|
Post by gpman on Dec 30, 2023 9:20:46 GMT -5
Hello all. I've been making desserts for a home business and now after training I'm ready to make chocolate. I'm ready to buy a refiner but not sure which. I need a good reliable machine because I live outside of USA and warranty is almost non existent.
So it seems like the Santha 11 and Spectra 11 are comparable. But the Spectra is more expensive.
So are they the same? And are there any cons of either?
Can both be run a long time?
How about conching? I've read that the Spectra can do a minor conching if you release the tension after refining and let it run for 3 more days. Has anybody tried that? Can it really run for a refining process and conching time?
Any thoughts on which is a better long term investment is appreciated! Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Ben on Jan 1, 2024 22:57:58 GMT -5
If you can get a grinder from Diamond Custom Machines, I'd recommend those over the others. If not, I'd recommend the Spectra over the Santha, but really they'd probably both be fine. If they're marketed as being able to make chocolate, they should be able to run continuously. Regarding conching, stone grinders are not great conches. You can achieve some of the effects of conching in them, but not all. In the original discussion about conching in a stone grinder, Alan (who started the discussion) eventually came to the conclusion that there was no real benefit to releasing the tension. In my experience, I've found this to be true as well. Here's the original conversation: chocolatetalk.proboards.com/thread/315/santha-refining-conching-double-machine
|
|
|
Post by mark on Jan 2, 2024 19:45:17 GMT -5
I second Ben's suggestion to go with DCM if possible. I live on the other side of the world from where they are located and their after sales service has been excellent. They have shipped spare parts to me when I've had issues.
Having said that, I used to have a Spectra 11 and their service was also quite good. Sometimes they took a few days to respond to my email messages. They shipped spare parts to me directly from their factory location in India and they arrived here within a few days.
|
|