Maple sugar machine

[Amber Gold]

I use a Kitchen-aid stand mixer. I started with the standard model, and made a lot of sugar with it, but it eventually burnt out. I then got the professional model, and it's doing fine. It's either 0.5 or 0.75 gal batches.

[S.S.S]

Hi Chris, have you ever used the wisk instead of the paddle?

Thanks,Jon

[Sugarmaker]

Jon,
I have never tried the wisk to make sugar. It might work too? I have one. My thought is the as it begins to make sugar it may stick inside the wisk??? In a lump?? let me know how it works! Good luck with your 'sugarmakin'!
Happy New Year!
As we move int January in a couple days I start to begin to think about sugarin activities. Lots of work in the sugarhouse and getting the sugarbush lines re-set.
Regards,
Chris

[S.S.S]

Hi Chris, happy new year to you as well. The reason I ask about the paddle is I found on the little 5qt kitchen aide mixer the wisk would make better sugar. Last week I bit the bullet and bought a 20qt mixer with wisk and when I tried it the otherday I noticed some syrup that stayed on bottom of bowl that didn't get mixed up, unlike the little 5qt I never had that. Wondering how the paddle works with yours if you get that at all.

Thanks, Jon

[Sugarmaker]

S.S.S.,
I usually have a small amount of sugar stick to the pan in areas that the paddle does not touch. I try to stop several times and scrape the bowl.
Regards,
Chris

[Abattoir]

Has anyone used one of the CDL sugar machines? Thinking of getting one but want to get some opinions first. Also does anyone know if there is a video of the unit working?

[S.S.S]

I Had no luck finding any videos of the unit in operation. I really thought about the cdl machine but the price turned me away and i purchased a hobart mixer. I have made about 50 pounds of sugar so far and love it. Before this i just used a kitchen aide mixer but just out grow it.

[Louie]

I tried to find a video also. Called CDL Vermont asking for one with no luck. I looked at the instructions for it and it had a long cycle time. I asked about that and he snapped back that you can't make nice sugar fast. It is getting a little harder to part with money to just get disappointed so I will wait to see one run.

[DaveB]

Has anyone used one of the CDL sugar machines? Thinking of getting one but want to get some opinions first. Also does anyone know if there is a video of the unit working?

I can try and put one together for you. I have a double machine that I actually have for sale. I should be making some sugar this week and will post it when I do.

It's basically a horizontal mixer as opposed to a vertical hobart or kitchen aide. You pour the syrup in and start it on the automated cycle and it starts churning one way for five minutes and the other way for five minutes and then stops. You then clear the paddles and then it start it again. By the time it stops the first time you basically have sugar but it needs to mix and dry some more. When you start it the second time, it will mix basically one way but automatically pause and spin the other way for a minute before going back the other way again.

I will spin for a while but I have not noticed a huge difference between the way the sugar comes out at 30 minutes as opposed to 60 minutes like the manual states so I just dump it after about 30 minutes. You just spin the dump and it gravity dumps into a bin. You can sift it from the bin.

Timing wise that is about the same as other mixers. With a double machine I can put 2 gallons or so in each side so I'm mixing 4 gallons of syrup at a time. It's like having 2 hobart mixers for the price of one (used). The paddles are plastic and do break but are easily replaced.

I'll try and get the video together this week but if you have any specific questions just let me know. I have my machine listed as best offer so I'm open to any offers.