Hello everyone, I am ramping up a new project here. I need to be able to provide multiple clients (on demand and within short notice) with small samples of custom couvertures made to specs inhouse and from scratch (bean to bar). The samples inlcude all types of chocolate dark, milk and white with variable flavors and cacao origin and % ...
The sample sizes can be as small as 2 lbs and as large as 6 lbs. For this quantities, it is not possible or pratical for me to use any of my largers full automatic tempering kettles/machines due low volume, high product change over frequency and to avoid holding production. So bottom line, I need to set up a dedicated R&D environment for this purpose.
For my R&D environment, I have allocated bunch of existing mini machines that I already own: a behmor 1600 mini roaster, my own inhouse built cracker/winnower and a cocoa town ECGC12-SL melanger, but as far as tempering, I only have a semi-automatic tempering machine (REVOLATION DELTA) and since it is not possible to have in stock an ad-hoc custom couverture seed and for formula accuracy I obviously need a small easy to clean and get ready fully automatic tempering machine where I can pour the ready to temper chocolate directly from the melanger to it and have my sample ready to ship for my clients which I do not currenty own and I have to purchase.
I have checked couple of solutions and I would like your opinion in:
Option 1- Purchase an EZ Temper and use it along with my semi automatic REVOLATION DELTA where I can cool my chocolate manually to 92.5 F (33.6 C) and add 1% cacao silk (Pros - 1K budget, Cons: impact on formula accuracy with 1% cacao butter)
Option 2- Purchase a fully automatic table top tempering machine like FBM Aura or similar ( Pros: fast, maintain accurate formula - Cons: Expensive and may need more time to have it ready for the next change over) Any one want to sell a used similar machine??
I do not have any experience with EZ Temper or FBM Aura or any table top fully automatic tempering mahcine.
What are your 2 cents on this??
Many Thanks!
Tony