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Post by 77anne77 on Nov 13, 2018 19:04:29 GMT -5
Hello Everyone, I'm new to the group and am in the process of establishing a chocolate business. I currently own a Premier Chocolate Refiner with the Tilt and am considering replacing it with the Spectra 11. I would love input from the chocolate community in your experiences with the Spectra 11. Specifically, what are the technical difficulties or issues while using the Spectra 11? I'm asking because I have a lot of issues with the Premier. Based on the posts on this forum, other owners of the Premier also face similar issues. Thank you in advance for your shares. I really appreciate it.
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Post by mark on Nov 13, 2018 20:27:51 GMT -5
I have been running several Spectra 11s 24 x 7 for several years and have produced hundreds of kg of chocolate with them. I've had to replace a belt once. Other than that, no issues.
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Post by Chip on Nov 14, 2018 9:44:20 GMT -5
If I may ask, what issues are you having with the Premier?
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Post by 77anne77 on Nov 14, 2018 12:49:16 GMT -5
Thank you Mark! By any chance, did you face any of the below issues with the Spectra 11?
Chip, I'm having the following issues:
1. Both the epoxy in the standard drum and the silicone in the customized drum absorb chocolate, and chocolate cannot be washed off. I consider it a health hazard. I do not feel comfortable using the drums to make chocolate for the public. Bhavani then suggested that the newly designed drum without the adhesive on the surface would be better for cleaning. This drum will not be available to me until 4-6 weeks as it's in production.
2. I'm getting black and gray liquid seeping into the chocolate and seed butter despite replacing the stock stone holder with the stainless steel version. The liquid appears to be coming both from the axles of the stone wheels and from the unpolished side of the stainless steel holder. I view this issue as another health hazard. I was told that the newly designed version of the SS stone holder will solve this issue. Unfortunately, this new version won't be available to me until 4-6 weeks later. 3. Chocolate and seed butter have been seeping into the shaft of the melanger. I've only scaled up to 2 lbs of chocolate and 2.5 lb of seed butter. The side wipers weren't touching the sides of the drum, so that wasn't the cause of food seeping into the melanger. I foresee a countertop mess if I scale up my chocolate production to 10 lbs. I've tried requesting for a customized stainless steel holder without the manufactured hole opening, but so far there's no response regarding that customization. Bhavani insists that the newly designed SS stone holder will solve the problem of food going into the shaft. Based on my observation, the issue lies on the opening of the stone holder. Food goes in and spirals into the shaft of the melanger, dirties the top lock and the shaft, and (this hasn't happened but I foresee it, and I also read your post which confirmed my gut feeling) eventually spills over onto the counter. I was surprised to find out from your post that the chocolate got into the motor. This hastened my search for another melanger. :-)
4. I'm in the process of getting the top lock nut replaced. Tiny amounts of seed butter got wedged in between the plastic of the nut and the metal spring and couldn't be washed off despite hours of soaking the nut in detergent and spraying it with hot water. I already see this issue as a recurring one due to the ease of the food getting into the shaft.
5. I've heard a loud squealing noise while operating the melanger on several occasions but the noise disappeared. I didn't get a chance to address this issue with DCM, but at this point, I'd rather spend time searching for a new melanger. :-)
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Post by Chip on Nov 14, 2018 13:10:12 GMT -5
Check, check, check and check. I have and continue to experience these same issues.
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Post by mark on Nov 15, 2018 1:39:40 GMT -5
Nope, I've not experienced any of those issues.
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Post by 77anne77 on Nov 15, 2018 14:48:11 GMT -5
Thank you Mark!
Chip, I am curious to find out if you've tried the newly designed drum and stainless steel stone holder. This will help me decide whether or not I should even wait for the two to be available to me in about 6 weeks or so.
Thank you both! Your comments are extremely helpful. Happy Holidays!
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Post by Chip on Nov 15, 2018 15:50:46 GMT -5
I have not received nor even heard of the newer drums. I have noticed that the silicone in the drum gets stained by the chocolate, but I don't think it is more than a stain. I don't think it's impregnated with chocolate nor poses a health issue. Unfortunately that same cannot be said of the lip that is around the top of the drum. I don't know if you have noticed it, but a lot of chocolate gets trapped inside the lip and it takes quite a bit of effort to get it out. But, you can't really see in there so you don't know if you have in fact gotten it all out. The lip is not wrapped tightly so that it meets the drum, it is an "open" wrap, more like a bend. Also unfortunately the chocolate invasion of the motor unit and going into the center shaft is still an issue even with the newer style stainless steel stone holder. I have not had the time, nor at this point the energy, to tell Bhavani yet. I did however conduct some experiments for Bhavani and used metal tape to cover the center hole of the stainless steel stone holders. Alas, the chocolate invasion still happened. I am on my third motor unit. The first two were completely contaminated with chocolate, the belts broke, before the belts broke they shredded and put a black fibrous material all over my work bench and the lower motor unit (there were also greasy and when you wiped them up the black went all over and needed to be removed with acetone). The chocolate invaded and bearing which eventually broke it. They did replace both units at no charge to me which speaks to their commitment to customer service. I just ordered a 2nd Premier since I am increasing my production. I however do NOT use any of the stainless steel stone holders, only plastic now, which seem to be working fine. IT seems they have solved the metallic substance coming out of the plastic stone holders. I got 5% off of the 2nd unit, so at $285 I saved $200 over a Santha 11. I have pictures of some of what I went through on this site. You can see the discussion here: chocolatetalk.proboards.com/thread/2083/premier-refiner-bleeding-metallic-substanceHope this helps.
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Post by 77anne77 on Nov 16, 2018 15:06:04 GMT -5
Thank you Chip for all of your comments!
Unfortunately, in my case when I sent a picture to Bhavani of the brown coloring of the silicone lined drum, he stated that cacao butter got absorbed into the sealant, so he suggested that I physically cut out a piece of the discolored silicone and replace it with a new layer of silicone. He provided me with a tube of silicone. I've replaced the lining once and didn't want to go through the time consuming process again as it wasn't practical for me to replace every piece of silicone after every batch of chocolate.
Thank you for reminding me about the lip of the drum. Upon inspection, I noticed some food stuck inside. Luckily I was able to wash it off.
Yes, I've seen your posts on the indicated link. Very helpful and insightful.
I will continue to see what other table top melangers are out there. Thank you Mark and Chip! Happy Thanksgiving! I'm grateful for melangers and chocolate! :-)
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