Forum Activity for @Joanne Gaither2

polycarb moulds (was chocolate won't release from molds)

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

Thanks Brad - great advice. The original batch was tossed. I started over with several successful batches - now. If I can figure out how to send pics across this sight - I'll add them so you can see the moulded chocolates.

As you can see - I was having a bit of trouble just posting my question and replies on the website - so adding pics may be a real challenge. But, I'm hopeful.

Joanne Gaither

www.lumucandy.com

polycarb moulds (was chocolate won't release from molds)

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

Thanks Brad. Yes - TOMRIC does sell polycarbonate moulds. And, yes my dark chocolate was in temper - I use a Revolation X from ChocoVision. I think maybe the moulds needed to be a bit warmer. The chocolates finally fell out - afterspending hours today in the freezer. I am going to temper some new dark choc and sit the mould on a heating pad set on low. After piping choc in I will sit mould in fridge, then freezer for 10 minutes. Does this process sound right?
updated by @Joanne Gaither2: 04/16/15 23:21:20

chocolates won't release from new moulds

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, & Techniques

I am sure this is a horror story that has been discussed many times over - but it is a first for me.... And, I woke up this morning - and the problem still hasn't worked itself out.

The details: I tempered dark chocolate last night. Filled a brand new polycarb mould (just arrived yesterday from TOMRIC) with tempered chocolate. This is my first time ever using polycarb moulds (so - I may actually be the problem, not the mould.) I set the mould in a 68F room with a light flow from a fan across the mould. After 10 minutes, I put the mould in the refrigerator. After 20 minutes the choc wouldn't release - so in desperation I put mould in freezer. Checking every 10 minutes - still no release. I gave up after 30 minutesand put the mould in the refrigerator for overnight. This morning - still no release and my husband suggested tapping gently with a blow hammer to the bottom. HELP.

updated by @Joanne Gaither2: 04/17/15 00:32:26

Discover Chocolate in the Dominican Republic

Posted in: Travels & Adventures

Clay,

I just read about your trip to DR in May 2011. This sounds very similar to a trip my husband and I took, but we started in Punta Cana, then headed west (toward Haiti)with the tour to the mountains. Spent several days on both cacao and coffee bean plantations - even got to crack open some pods. The trip was wonderful - we would sign up with you immediately - but have a conflict with the dates this year. I will watch for your event calendar to try to join you on another adventure.

Hopefully you'll offer this trip again....

Joanne

LuMu Candies