Equipment
Behmor 2000AB for Chocolate: Complete Roasting Guide
Step-by-step Behmor 2000AB setup for cacao roasting. Covers the P1 profile, three-phase temperature targets, end-of-roast cues, and origin-specific tips.
Equipment
Best Chocolate Molds for Bean-to-Bar Makers
Polycarbonate molds are the standard for craft chocolate. Learn what makes them better than silicone or plastic, plus sizes and care for bean-to-bar use.
Equipment
Best Chocolate Tempering Machine for Home Use
Find the right chocolate tempering machine for home and small-batch use. Covers temperatures, methods, and when a thermometer beats an automatic machine.
Equipment
Best Thermometer for Tempering Chocolate
Tempering chocolate requires a probe accurate to 1°F. Learn why infrared fails, what to look for, and the best thermometer options for home chocolate making.
Equipment
Best Cocoa Bean Roaster for Home Chocolate Making
The Behmor 2000AB is the top cocoa bean roaster for home use. Learn what makes it work, what the alternatives are, and how to set it up for cacao.
Equipment
Best Melanger for Chocolate Making (2026 Guide)
Compare the top melangers for craft chocolate: Spectra 11, Premier, and CocoaTown. Find the right grinder for your batch size and budget.
Equipment
Best Sugar for Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: Cane, Coconut, Muscovado & More
How sugar type affects chocolate flavor and texture. Cane sugar, coconut sugar, muscovado, maple sugar, and alternative sweeteners — with practical guidance on particle behavior, moisture risks, and pre-grinding.
Equipment
Best Winnower for Craft Chocolate (2026)
Compare DIY hair dryer winnowing, PVC pipe winnowers, and commercial crackers for craft chocolate. Learn the FDA husk limit and when to upgrade.
Equipment
Champion Juicer for Chocolate Making: Cracking and Pre-Refining
The Champion juicer cracks cacao beans and pre-refines nibs into cocoa paste at about 1 lb/min. Learn how it fits into the bean-to-bar process and when to use it.
Equipment
Complete Bean-to-Bar Equipment Guide for Beginners
Everything you need to make bean-to-bar chocolate at home. Covers roasting, cracking, winnowing, refining, tempering, and molding with specific tool recommendations.
Equipment
How to Build a DIY Chocolate Winnower
Build a PVC pipe winnower for cacao using a Dayton 1TDP3 blower and cyclone separator. Full materials list, assembly, and calibration instructions.
Equipment
How to Measure Chocolate Particle Size: Grindometer Guide
Use a TQC grindometer to measure chocolate particle size during refining. Learn the method, what readings mean, and when to stop your melanger run.
Equipment
Premier vs Spectra vs CocoaTown: Melanger Comparison
Detailed comparison of the three main craft chocolate melangers: Premier (~$250, 1kg), Spectra 11 (~$479, 9 lbs), and CocoaTown (30-kilo production scale).
Equipment
Where to Buy Cacao Beans for Chocolate Making: A Sourcing Guide
The major craft-scale cacao suppliers, what to look for in bean quality, pricing norms, minimum orders, and how to evaluate a new origin before committing to a full batch.