mark
Neophyte
Posts: 17
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Post by mark on Nov 12, 2015 9:09:00 GMT -5
Thanks Ben,
So I'm guessing 5 ft of links would make more than one belt? Maybe 4-5? Got any idea how many hours of grinding a belt will last?
Thanks, Mark
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Post by Thomas on Nov 12, 2015 22:50:47 GMT -5
Hi Mark,
I just purchased the link belt that Ben indicated. I have two Premier 1.5 L grinders but just recently bought the second one. For me, it took 24 links to make the appropriate belt for my grinder. I tried 23 but could not get the pulley screwed back in as the belt was just too tight. I have not run a batch of chocolate yet but I plan to this weekend. At 24 links, I can make exactly four belts out of the link belt that I received. I've had my first grinder for just over a year and have run 38 batches of different sizes. I put nibs directly into the grinder so it works pretty hard if I do not add any cocoa butter. I did not have any problems with the existing belts. I just bought the link belts as they should be better. However, I have replaced the gears in this grinder and they were worn down a lot. The grinder was starting to be a bit more noisy and when I looked inside, the metal gear teeth had sharp points. I think your gears will wear out long before the link belt.
Regards,
Thomas
Update: it should be 23 links not 24. It will fit.
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Post by Ben on Nov 13, 2015 8:54:27 GMT -5
I'm not sure how long the link belt will last. I've put them on all of my grinders since I started. I had one CocoaTown Deluxe melanger that I ran for 3+ years on one belt and a Santha Spectra 40 that I ran for two (I sold it after that, and it is still happily making chocolate down in the Domincan Republic using the same belt). So, Thomas's comment that the belt will outlast the gears sounds pretty accurate.
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Post by jayakumar on Nov 29, 2015 0:55:10 GMT -5
I've made pure pistachio paste in the Premier. I roasted the pistachios and added no oil and had a smooth paste in 2-3 hours. I've also done roasted hazelnuts with milk chocolate for homemade gianduja. That's interesting. Do you mean one can just take the roasted nuts and drop them straight into the Premier Wonder wet stone grinder and get a smooth butter out in 2-3 hours? I had previously assumed one would have to crush or use a blender to mince up the nuts first. Thanks.
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boca
Neophyte
Posts: 15
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Post by boca on Nov 29, 2015 7:24:36 GMT -5
Still struggling with the belt situation. My brother in law drives a taxi here in Costa Rica and was able to find a couple replacement belts while I waited for the ones from The Chocolate Alchemy. They BOTH wore out in just a couple batches each (I may have had them too tight??). Then the belts arrived from the Choc Alch and they were the wrong size. I have had to buy a new machine to get by and expect my belt links to arrive in about 2 weeks. If you live far from the comforts of the good old USA, have extra belts on hand. Hopefully the link belts will solve the problems. "Life in the Tropics".
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gap
Apprentice
Posts: 390
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Post by gap on Nov 29, 2015 16:00:09 GMT -5
I've made pure pistachio paste in the Premier. I roasted the pistachios and added no oil and had a smooth paste in 2-3 hours. I've also done roasted hazelnuts with milk chocolate for homemade gianduja. That's interesting. Do you mean one can just take the roasted nuts and drop them straight into the Premier Wonder wet stone grinder and get a smooth butter out in 2-3 hours? I had previously assumed one would have to crush or use a blender to mince up the nuts first. Thanks. I did run them through a blender first - just a normal home food processor (not a commercial kitchen food processor)
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Post by eanbean on Dec 5, 2015 21:28:00 GMT -5
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Post by eanbean on Dec 5, 2015 21:30:17 GMT -5
Still struggling with the belt situation. My brother in law drives a taxi here in Costa Rica and was able to find a couple replacement belts while I waited for the ones from The Chocolate Alchemy. They BOTH wore out in just a couple batches each (I may have had them too tight??). Then the belts arrived from the Choc Alch and they were the wrong size. I have had to buy a new machine to get by and expect my belt links to arrive in about 2 weeks. If you live far from the comforts of the good old USA, have extra belts on hand. Hopefully the link belts will solve the problems. "Life in the Tropics". You can get the Chocolate Maker Upgrade with the Polyurethane belt, new gears and fully sealed ball bearings at indichocolate.com/collections/chocolate-making-machines as well as.
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mark
Neophyte
Posts: 17
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Post by mark on Dec 6, 2015 11:18:26 GMT -5
Hello,
I am buying from a source I found on the Instructables. Will let you know how it works. His email is:
bhavani@dtnj.com
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boca
Neophyte
Posts: 15
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Post by boca on Dec 6, 2015 12:46:34 GMT -5
Mark, you are buying "what" from bhavani@dtnj.com ?
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Post by eanbean on Dec 10, 2015 0:41:20 GMT -5
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Post by lyndon on Oct 19, 2016 11:01:47 GMT -5
What are the "upgraded" gears you sell eanbean? I just had all the teeth fall off one of my machines, I've been thinking about having a metal one made to replace the plastic one.
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Post by eanbean on Mar 29, 2017 19:03:20 GMT -5
Hi Lyndon,
Apologies that I didn't see this post earlier.
A lot of material research was done on both the belts (which are now Kevlar) and gears. Although the gears may look similar to the original gears in Grinders they are more robust materials in the upgraded gears that hold up a lot longer.
Erin
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Post by sirhumphreyappleby on Oct 6, 2017 15:35:56 GMT -5
I am considering the option of purchasing a Premier Wonder, and upgrading components when (or if) necessary.
Is there a complete list of upgrades made to the Chocolate Refiner?
I see there is an "Upgrade Kit" available, however this only seems to include components for the drive mechanism. Other known differences include an upgraded stone holder mechanism and thermal cut off switch. Is there a more complete kit available?
Given the change in holder mechanism, are the stones compatible between the two holders?
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Post by Thomas on Oct 6, 2017 22:22:56 GMT -5
I am considering the option of purchasing a Premier Wonder, and upgrading components when (or if) necessary. Is there a complete list of upgrades made to the Chocolate Refiner? I see there is an "Upgrade Kit" available, however this only seems to include components for the drive mechanism. Other known differences include an upgraded stone holder mechanism and thermal cut off switch. Is there a more complete kit available? Given the change in holder mechanism, are the stones compatible between the two holders? If you purchase the Premier Chocolate Refiner (red color) there are no upgrades required. It already has the better components.
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