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A cocoa grinder for home comes in two main types:
Electrical cocoa grinder for home
This home grinder features electrical parts that use electricity as its power source. Generally, the cocoa nibs are broken down into fine chocolate liquor within one hour or less.
Manual cocoa grinder for home
This type of grinder relies on hand-operated cranks and levers. The home grinder allows users to have full control of what to grind into chocolate and when. However, the manual power source makes it tedious and time-consuming to achieve the final product. Grinding the cocoa nibs into a paste can take several hours, up to 12 hours or more.
Cocoa nib grinder machines' specifications vary depending on the design and capability. Here's what buyers can expect to find in most grinding machines:
Grinding Capacity
The grinding capacity of a cocoa nib grinder for home use is the amount of chocolate it can grind in an hour. Home machines typically have a capacity of about 1-2 kgs per hour. Smaller grinders may only grind up to 100 grams at a time. The capacity is determined by the size of the motor, grinding stone, and machine design.
Motor Power
The motor power is measured in watts and indicates how powerful the cocoa nib grinder is. A grinder with more motor power will produce finer chocolate paste faster. Home grinders typically have 150 to 500 watts of power.
Product Weight
Most home grinders weigh about 5 to 10 kgs. A grinder that weighs more than 10 kgs is suited for commercial use. Such machines can grind larger amounts and have more powerful motors. Because of their weight, home grinders are easy to install and use on countertops.
Storage Capacity
Home cocoa grinders have storage capacities of 1 to 8 kgs of nibs or liquid chocolate. The storage capacity relates directly to the grinding capacity of the machine. The storage area is detachable for easy cleaning after use.
Noise Level
The noise level of the grinder may also be indicated in the manual. Most home grinders produce about 70-80 decibels of noise. This is the same as the noise produced by a vacuum cleaner. Manufacturers of grinders for home use aim to reduce noise levels, so the machine produces less than 80 decibels.
A well-maintained cocoa grinder will crush nibs into liquid chocolate for many years. Regular cleaning is crucial, but it is just as important to perform minor adjustments and the occasional replacement of some parts.
Cleaning
After grinding cocoa chocolate paste, the milk, and dark chocolate grinder for home use should be cleaned immediately. The warm temperature makes it easier to remove residues. Disassemble the grinder by removing the drum and buying the grinding stone carefully. Wash these parts and all detachable parts in warm, soapy water. Use a soft sponge to wash non-removable parts gently. Rinse all parts thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before putting them together.
Adjusting the Tension of the Belts
Over time, the tension of the belts used to drive the drum and grinding stone may become loose. The grinding may produce less fine chocolate in the nibs. Examine the belt's tension and adjust it if necessary. Loosen the motor bolts and move it closer to the belt to increase the tension. Tighten the motor bolts after adjustment.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Cocoa grinders have some moving parts. Lubricate these parts periodically to allow them to move smoothly without wearing out. Apply lubricant oil to the bearing housing, grinding bearing shaft, and other visible moving parts. Wipe off excess oil after lubrication.
The home cocoa grinder is useful in many businesses that mainly deal with cocoa products. One of the industries that extensively use the grinders is the baking industry. Bakeries use the grinders to process cocoa butter and cocoa powder for making chocolate and other related products. These include chocolate cakes, desserts, butter, and powder.
Also, chocolate manufacturers use the grinders to process ingredients for making various chocolate products. Such products include chocolate bars, chips, drinks, and spreads. The cocoa grinder produces a finer chocolate paste or chocolate liqueur used to make these products.
Health product manufacturers use the grinders when processing unrefined cocoa powder used as an ingredient in vitamins and health supplements. Some medical establishments recommend cocoa products for their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidizing benefits.
In the cosmetics industry, cocoa butter is an essential product used for making various creams, moisturizers, and lotions. Furthermore, food packaging companies may partner with the cocoa grinder manufacturers to develop packaged cocoa products like butter and powder for retail.
The following tips can be useful to business buyers who need to select these machines for their customers.
Desired End Product
Consider the products the customers want to make - cocoa butter, nibs, or paste. If many customers want to produce cocoa butter or oil, suppose the target market includes large chocolate manufacturing companies. In that case, people who will need to extract cocoa butter should be the focus. Otherwise, focus on grinders with higher grinding capabilities if they will produce cocoa paste or nibs for smaller grinding needs and more refined end products.
Capacity Requirements
Think about the machine's grinding capacity. Small-scale home grinders usually grind between 500g and 3kg of cocoa beans in a 24-hour period. Customers looking for a grinder to process small amounts of beans will want a machine that will not waste electricity on grinding capacity that is too high.
Power Source
Determine whether to provide options for electric and manual grinders or only electric ones. Many customers prefer electric to manual because it's easier and more convenient to use. However, some users want a backup cocoa butter grinder, and that could be a selling point if only electric models are considered.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
Put emphasis on models that are easy to clean and use. Students in home economics classes and amateur chefs do not have much experience and will want something easy to navigate. Consider models with removable parts, washable stones, and user manuals that explain the process step by step. Safety should be a priority. Look for grinders with safety features like overload protection and sturdy construction.
Diverse Customers
Take note of different customer needs and look out for models that can grind different types of nuts and seeds. Those models could have switchable settings that changed the grinder's fineness level. They may sell for a slightly higher price, but they will appeal to customers who want versatility in their kitchen equipment.
Availability of Spare Parts
When it comes to wear-and-tear parts like grinding stones, essential components like the motors and bearings, find out if there is a steady supply of spare parts in the area. This will save customers transportation costs and time and enable them to keep their machines up and running quickly.
Q: How long does a cocoa bean grinder take to make cocoa powder?
A: It can take anything from 1 to 2 hours to make cocoa powder when grinding cocoa beans at home with a cocoa grinder machine. The grinding time depends on the quality of the machine, the size of the particles wanted, and the amount of cocoa beans used. After grinding the beans into a thick chocolate liquor, excessive heat may cause the fat to separate, resulting in cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
Q: What is the difference between a cocoa powder grinder and chocolate grinder?
A: A cocoa powder grinder uses dry cocoa beans, which contain little to no cocoa butter. This machine may have a more intricate filtration system to separate cocoa butter and powder. In contrast, a chocolate grinder processes wet or fatty cocoa beans with high levels of cocoa butter. The chocolate grinder will have the capacity to hold and grind high-fat content materials, and its filtration system will let through only the cocoa butter.
Q: Does grinding cocoa beans produce a lot of heat?
A: Yes, grinding cocoa beans does produce a lot of heat, which may help release the cocoa butter in the beans. Excessive heat during grinding can damage the machine. Consider how much heat the grinder can handle when choosing a cocoa grinder for sale.
Q: Can a cocoa grinder make other types of food?
A: Unfortunately, cocoa grinders are specially made to grind cocoa beans. They have specific mechanisms and milling parts that process the composition and structure of cocoa beans. Many food grinders can’t handle the high levels of fat that cocoa beans have. Even if they could, they probably wouldn’t be able to split the cocoa powder and butter.