If you want to stand out in the chocolate-making world, you need the right chocolate factory equipment. Tools, utensils, and accessories can make the process a hell of a lot easier. There are some pieces of equipment you cannot go without for bean-to-bar chocolate making.
What are the essential pieces of equipment for making small-scale bean-to-bar chocolate? This list is perfect for individuals, families, and small-scale businesses that want to create high-quality, professional-looking, mouth-watering chocolate bars.
The needed equipment for chocolate-making includes:
A melange for Chocolate-making
This was the first machine I bought after deciding to try making chocolate. It is such a versatile piece of equipment it can be used to make everything from peanut butter to chocolate meringue.
Chocolate moulds
A quality chocolate mold makes the difference, especially in the final result. The mould gives the chocolate bar that shiny sheen and is essential if you want professional-looking bars.
A thermometer
An infrared thermometer works best, in my opinion, but the main thing is that it is accurate and reliable. A few degrees out when tempering will result in a light chocolate bar that melts in your hands. It is also essential to keep track of the temperature when roasting the beans so you can hit the proper tasting notes.
A roaster for chocolate-making
Roasting cocoa beans kills bacteria, loosens the shell and develops the flavor. A roaster allows you to control the temperature for a far more even roast. There are many ways to roast cocoa beans, but if you're making lots of chocolate, you'll need a bean roaster.
Kitchen scales for chocolate-making
Kitchen scales are a must-have tool when making any recipe. After many ingredient experiments, I record the measurements when I find a chocolate bar recipe that I am happy with. This makes it far easier to recreate the next time I make it. For consistency, you will need some scales.
Tempering machine
Several ways to temper chocolate, but a tempering machine is the most efficient and consistent. It is essential for a business to produce professional-looking chocolate bars consistently. With piping bags and nozzles, filling chocolate molds becomes much more accessible. Using a spoon for this can get quite messy, with a possibility of unevenness in the molds themselves. A piping bag is the best tool for you to go about this task with.
Whisk
Ideal for mixing batter and creating fillings for pralines and truffles. Whisking the mix correctly and quickly is essential to achieve smooth, velvety ganache. The fat particles can evenly disperse throughout the mixture with a whisk.
Palette knife
A palette knife is perhaps one of the essential pieces of chocolate-making equipment. This knife has a flat rounded blade that lets you smooth out or temper chocolate on a smooth flat surface. It's also ideal if you're looking for silky smooth chocolate to add to your dessert or fancy gourmet chocolate. With a palette knife, you can ensure glossy and smooth chocolates that look as delicious as they taste.
Easy chocolate recipes
- Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- No-Churn Fresh Cherry and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Oatmeal, Almond, Raisin, Date and Chocolate Energy Balls
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate dipped Coconut Mawa Laddu (also known as Chocolate dipped Narkel Mawa Naru)
- Chocolate Chip Muffins (also known as chocolate cupcake)
- Eggless Mango Mousse in Chocolate Cups
- Chocolate Ganache
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