Forum Activity for @Jason Andelman

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Can't remember (and i threw away the box it came in). Basically, I took in a piece of the wire that came with the guitar and they measured the gauge at the Grainger store. I then bumped it up a bit for a slightly thicker wire. It's nice because we can use the guitar to cut caramels without breaking any strings.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Jason,What gauge wire did you buy?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I just joined this forum and was reading throught this thread. I bought my guitar directly from Prefamac (in Belgium) back in 2001. Paid about $1000 (US) incl shipping for a guitar w/ 3 frames. It is all stainless steel (no plastic base) I am sure it is more expensive now with the exchange rate and all, but maybe worth a shot.Also, in regards to replacement wire, I recommend checking out Grainger. We bought a spool of stainless steel wire for about $50.00. They have a bunch of different thicknesses we ended up buying a slightly thicker and more durable wire than what had come with the guitar. I don't think I have broken a string in like 4-6 months...Good luck.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

TCF Sales (aka The Chocolate Fountain) also provides chocolate guitar stainless steel wire, and distributes Design & Realisation products, as well as other popular chocolate equipment in the U.S. and abroad. --DR used to mfg. a chocolate guitar but currently they do not. -- Regards.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Yes, the Dedy is a high quality chocolate guitar, and in my opinion the best out there. Save yourself the hassel of dealing with Customs, required bonds, etc. We do this for you and provide product support as well -- plus, offer it at a better price. You can't go wrong! -- For additonal information, see www.tcfsales.com or call toll free: 877-777-6982 or 316.636.4443.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I also recently bought a Dedy with four frames directly for the producer and I LOVE it!Corresponded via email. Wired the money to a German bank account. Had to pick it up at the U.S. customs office at the airport. I wasn't expecting that. Found out because the cutter cost was over $500 I SHOULD have gotten a "bond". Not sure what that was about but customs was nice about it and let me take the cutter without a bond (as long as I promised to get one NEXT time). Cost $2500 US ($1680 EUR) in Sept. 2008. It's a big investment but the accuracy and efficiency is immeasurable. Really makes a difference in a professional look. Funny, the pictures I have posted on The Chocolate Life are of truffles I made before I bought the cutter.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I love the new cutter. It's going to make my work faster and improve precision - can't ask for more than that! The snow definitely impacted my business, too. Had to delay (or even cancel) getting out some last orders but what can you do when it's not even possible to get the car out of the driveway.

But I do love how beautiful it is when it snows.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Wow, Thanks. Yes, the chefrubber thing nearly gave me a heart attack. I like a lot of their products but agree that they are costly. I will check out D & R. That is more in the price range I was thinking, that is for sure!THanks for the info. Are you having fun with your new cutter? Did you survive the holidays intact? I loved the snow but it did put a bit of a crimp on business at the shop...Happy new year,s

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I can't believe the site just ate my reply...First of all, I think that any hobby store e.g. Michaels, will probably carry s/s wire that you could use to fix your guitar.Places that sell guitars, e.g. bakedeco.com, must also sell it but I wasn't able to locate it on their site after a quick search.Chef Rubber's claim that "This wire is better then [sic] what came on your cutter originally" must be true because HOLY COW! 200' for $500! You could probably build another guitar for $500...Check out Design and Realization . Their site is a bit clunky, you can't search and you can't link to a particular page, but select ' Guitar for Chocolate and Candies ' on the left-side navigation bar and scroll down until you see 'Wire for guitar.' US$37.35 for 295' will fill the bill nicely.
updated by @John DePaula: 09/14/15 20:35:32

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Hi Sarah,'Inox' just means 'stainless-steel.' I will check around to see who might have some replacement wire. I'd shop more at Chef Rubber but WOW their prices are super-high...Cheers,J

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

A coupla years ago I got a guitar (the plastic base one) and it is okay. I sure wish I would have read this before and held out for the Dedy! But the one I have works okay, except that several of the strings are broken from early on and the replacement wire bought through places like chefrubber is very expensive. From what I can figure out, it is some kind of stainless steel wire. Can anyone tell me if it is something special, or where I might be able to find such wire? I read the word "Inox wire" related to it, does that mean anything to anyone?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Edward:Please post a photo of your home-made cutting wheel for us to admire!:: Clay

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I'd really like to get a guitar, as I do 4 slabbed varieities, but for the moment, I've found a cheaper alternative.In some of the kitchens I've worked, I've been spoiled by the Matfer cutting wheels. This is a device consisting of aprox. 30 s/s discs (sharp), threaded on a rod, with spacers between the discs and rolling pin style handles. The price for this was at last checking around $300, and I'm a cheap guy.What I found at the local dollar store was cheap pizza wheels so I bough a dozen and drilled out the rivet, made some 7/8" spacers from 1" plastic pipe, threaded the assembly onto a length of 3/8" threaded redi-rod, and made some handles for it.It works quite well for slabbed ganaches, and while it won't cut through slabbed cast caramel, it does mark them nicely. If I can find more pizza wheels I'll make some more in different sizes....

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I got a double guitar from savy goiseau it's a nice one,very practical versus the single one,the quality is great very solid all metal.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

This is strange - I noticed Alana saying something similar when she purchased a book from a Canadian store. When I purchase from the US, my credit card charges me the exchange (which is padded a little to their advantage), but there is no added fee like this.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

And then, I noticed a 3% "Foreign Transaction Fee" from Chase. :-(

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

One of the challenges that many chocolatiers face is scaling up production. Maybe you started by hand and you're looking to grow but you're really not big enough yet to shell out $3000 or so (including shipping, etc) to purchase a guitar.On another thread I posted a link to a two-part silicon truffle mold. You put the two parts together, pipe in the center (e.g., ganache) scrape off the excess and let harden. Remove the centers and dip/enrobe.The same company offers a set of four molds to make centers in four other shapes. For some people this might be a comparatively inexpensive way to bridge the gap between cutting by hand and purchasing a guitar.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

No, no issues have surfaced so far. They offered me two shipping options:They are 2 box, the delivery charges by Mail are :1) Expedited = 170,60 $ us Delay : 10 to 15 daysOR 2) Express = 247,50 $ us Delay : 5 days (working days)I chose the cheaper option and it came, via USPS - Canada Post, as scheduled.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

John DePaula - I seem to remember that you are located in the US. Were there any issues with D&R shipping from Canada?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

My guitar is also a Dedy and was bought in 2004 from Kerekes for a little under $2,400, with 15 mm, 22.5, and 30 mm arms.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

No, this is my first guitar. Mine has an all metal base but it's surprisingly light.The cutter from D&R arrived pretty much when they said it would: 10-15 days after ordering (I chose the cheaper delivery option). The two boxes arrived at different times but no big deal.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thank you for the all the helpful tips - do you know who the manufacturer is of your guitar? Is it very heavy?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thanks - I have been eyeing that one as well - did you have any troubles with the company in terms of how long it took to ship to you? I've ordered framing bars recently and it took about a month to 6 weeks.Also, I've seen your name pop up in another chocolate site - did you use to have a plastic base guitar cutter? If so, any thoughts?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I just purchased a single Dedy guitar cutter from Design & Realization in Canada. From the pix online, it certainly looked like the Dedy, one that Kerry has recommended for some time. I verified with D&R that it is, in fact, a Dedy and it appears to be of absolutely excellent construction. The frames just arrived in a separate box, so I haven't had a chance to use it yet, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's a beauty!

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

My guitar is a single with a metal base and three arms and I absolutely love it, especially considering the alternative of using a knife to cut ganache into perfect squares. I've had it for about four years and the only things I need to replace every once in awhile have been a couple of strings. I wipe the strings and base between each use with a paper towel, and once a week or so I clean it with soap and water. I've found that Dawn works best as it cuts through the fat in the chocolate. I did not buy the stand for it and keep the guitar on a full size sheet pan lined with parchment paper, which makes for easy clean up.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Thanks, is it the plastic base? Did you purchase the single or double? How long have you had it for and have you had any troubles with it in terms of maintenance or clean-up?

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

http://www.bakedeco.com is where I bought mine. The company also goes by the name of Kerekes and is based in Brooklyn, NY.

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

I have a Dedy - an aluminum and stainless guitar from Germany. I have looked at the plastic based units - but the nicks you see in the plastic on the edges where the wires pass between the slots seem to me a spot where the wires might get caught and break. That being said - the plastic based units are still very substantial and should work well for many years.In the US Tomric ( www.tomric.com ) carries both the plastic and the Dedy (needs to be ordered) and in Canada Design and Realization carries the Dedy. ( www.dr.ca )

Guitar

Posted in: Tech Help, Tips, Tricks, Techniques

Does anyone have experience with the use of a guitar for cutting? In particular , any feedback about manufacturer, where to purchase, new vs. used, plastic base vs. metal. Comments about the pavoni brand would be helpful as well. Thanks-
updated by @Elaine Hsieh: 04/11/25 09:27:36

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

Please check out my web site www.chocolatedude.net . I build a chocolate tempering machine at a reasonable price. Check out my web site and see if it will meet your needs.

Jim

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

I am a hobbyist contemplating home based on line shop. My focus is Truffles of which I have developed many of my own unique recipes. I am exploring the need for a tempering machine and where to buy good quality chocolate wholesale. I appreciate this forum to learn and grow my knowledge. I use a combination of milk, white and dark/bittersweet chocolate.

updated by @Deborah K Mestas: 09/12/15 14:12:29

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

i second that. i actually went on a factory tour of LCC and they stated they don't make their own chocolate and get it from Callebaut.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

I know this post is quite old by now but which machine did you finish buying...

I also have the cacao liquid that comes right out the melanger...

I am thinking about buying a tempering machine but not sure still which one..

I will really appreciate your comments

I hope you can help me

Javier - Chaqchao PERU

updated by @Chaqchao: 01/23/15 15:06:59

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

I know this post is quite old by now but which machine did you finish buying...

I also have the cacao liquid that comes right out the melanger...

I am thinking about buying a tempering machine but not sure still which one..

I hope you can help me

Javier - Chaqchao PERU

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

Hello Jeff, I'm interested in theHIlliard's Little Dipper and Mol'D'Art melters, could You tell me where can I buy these equipment?

The problem I see with the Hilliard's Little Dipper is if You want tochange from dark to white chocolate, for instance, it would be time consuming asyou have to dismantle and unscrew to remove the bowl and other components.

I'm considering as well the Matfer CHOCO 22T (20 kg capacity) but I don't know any seller.

Thanks for any help.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

A few months ago I bought a used ACMC Tempering Machine for only $500. I like my Rev 2, which I paid almost as much for, but I needed a larger capacity.

I love my ACMC. It's not totally automatic but it's close enough.
There's an extra slot next to where the main thermometer goes and I slide in probe thermometer in to alert me when the chocolate reaches a certain temp. I hear they're super easy to fix. The only drawback is they use 100W light bulbs that are supposed to be discontinued due to some law. Companies like GE are now producing 95W light bulbs and I've read about people using ceramic heater bulbs.

I would love one of the bigger Chocovisions machines but it's 3x the price and they seem to have lots of issues. For the money, a used ACMC is the way to go. They're often on Ebay for around $500.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

Hi Brad,

I was wondering how your modified Pavoni's have held up. We got ours a little over a year ago and it worked great until a few months ago when it started acting up. Pavoni convinced us to order a new probe, which has not fixed the problem. I've already wasted over a hundred hours unsuccessfully tempering with this goat, and don't want to waste any more of my scant resources on the machine if the problem will just recur. I know you added a heat shield and fan to one this summer; is it still going strong? What did the control boards do when they failed? Ours seems to work, but doesn't move through the cycles properly.

Thanks,

Eli

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

My first machine was a Rev2: after a little over a year of pretty heavy use the temperature gauge started malfunctioning. ChocoVision sent us a free baffle, but unfortunately this was not the problem. The capacity of the machine was so small and it was so loud that, in retrospect, I think I would have preferred to have started with a melting tank style machine.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

Thanks.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

thanks! i will give it a try!

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

You still put the seed behind the baffle. It's a little harder and messier to remove any unmelted seed at the end, but it's not too bad.

chocolate tempering machines

Posted in: Opinion

okay - sorry to be so dense, but if melted chocolate is on both sides of baffle, how do you temper it - where do you add seed?