Amaryllia > wrote:
> I've also considered buying a tempering machine. What's the smallest size I
> should look for that would be appropriate for home use but still produce
> somewhat reliable results? I guess my price range is anything less than
> $1000 for now. I'd rather start with a broader search and narrow it down

My wife uses, and I have used, both the Chocovision Revolation II and the
X3210. We have two of each used daily at her chocolate shop. Well, actually,
one of the small ones I just sent back for service, but the point is we use
both models a lot. The basic design for each is similar. The baffle contains
a temperature probe which is monitored by a microprcessor controller. It heats
the chocolate up, cools it down, tells you when to add seed, and reheats to
working temp.

Interestingly, the first Revolation II we purchased has never failed us, the
second one has been sent back twice in the past few months, though we've been
using it for a year and a half now. The older one is more than 2 years old.
I would say the X3210 is too big for home use. You need to melt a minimum
of 3 pounds, and at that it's barely enough to make use of the machine properly.
The Revolation II will handle 1 to 3 lb. batches. Chocovision's customer
service has been great for us. They have replaced several parts quickly and
without charge.

As far as I can tell, the Revolation I that someone else mentioned is the
same as the Revolation II except it has a different (older style) controller.
The II has the same controller as the bigger X3210.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.