega
Masonry Specialist
Gerber Ortiz-Vega is a Masonry Specialist and the Founder of GO Masonry LLC, a masonry company based in Northern Virginia. Gerber specializes in providing brick and stone laying services, concrete installations, and masonry repairs. Gerber has over four years of experience running GO Masonry and over ten years of general masonry work experience. He earned a BA in Marketing from the University of Mary Washington in 2017.

Gerber Ortiz-Vega

Masonry Specialist

Expert Answer

I recommend wearing safety glasses, gloves, and a mask with ventilation. When you're mixing mortar or concrete, it can produce some chemicals, which you can breathe in. Also wear jeans because if you wear shorts and you get some mortar or cement on your skin, it might erode your skin.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

What are the types of concrete mixers?

Community Answer

Hand, stick, 2x4, garden rake, garden hoe, shovel, barrel mixer and cement truck.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5
Question

How long should cement rest after mixing in a mixer before pouring for my project?

Community Answer

You do not let it rest. You can pour the concrete into the mold right away. You must let the concrete rest in the mold after you have done the entire area (this will let the bleed water evaporate).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Be sure to set up the cement mixer near the construction site in order to more easily transport the wet cement to the site and be able to make several trips in limited amount of time when necessary.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If the cement mix is still too thick after allowing the mixer to turn several times, add a little bit of water at a time until the mix reaches the consistency you desire.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

1 gallon (3.79 L) water
Cement mixer
Cement mix
Wheelbarrow
Shovel

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Log in

How to Use a Cement Mixer

Steps

Pour approximately 1 gallon (3.79 L) of water into the concrete mixer.

Open the cement mix bag from the top.

Plug in and turn on the concrete mixer.

Allow the mixer to continue mixing.

Turn the concrete mixer off and pour the concrete.

Shovel the cement.

Repeat the previous steps as needed.

Expert Q&A

Tips

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories