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Post by tony on Jun 30, 2010 11:33:36 GMT -5
Hi All, I was wondering if anyone has a tempering profile which I could program into a temperature controller I'm fitting to an experimental tempering machine which I am trying to build. I know the usual 3 stage temp setting and I read somewhere one should hold each temp for +- 10minutes. This presents no significant problem. My other question relates to the heating medium. Can one use a double jacket stainless container with water? What might one use as a medium of choice to effect a mean temperature control. Also a stiring mechanism? Any Ideas?
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Post by Sebastian on Jun 30, 2010 15:57:35 GMT -5
Big question, the answers of which depend greatly on how you approach it. I get the impression you're building a batch tempering system. You appear to be leaning towards a jacketed system, so i'd guess you're modelling it after something akin to a savage brothers kettle. What quantities are you considering? You'll want there to be a center shaft with paddles on it for constant agitation. The only time i'd really recommend a hold temp is on the initial melt out phase, where i'd heat to 115F and hold for 10-20 minutes (depending on factors such as quantity and agitation). If you're going with a savage kettle type approach, control the temper of the chocolate by controlling the temperature of the water in the jacket. You'll need some visual cues to help do this for your particular chocolate. Remember that the jacket temperature will be very different than your chocoalte temperature, so keep that in mind. Once you've got thoroughly melted chocolate, turn the cold water on until you've got a 'crust' formed on the walls of your vessel (keep agitation on). At this point, turn hot water on *Just* until the crust begins to peel away from the walls. Now youll want to turn on water that's approximately 88F to stabilize things. Of course none of that's valid if the savage kettle approach isn't what you're after
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Post by tony on Jul 1, 2010 0:55:13 GMT -5
Thanks Sebastian, In answer. At this stage I'm not bound or invested in any one method. The only reason I thought of the water jacket approach was because it seemed the most obvious, but I could just as easily consider the 100w lamp story. I'm really open to tried and tested methods.
Batch is the way to go at least for now. Continuous would put too much of a load on my labor (me). Quantities, I guess I was thinking 80lbs a day? Any suggestions. Center shaft with paddle - no problem. Either from above or below (your comments). Initial melt temp, point taken, thanks for that. Temp control. If I am to go the visual cue route the automation goes out the window (or is that a suggested method by Savage as well?) Bottom Line though, I am open to any temper method that is efficient. Preferably with limited operator intervention...... What say you? Tony
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Post by Sebastian on Jul 1, 2010 15:43:01 GMT -5
Honestly? Buy a savage or a smith kettle, get a 50lb one used for 2 grand. many come with thermal water controllers. I'd think you'd struggle to make a food safe, automated version for less than that. You're going to have some level of operator intervention, but unless you're willing to spend much much more, to get 80lbs at a shot, i think your options all require some intervention. However, there's obviously lots of very inventive, creative folks here, yourself one of them. if you're able to make a fully automated, precise tempering unit thats food safe and can do 80 lbs / day consistently for less than 2 grand, i'll be the first to buy one
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Post by tony on Jul 13, 2010 10:43:27 GMT -5
Hi 2 Grand....
Our exchange rate is 8:1 so thats 16 000 of our money. I'm sure I can make a water jacket temperer for less. The controller only costs $135.00 and the Stainless jacket, I'm sure I could get one made for under $675.00. The motor, paddle and thermocouple... I bought a thermocouple for the roaster I'm building for $31.00 and an SSR (solid State Relay) for the same amt. Heating elements are really cheap.... so yes I guess I could build a PID Auto-tuned tempering machine for under $2000.00. Lets see, Its my next project, after the roaster. Cheers...
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