[kuan]

Can anyone recommend a chocolate machine for me?  I'm a rank amateur but I'd like something better than a double boiler.

 

[foodpump]

Whats your budget?

 

[kuan]

200 bucks?

 

[foodpump]

Even the chocovision start at $400 us, so thats out.

For $20 you can go to Mall*Wart or the like and get a cheapo electric heating blanket. Set your bowl, or better, a 1/2 insert on this with the lowest setting. Melt your couverture in the nuker and pour into the insert. Temper using the "seeding method". Should hold temper for 45-60 mins.

 

[kuan]

Ooh  So  maybe next year.  Right now I just cheat and add Myrcryo or equivalent.

 

[chefpeon]

@kuan.........I've used Mycryo in a pinch and it works OK, but honestly it doesn't really save that much time or hassle. Also, some years ago I bought one of those Chocovision "Revolation" tempering machines when I was but a noob. That didn't save much time either, and it only tempers 1 lb max at a time, and 1 lb of chocolate is basically nothing. Tempering really isn't that difficult once you're used to doing it. Holding temper and keeping the chocolate workable for longer periods of time is the tricky part. I make a "nest" out of an insulated cooler blanket and a heating pad and I stick my stainless steel bowl in it and it works pretty darn well.

 

[foodpump]

The thing with mycro is that you have to get your couveture at a fairly precise temp in order for it to work....

Fastest and easiest method for me is the seeding method, and gave been doing this for well over 10 years now

Out of your $200, spend 80 on Peter Grewling's "confections and chocolates" book, probaby THE best book to explain the tempering methods and the hows and whys.