ChocoVision Panner Chocolate Panning Machine

Photos are of the older model which I happy I got the new version but I think people should be aware.

This machine seemed to be a great, and less expensive, option for panning products. Sadly, I discovered that in order to pan chocolate properly I had to purchase an air blower that Chocovision makes for this unit, but does not have anywhere but directly from their site. Also, after less than two months of below average use, the panner stops unexpectedly, leaving product unfinished and requiring me to start over. There is a white plastic piece that you twist to lock the panner to the coupling of the rotary motor. It has two locking screws. Amazingly, the bowl still manages to remove itself from the spinning motor, even though the screws are tight and the bowl cannot be removed by hand without loosening them. All in all with the machine and the blower, you are looking at over $2000 for a mere novelty. Definitely not for business.

This can NOT handle 9lbs, as several people have statedThis worked fine while in the R&D phase. I knew I had to setup my own blower systems, but not a huge deal. We're a small company so 8-10 lb batches would be fine. We are using it now to make soft panned sour balls (similar composition to jelly beans or |Mike and Ikes).I planned a batch that would finish at just over 7 lbs - this put the machine into serious trouble. The centers were 2041 g (~4.5 lbs). I could immediately tell it was struggling to handle the weight w/just them. The 2 headless screws that make the hub click into either the open or locked position for the pan shaft kept coming unscrewed. This causes the pan to slip very slightly on every rotation, making a noticeable sound. If I didn't stop it every hour or so I am afraid it might slip far enough off the housing to seriously damage it.As the engrossing progressed and the weight increased it was groaning more and more. 2 times I had to reassemble the whole hub - tightening everything, only to have it come loose again. The final weight I was able to achieve was ~7.25 lbs before I ended up taking half the batch out to finish separately.This is quite a bit better than any of the Kitche Aid attachment types - but also about $1000 more than them. It's unfortunately the only example in its price range that I've found outside of India or AliBaba companies (which may be my next source).I had high hopes, but am not happy with this panner. It's good for batches ~4.5 lbs or less (final weight). If you are planning to do production, I would buy 2 - or spend on a professional panner (probably better). Having 2 would afford you the ability to make ~9#/ a time, and you have a backup if one bites the dust. Good luckPanning progress is observed very much through the sounds of the spinning batch changing. This machine makes so many troubled sounds of its own it's a major distraction.