Forum Activity for @Lyndon

changing the belt on premier wonder grinder

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

I'll dig them out, but I litterally just swapped the belt with a chain, and the pulleys with cogs, so it's no different in layout or sizes to the original belt system. However, you'll need to add an extra sprocket to tighten the chain. I didn't, and it wore down the teeth after a few months because the chain wasn't quite tight enough.

I swapped back to linked belts after that, which I still use now, even though they need to be replaced every couple of months or less. I've been building my own 20 litre capacity stone grinder for a while though now, so rather than improving the small ones, I've been focused on that.

adding spices/herbs to melanger

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

I've not had any trouble with spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg etc seeping into the granite and transferring flavour. I've never tried chillies though.

adding spices/herbs to melanger

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

I grind all sorts of spices into my chocolate, tea leaves/ coffee beans too! I usually add them first with just a little cocoa beans or other oil to efficiently grind them, then some time later I'll add the rest of the cocoa beans or other ingredients

Has anyone ever built a DIY ball mill?

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

Another followup question, I'm guessing you can't conch like a melanger in a ball mill because it refines too quickly?

I've not got round to building a prototype yet, I'm still finishing my tempering machine

Has anyone ever built a DIY ball mill?

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

I read it both on here and CA from a few posters. Unsurprisingly there is very little info outside these sites about it, though most youtube videos do show machines having nibs followed by sugar added (presumably they were not making a 90% chocolate)

However, since I always refuse to take other peoples words for it, I'm going to build a small prototype anyway to handle 1-2kg or so of chocolate, since I want to see how it would handle rolled oats

Has anyone ever built a DIY ball mill?

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

Having now spent a bit of time looking at the concept, it seems that you need to be working with a fat content of 40-50% with a ball mill. Not very useful for creating most chocolate if this is the case.

Has anyone ever built a DIY ball mill?

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

They certainly seem easier and cheaper to make than a stone grinder, which has been on my to do list for a while. I may look more into this

what use it is given to the shell of the cocoa beans

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

Ah my mistake, I'm not sure why I thought it was shell.

Dosing pumps & DIY options

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

What information did you find about peristaltic pumps? I was hoping to find/buy a cheap one but no luck. Is printing one the best way to go?

Foil Wrapping

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

I just place bars on the foil and then fold up and over. Usually can do about 4 a minute that way. Do you use this technique for bars? Certainly sounds interesting and I like your numbers, there is no way I can wrap 300 an hour, that usually takes me all day.

what use it is given to the shell of the cocoa beans

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

While we're on the subject of heavy metals, it was mentioned higher up about using the shells in your garden. Would you avoid using it around edible plants?

updated by @Lyndon: 09/07/15 16:26:04

Small/Medium Sized Grinders

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

I have some of the tilting ones and they work fine, fully ventilated just like the 1.5litre version, and no issues with overheating. Coming up on 12 months use. Belts don't seem to last long though.

what use it is given to the shell of the cocoa beans

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

True enough, I guess there is a big difference between "safe" and "safe enough"

what use it is given to the shell of the cocoa beans

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

Do companies like Crio Bru not have to prove their products are safe for consumption?

what use it is given to the shell of the cocoa beans

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

What about those companies making brewing cocoa from the shell?

changing the belt on premier wonder grinder

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

As the owner of the above linked chain belt upgrade, I can't recommend it enough (it may cost you more than the machine though, but I felt it was worth it personally) I did have to make a few final alterations to it after that photo was taken, and the noise is down to a slightly more acceptable level.

I'm keen to try one of these power twist belts though, there is a fenner supplier local to me who I hope would be able to get one in, in the UK. I've been using a belt coating spray too which has helped (but not a lot)