Maple Cream Machine vs. Maple Candy Machine? Advice?

[jcheesem]

Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a machine to make value-added products but don't know which to get. I want a machine that will make both butter/cream and candy. Currently I make maple butter/cream by hand and it is very labor intensive. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Julia

[Schiefe4]

I would get a maple cream machine (or build one). It's easier to make candy with tout a machine than it is to make cream without a machine.

[GeneralStark]

I make hundreds of lbs. of cream and candy annually with a candy machine. It all depends on how much cream you want to make but it is doable. There are several threads already going about this

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Sunrise evaporator has a dual purpose machine.

[GeneralStark]

Sunrise evaporator has a dual purpose machine.

I have been curious about this machine for a while and would like to see one in action. In another related thread the price for this machine was quoted at $3150.35. You could buy a gear pump cream machine and a candy machine for that price.

If the sunrise machine were really special then it may be worth it, but having minimal understanding of how it works, what size batches are possible, how it is cleaned, etc... I'm personally reluctant to seriously consider it.

[Sugarmaker]

Hi,
I'm thinking about buying a machine to make value-added products but don't know which to get. I want a machine that will make both butter/cream and candy. Currently I make maple butter/cream by hand and it is very labor intensive. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Julia

Julia,
I see post number 1! Welcome to the Trader.
Couple of things. I believe the sunrise machine is special. I believe that the resulting candy will be of different texture and may be softer than candy made with a conventional machine. You will have almost that much money into two machines anyway. But these machines typically are sized for larger production runs. Maybe they hold several gallons of product. Making 16 lbs of candy and or 16 lbs of cream or more at one time. That doesn't mean you cant make less too. I think there is a lot of product that remains in the machine (vertical pipes and pump) after each batch.
Also consider that for candy you need the molds available also that applys for either type of candy machine. We make about a gallon of syrup or cream at one time. (I have a candy and cream machine). This is about the right size batch to support our sales.
Good luck in finding the right machine or machines. I have been very pleased having the right machine for the job. Sure makes it easier than hand batches!
Regards,
Chris