Chocolate Making Tools
July 9, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
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Making chocolate is a fun hobby, but having the right tools is imperative in order to be successful. Just like a carpenter can’t make a house without a saw and hammer, you can’t make great chocolate without the following chocolate making tools:
Double Boiler
A double boiler is essential for melting the chocolate without scorching it. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can take a deep fry pan and fill it with 1-2” water then set the pan or bowl that has your chocolate down in the water filled pan. You must take care, however that no water drips into your melting chocolate or it will turn it grainy.
Bowl
A bowl is key for mixing your ingredients. If you are making a lot of chocolate or chocolate in many colors or with different ingredients than you will need lots of bowls. Stainless steel can work good as they can be used to heat the chocolate in the method described above.
Spatula
One of the essential chocolate making tools is a spatula which is necessary for stirring, mixing and pouring the chocolate.
Concher or Refiner
A refiner is what gives the chocolate a rich creamy texture. Having one at home will save you a lot of work and give you great tasting and looking chocolate.
Candy Thermometer
A candy thermometer is critical for tempering chocolates. You need one that is specific enough to show the temperature and can handle the different temps used when tempering. Try to get one that reacts quickly to a temperature change so that you can know when your candy gets to each stage right away.
Spoon
A spoon can be used for taste testing as well as making it less messy to pour into molds.
Other chocolate making tools you might need depend on the specific project you are doing. Or example, if you are making molds, you will, of course, need the molds. If you are dipping things like strawberries or pretzels then you will need a baking tray and waxed paper to let them set. Of course, there are many other things you may need and you‘ll have to decide what is necessary for each individual project.
