Candy Manufacturing Technology and Candy Manufacturing Techniques (Part 2)

Wholesale candy stores, manufacturers, and end consumers will find this article interesting.

The focus is on the following techniques, manufacturing equipment and processes:


Raw material mixing and cooking
Aerating of the raw ingredient mixture
Equipment used in molding to a final end shape
Stamping to shape
Drawing to final diameter
Cooling to final temperature
Coating for color, texture or taste
Decorating for a pleasant look
Mixing and Cooking

Cooking vats

These are used for raw material mixing and cooking. These are very technical pieces of machinery and frequently include cookers and mixers with temperature controls, moving arms and tables. These types of devices are often used in hard and chocolate candy production. They have multiple speed agitators, sophisticated hydraulic lifts, and digital controllers with alarms to control temperature, complex and highly advanced atmospheric gas burners as well as tilting functions. The higher end cooking vats are insulated and designed of aluminum that is foam fitted and have no rivet joints. The vats are one of the first pieces of machinery used in many candy manufacturing processes.

Aerating

Aerated chocolate, marshmallows (like Easter Peeps), and snowballs are excellent examples where aeration technology is used. A specifically designed mixing head is used for each manufacturing process. Perfect temperature control during the aeration process is also provided by these machines.

Molding

Polycarbonate injection molds, thermoformed spinning molds and silicone rubber molds are three very popular molding techniques. The molds are often used in the manufacture of chocolate.

Stamping

Stamping is a process that involves dies that cut the processed mixture of cooled material to shape from a flat slab. An example is in the processing of chewing gum or taffy.

Drawing

The drawing of the sweet mixture is similar to the drawing of plastic or a metal. A bullion is pulled through a series of forms and dies. This reduces it in size by forming its perimeter to a shape that is dictated by the dies. In a more sophisticated manufacturing line the dies are temperature controlled.

Cooling

Cold water is often used to cool the equipment that is in contact with the candy. Through this the product is kept cool as it is manufactured. An example is in the cooling of forming and drawing dies. Other solutions may include the use of a refrigerant.

Coating

The coating of produced items is done using enrober machines. The delicious thin coating found on candy bars and coated cookies are frequently applied with an enrober. The high end of these machines is extremely sophisticated and can be quite large and complicated. The enrobers are manufactured using stainless steel and designed to run 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Enrobers contain pumps and top of the line ones are packed with sophisticated electronics which aid in the ability to optimize raw material consumption minimizing waste and cost. This is a huge money savor.

Automatic Decorators

These decorators are used in decorating candies and cookies. They can also be used in the decorating of snack cakes. The decorators apply chocolate or icing designs on cookies, cakes, baked items and chocolate. Designs such include thick to thin, straight lines to single lines, zig zag lines to curves, and double/triple loops, x-ing or hatching and simple or random designs are all possible. Designs can often be modified quickly to offer a great choice of decorated product. Decorators can be custom designed to accommodate many styles, speeds and sizes of conveyors or enrobers.

Whether you are a manufacturer, an end consumer and lover of candies or wholesale candy store this article should help you better understand what goes into the manufacture of the product you are involved with.

Joel Bernstein
BS Management Science Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
MBA Rutgers University.
Joel Bernstein writes about Chocolate Candy and confectionery products. Candy is great to write about because it is a happy topic that people enjoy. Enjoy this article about candy manufacturing. Candy manufacturers, end consumers and Wholesale Candy store owners should find it interesting.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com