Maple cream and candy machines: give your review....

[FameFlower]

I have a budget this year to purchase a maple cream machine and a maple candy machine. I'd love some more input on these devices other than just a catalog description or sales pitch. What machines have you liked and why? What machines have you not liked and why? What would you recommend

(P.S. Can a maple cream machine also do cremed honey?).

[Bruce L]

Save yourself some dough and just get the maple candy machine.I do both sugar and butter(cream) with ours. I believe it is a Waterloo/Small?When we first got it the motor had been geared down to 30 rpm,too slow,had them change it back to 60 rpm,as sugar was setting in the worm before it could make it to the molds.

[maplwrks]

If you want to make good quality cream, you should buy the gear pump style cream machines. Candy machines were designed to make candy, they do not make good cream, that has a good shelf life. As far as creaming honey, I don't know the process, but if you are just stirring it, this machine would work great. The other thing is you can fill jars right off the machine.

[maple marc]

Flamethrower,

Yes, a gear machine would be awesome for cream, but big $$$ and that's all you use it for. Depends on how much you are making. I have used one and it's the best. For candy, I really don't see the attraction of a pig style machine....too much time to fill each mold. Get a big mold sheet, pour out by hand from the pot and go at it with a big putty knife. 3 swipes and you rock--done! Recently I have been experimenting with a commercial mixer for cream and sugar--most versatile, perhaps. Globe 8 quart model is awesome, super powerful, can handle 1 gallon of syrup for cream. Will make great sugar too. Good luck and keep us posted.

Marc

[GeneralStark]

Depends upon how much of each you are making. I get by with a used Waterloo Small (I think they are all based on the same Sipple design) candy machine for both candy and cream. It is slower that a cream machine for making cream but the quality has been excellent after some experimenting.

I invested this year in a used paddle style cream machine that I will be mainly using for granulated sugar but also plan to use it for bulk cream.

I don't make tins of candy or cream, but as I expand the next investment will be a gear pump style cream machine. Several years off though.

[OneLegJohn]

Save your money to start. Buy candy and cream from a reputable sugarmaker and private label it. Before you go spend $2000, spend a couple hundred on candy and cream to see if you have a market. If you can't sell it, don't make it. That is the conservative approach.