Post by open on Nov 19, 2021 14:36:26 GMT -5
Hello!
I'm a complete beginner hoping to make my first 1kg batch of bean to bar chocolate very soon and just have a few questions about the equipment and ingredients I'm looking to buy.
I'm currently undecided between purchasing the Premier Wonder 1.5L Compact Wet Grinder (currently £130)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004OPIBV2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_9DQXZJPQ6SNBWKC6S5GX
or the 2L tilting version (currently £134)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006QKSP50/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RD4FT2XBT5FXXC4P5KXT
Aside from the difference in capacity and the ability to tilt, are there any differences in the quality of either machine, and do they both refine chocolate equally well? Which one would you recommend? I understand neither of these machines are necessarily designed to be used continuously for 24-48 hours, but I've seen many people have had success with them, and the refiner would never be without supervision for more than 2-4 hours at any one point so the potential risk of overheating or fire is negligible.
Currently I'm edging towards getting to 2L tilting version but for some reason the plastic base of the 2L version compared to the metal 1.5L base, as well as the almost identical price to the smaller version implies perhaps a lesser quality? If anyone has experience with both of these machines it'd very much appreciate hearing your thoughts.
After reading many of the posts on these forums, I'd love to purchase the upgraded Premier Chocolate Refiner however they don't seem to be widely available in the UK and cost at least $300 from American websites - not including shipping or import costs, which means it would end up costing at least twice as much and take twice as long to arrive.
Not sure I could justifying paying double the price and waiting twice as long if the only upgrades are related to the longevity of the grinder and not the quality of chocolate they produce, especially when I could purchase two 2L tilting wet grinders for the price of one upgraded 8lb chocolate refiner.
Also, does anyone have experience purchasing cacao beans, cacao butter and milk powder through Amazon?
www.amazon.co.uk/Sevenhills-Wholefoods-Organic-Cacao-Beans/dp/B07DL912QK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
www.amazon.co.uk/Sevenhills-Wholefoods-Organic-Butter-Wafers/dp/B00M42369E?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CBGYCDM/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
There's also a UK based company called Nutricraft who sell raw, organic Criollo beans - £15.95/kg - if anyone has any opinions on these beans please let me know!
Currently, the plan is to buy either the 1.5L or 2L Premier grinder, 1kg cacao beans (either Sevenhills Wholefoods or Nutricraft), 1kg cacao butter (again, Sevenhills Wholefoods or Nutricraft), 1kg whole milk powder and 1kg sugar as well as this metal scraper - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003XKIGKU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Q2EGKWQWGZ1FKYRT5R3H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and some polycarbonate moulds from www.homechocolatefactory.com/CTGY/Polycarbonate.html
I'll roast, then crack the beans lightly using a rolling pin, and winnow using a hair dryer and large bowl. Already own a food processor to turn the nibs into cacao liquor (although from what I understand this is an optional step).
When it comes to tempering, I own an immersion circulator (sous vide) to start out, however I plan on learning the art of hand tempering in the future.
Any other recommended purchases or just general advice is greatly appreciated.
Even though I'm only just starting out in this hobby, I've spent hours browsing this forum and it has been an invaluable source of information. So thanks a lot!
Regards
Open
I'm a complete beginner hoping to make my first 1kg batch of bean to bar chocolate very soon and just have a few questions about the equipment and ingredients I'm looking to buy.
I'm currently undecided between purchasing the Premier Wonder 1.5L Compact Wet Grinder (currently £130)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004OPIBV2/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_9DQXZJPQ6SNBWKC6S5GX
or the 2L tilting version (currently £134)
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006QKSP50/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_RD4FT2XBT5FXXC4P5KXT
Aside from the difference in capacity and the ability to tilt, are there any differences in the quality of either machine, and do they both refine chocolate equally well? Which one would you recommend? I understand neither of these machines are necessarily designed to be used continuously for 24-48 hours, but I've seen many people have had success with them, and the refiner would never be without supervision for more than 2-4 hours at any one point so the potential risk of overheating or fire is negligible.
Currently I'm edging towards getting to 2L tilting version but for some reason the plastic base of the 2L version compared to the metal 1.5L base, as well as the almost identical price to the smaller version implies perhaps a lesser quality? If anyone has experience with both of these machines it'd very much appreciate hearing your thoughts.
After reading many of the posts on these forums, I'd love to purchase the upgraded Premier Chocolate Refiner however they don't seem to be widely available in the UK and cost at least $300 from American websites - not including shipping or import costs, which means it would end up costing at least twice as much and take twice as long to arrive.
Not sure I could justifying paying double the price and waiting twice as long if the only upgrades are related to the longevity of the grinder and not the quality of chocolate they produce, especially when I could purchase two 2L tilting wet grinders for the price of one upgraded 8lb chocolate refiner.
Also, does anyone have experience purchasing cacao beans, cacao butter and milk powder through Amazon?
www.amazon.co.uk/Sevenhills-Wholefoods-Organic-Cacao-Beans/dp/B07DL912QK?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
www.amazon.co.uk/Sevenhills-Wholefoods-Organic-Butter-Wafers/dp/B00M42369E?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08CBGYCDM/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE
There's also a UK based company called Nutricraft who sell raw, organic Criollo beans - £15.95/kg - if anyone has any opinions on these beans please let me know!
Currently, the plan is to buy either the 1.5L or 2L Premier grinder, 1kg cacao beans (either Sevenhills Wholefoods or Nutricraft), 1kg cacao butter (again, Sevenhills Wholefoods or Nutricraft), 1kg whole milk powder and 1kg sugar as well as this metal scraper - www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003XKIGKU/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Q2EGKWQWGZ1FKYRT5R3H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and some polycarbonate moulds from www.homechocolatefactory.com/CTGY/Polycarbonate.html
I'll roast, then crack the beans lightly using a rolling pin, and winnow using a hair dryer and large bowl. Already own a food processor to turn the nibs into cacao liquor (although from what I understand this is an optional step).
When it comes to tempering, I own an immersion circulator (sous vide) to start out, however I plan on learning the art of hand tempering in the future.
Any other recommended purchases or just general advice is greatly appreciated.
Even though I'm only just starting out in this hobby, I've spent hours browsing this forum and it has been an invaluable source of information. So thanks a lot!
Regards
Open