Which Maple Cream Machine to buy?

[Randle]

In the market for a new gear pump maple cream machine. We have paddle machine for sugar so just making cream. We make hundreds of tubs a year. I like that the D&G is all stainless whereas I like the Lapierre has a larger 2HP machine but it has a brass ball valve. Brass can oxidize so not sure why one would make a stainless unit and then use a brass valve.

Open to any manufacturer. Would like to know your experience with your setup about cream quality, output performance, cleanup, waste, etc.

[maplwrks]

I have used a CDL machine quite a bit and like it. I think you've got to understand that all of the gear pump cream machines work the same, It's just which one has the features you like. The cream quality is second to none. No separation after many months of storage, much better than paddle machines. We do 15 lb batches at the Big E and have it on the shelf, start to finish, in less than 20 minutes. The clean up is simple. Run hot syrup through it until all of the cream melts out of it and save for future batches. Flush w/ hot water and done!

[Randle]

Do you have the 2 gallon or 4 gallon machine? I like the clear sight tube. I don't recall seeing that on any other unit. Do you find it helpful? Also, did you look at another machines and what drove your decision to go with the CDL? We're manufacturer agnostic when it comes to a cream machine so open to all input.

[maplefarmer]

Does anyone have the sunrise metal machine, it lists it as a candy and cream machine. Trying to get any feedback on this machine?

[maplwrks]

Like I said, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the gear pump machines. We use the 2 gallon machine for the fair--I have problems believing that you would need anything bigger. It'll make it a s fast as you can pour it into containers.

[ToadHill]

Does anyone have the sunrise metal machine, it lists it as a candy and cream machine. Trying to get any feedback on this machine?

We saw one demonstrated at the Winter Maple Conference in Verona NY. The candy was the smoothest I've ever seen made with a machine. They used a different process than the other machines. They prepared 1/2 of the batch ahead of time and it gets mixed with the other 1/2 in the machine. Seemed to work well. The water jacket keeps the candy liquified as you run it into the molds. Didn't see it used for cream, but it looked well built and it works on the same principal as the other machines.

[Randle]

Just looked at the Sunrise Cream and Candy Combination machine and am also interested in learning more. Would welcome people's feedback on how well it makes cream and candy.

[tuckermtn]

I have the smaller Lapierre cream machine and I like it except for the brass 3 way valve. silly to me to put together a very nice machine and then save what, like $40-50 by not going with the stainless valve? reguardless, it makes really nice cream...

[Moser's Maple]

We saw one demonstrated at the Winter Maple Conference in Verona NY. The candy was the smoothest I've ever seen made with a machine. They used a different process than the other machines. They prepared 1/2 of the batch ahead of time and it gets mixed with the other 1/2 in the machine. Seemed to work well. The water jacket keeps the candy liquified as you run it into the molds. Didn't see it used for cream, but it looked well built and it works on the same principal as the other machines.
I believe they demostrated the fondant method........the sunrise is suppose to be able to lower candy temps because it has a water jacket to keep the candy from setting up inside the machine

[ToadHill]

Jake is right, it was the fondant method. The candy was as smooth as cream. Pretty much melt in your mouth. Not sure what batch size it will do. Keep in mind this machine is fairly new, so they are likely still improving it. The nice thing about this machine is it is multi purpose. One problem is if you are going to make sugar you still need a cream machine or mixer unless you plan to do it by hand.