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Post by ephramz on Apr 15, 2009 7:37:36 GMT -5
Has anyone bought one of these Chocolate Dude Tabletop Tempering Machine bakerscandc.web-ctr.net/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=14... It seems like a bargain at 12 lb capacity for only $525, equivalent about to the 1.5 lb Chocovision Rev1, so what's the catch? Do they have temp control problems? Do they not stir? Why so cheap? Are they just busting Chocovision and ACMC's small capacity temperer racket? Please help me figure out which of these to buy.
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Post by cheebs on Apr 15, 2009 8:32:11 GMT -5
Never seen or heard of it before, too bad the picture is so small, no details can be seen at all. I imagine they have changed the product somehow since you posted the link, as it says "product not found" when you click on it. But when you actually look for the product, there it is, except in the description it now says 10 lbs instead of 12.
From the (limited) look I was able to have, this seems more in the vein of the Little Dipper and ACMC (manual temp controls, not automatic like the Revs), hence the lower price. This is still almost $300 less than the ACMC and half the price of the Little Dipper.
For that price it's worth at least giving them a call to get more info. Will do so as soon as they open.
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Post by cheebs on Apr 15, 2009 10:58:30 GMT -5
I called and yes, it works exactly the same way as the ACMC and Little Dipper. It does stir and supposedly the temp control is very accurate. The person who answered claimed the machine does indeed hold the full 10lbs.
Since I'm in need of another temperer, I will be purchasing this today. It will be sent by boat down to me in Guatemala so should take 3-4 weeks to arrive. Will post up a review as soon as I get it working.
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Post by ephramz on Apr 21, 2009 18:26:00 GMT -5
Great, thanks Cheeb for your research. Let us all know how it works when you get it! I've just talked to both the Chocolate Dude and Bakers C & C. They're going to send me contacts for people who've bought the machine so I can see what they think. There's a better pic of it here: chocolatedude.007sites.com/index_files/image335.jpgJim who makes the machine explained how it works a little more to me: - bowl holds about 10 lbs, but better to cap it at 9 lbs so it doesn't climb the sides - has a plastic paddle that stirs as the bowl turns a bit like the Chocovision REV1 - there's a temp probe that goes through the paddle - 4 60 W incacndescent light bulbs for heating, 1 fan for cooling - takes about 45 minutes to temper 9 lbs of chocolate from pre-melted chocolate to completion, though it could melt as well, just takes longer than a microwave or double boiler - temperature settings are manual- i.e. you set it to 110 first, it brings it up to that temp, then you set it to 80 and it brings it down, then you set it for 89 and it brings it back up. Not automatic like the Chocovision. I'm not familiar with the ACMC machine - no alarms for when it reaches the temp, so you have to watch it - made of wood laminate box, not plastic Hope that gives more info for people to evaluate it! Still debating whether to buy one. Does the ACMC have more features like an alarm or automatic temp changes?
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Post by cheebs on May 26, 2009 16:23:10 GMT -5
OK I received my machine.
First, due to the woefully subpar packaging (maybe a half-box full of peanuts, nothing else) the machine came with a huge gouge on one corner. Peanuts should never be used for such a heavy piece of equipment.
The machine, as it came, simply doesn't cut it. It needs a few modificatons to be properly usable. For starters, the included cooling fan is WAY too small. This results in ridiculously long cooling times. To make things worse, the fan is installed to blow air INTO the machine instead of exhausting it out. A quick flip of the fan solved this, and did improve cooling times somewhat.
Next problem: not nearly enough air intakes. I will send it to a woodworker friend's to have two vent holes cut out on both sides of the machine, and will simultaneously install a much more powerful (and larger) fan.
Final needed mod: paint the underside of the bowl flat black. As it is now (polished stainless) it reflects most of the heat from the 4 light bulbs and so takes a very long time to warm up the chocolate.
Oh yeah and the paddle needs some mods too, not enough holes so the chocolate is always unevenly distributed and not properly stirred.
In conclusion, this machine, as it ships, is NOT worth buying. I'm hoping that with the planned modificatons it will improve, at least to where it becomes usable.
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