Enrobing Machine: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

I know you’re probably looking for an effective and reliable enrobing machine.

That’s why this guide will help choose a perfect enrobing equipment.

It covers everything, from features, benefits, size, energy consumption, parts to working principle.

By the end of this guide, you will be an expert in enrobing machine.

Let’s dive right in.

What Is Enrobing Machine?

Enrobing is the process of covering confectioneries or snacks with chocolate or chocolate coatings.

An enrobing machine is a piece of equipment that will coat various food items with varying coating materials.

This machine will coat different flavors and ingredients on the surfaces of products.

enrobing machine

Which Are The Advantages Of Enrobing Machine?

This machine will offer several advantages, which include:

Increase In Production

Using an enrobing machine will offer a high production capacity than manually enrobing.

This feature means you will produce more products per unit time, thereby meeting your client’s needs.

It also means you will increase sales and profit margins.

Lower Operational Cost

Using an enrobing machine will save you a lot of money in the long run.

When you compare that to the cost of acquiring manual labor, it is way less.

Also, fully automatic enrobing machines allow you to use little to no operators during the production process.

This feature will guarantee you a return on investment [ROI] within a short duration.

Enhance Product Quality

This machine enables you to produce consistent enrobing results than manual versions.

Also, it offers more control features that enhance the production process.

Reliability And Consistency

For automatic enrobing machines, they will offer consistent results compared to manual enrobing.

Prevents Contamination

The material construction for these machines is high-quality stainless steel which is easy to clean.

Stainless steel will also inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Time-saving

These machines allow you to enrobe different products with different materials quickly.

Prevents Wastage

This machine ensures you optimally use the products, thereby obtaining value from your ingredients.

Also, it has a No-product No-enrobing capability which is vital in preventing material wastage.

What Are The Features Of An Enrobing Machine?

Since there are different types of enrobing machines, the features will also vary greatly.

Otherwise, here are some main features you may find in these machines:

• A programmable logic controller [PLC] with a human-machine interface [HMI] that allows for easy operation
• Durable and high-quality stainless steel that ensures the structure is sturdy and can handle varying environmental conditions
• The machine is compatible with different production lines, thereby enhancing efficiency and reliability
• A temperature control system that allows you to heat or cool ingredients easily
• There are fully automatic and semi-automatic enrobing machines available
• They also come in different sizes and designs
• These machines have different power ratings that match the production capacity.
• Safety features that prevent wastage and hazards during the enrobing process

What Are The Parts Of An Enrobing Machine?

Several parts make up an enrobing machine and will work together to ensure an efficient enrobing process.

These parts include:

Vibrating Station

This component eliminates excess enrobing material that is on the sides of the products.

Wire Belts

This part will allow you to move products from one area to another in the production line.

De-tailing Rod

This part gets rid of smaller chocolate tails as it transits to the cooling tunnel.

Chocolate Tempering

This part will enhance the onboard and outboard of the enrobing substances.

Licking Roller

This part lowers and controls the amount of the enrobing material on the lower part of the products.

Blower Unit

This part will operate by lowering the amount of enrobing material on the sides or top of the products.

Chocolate Tank

This part has water jackets and agitators that assist in temperature control.

It will also assist in melting and feeding the enrobing material readying them for the enrobing process.

Chocolate Pump

This pump will assist in the circulation of the enrobing ingredients to the enrobing system.

Enrobing System

This part has a waterfall-like curtain that will coat the bottom and top part of the products.

Thermoregulatory

This component will assist you in adjusting the temperature to fit the production process.

Control Panel

It contains a PLC and HMI system that assists you in monitoring and altering the production process interactively.

Electro-speed Regulator

This part will facilitate enrobing optimization for products that are of different designs and sizes.

Cooling Tunnel

This component assists in faster and efficient cooling of the products after enrobing.

How Does An Enrobing Machine Operate?

Here is how this machine operates:

Tempering

Here, you will place the enrobing materials, such as chocolate, on the tempering system.

It will melt the chocolate and ensure it is in a smooth and consistent form.

Also, tempering systems connect to the enrober to facilitate the supply of liquid chocolate to the enrobing stage.

Tempering machines can come with enrobing lines, which you can also purchase separately.

Placing The Product On Wire Racks

This system will carry the products via the prebottomer that evenly coats the lower part of the products.

The prebottomer is a component that you can buy separately and connect to the enrobing machine.

Transportation To Enrober

Wire racks will transport the products to the enrober as it passes via a preliminary cooling conveyor.

The cooling conveyor assists in the solidification of the chocolate from the prebottomer.

Coating Pumps

Conveyors transport the products towards coating pumps that cover the products via a continuous chocolate waterfall.

The coating pumps will enrobe products.

Drainage Of Excess Chocolate

The chocolate that fails to coat the product moves via return systems.

These systems will recycle them back to the tempering system.

Vibrating Table

These parts will cause the wire racks to vibrate after the products pass the coating pumps.

This vibration enhances the even distribution of chocolate on the lower part of the products.

Blowers will also ensure the chocolate does not form a pool on the upper portion of the products.

• Elimination of chocolate tails

High-quality enrobing machines have tail cutters that remove the chocolate tail coming from the enrober.

• Transfer to wax papers

After enrobing the products, they move to wax paper to facilitate easy removal after the cooling process.

• Toppings

This feature is optional, and they operate by sprinkling toppers on the products.

• Cooling tunnel

The enrobed products move to the cooling tunnel, where it leaves for packaging after it solidifies.

This part is long and has insulations to ensure a constant and low temperature.

What Are The Types Of Enrobing Machines Available In The Market?

There are different types of enrobing machines ranging from smaller versions to industrial versions.

Suppliers offer a wide selection of enrobing machines for small, medium, large, or industrial applications.

The type you select will depend on your production requirements.

Some manufacturers supply enrobing machines that can produce specific products.

For example, some will use wax to enrobe cheese, some for chilled or frozen items, and others for chocolate mounds, etc.

Besides, manufacturers can offer additional customization for their core enrobing machines at an extra cost.

For example, some enrobing machines can come with removable stainless steel racks to facilitate cleaning.

The available enrobing machines include:

Semi-automatic Enrobing Machine

semi-automatic enrobing machine

Fully Automatic Enrobing Machine

full automatic enrobing machine

Manual Enrobing Machine

manual enrobing machine

What Are The Applications Of An Enrobing Machine?

Some of the industries that use an enrobing machine include:

• Confectionery industries

These industries will use it to enrobe various products such as biscuits, cakes, nuts, toffee, dried fruits, etc.

• Pharmaceutical industries

These industries will enrobe medicinal products to enhance the taste of, i.e., bitter products.

Examples of products you can enrobe include tablets, pills, medicinal cookies, pills, lozenges, etc.

Can You Integrate Other Support Equipment With An Enrobing Machine?

Yes, you can use other equipment to enhance the efficiency of the enrobing process.

These include:

• Packing machines
• Labeling machines
• Sprinkling machines
• Weighing machine

What Quality Standards Should An Enrobing Machine Comply With?

Compliance with quality standards ensures the safety of operation and products are fit for human consumption.

Also, it will allow you to be on the right side with the law.

These quality standards include:

• CE marking
• Food and Drug Administration [FDA]
• American National Standards Institute [ANSI]
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices [cGMP]
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances [RoHS]
• American Society for Testing Materials [ASTM]
• SGS certification

What Material Is Suitable In The Making Of An Enrobing Machine?

Stainless steel is by far the most suitable material to construct an enrobing machine.

The frame and base are from high-quality stainless steel.

Also, the contact parts are from food-grade stainless steel material.

Some benefits of stainless steel are:

• They inhibit the growth of bacteria
• It is easy to clean and maintain
• Corrosion-resistant
• Resistant to both low and high temperatures

How Does The Size Of The Belts Influence The Production Of An Enrobing Machine?

The wider the size of belts, the more items it can process per unit time.

For instance, a 100” belt can process thousands of products per unit time than a 6” belt.

Is It Possible To Customize An Enrobing Machine?

Yes, you can customize as per your production requirements since different users have different needs.

To customize the enrobing machine, you need to contact the manufacturer directly.

Also, they may require a prototype of the machine, or you can use in-house designers.

Some parameters to consider during customization include:

• Production capacity
• Delivery time for the machine

What Are The Benefits Of Having Cooling Tunnels In An Enrobing Machine?

Cooling tunnels will assist you in solidifying and curing the products after enrobing.

These tunnels are averagely 5°C to ensure rapid solidification.

What Is The Function Of Curtains In An Enrobing Machine?

These parts will ensure you cover the entire product with the enrobing material.

What Factors Affect The Price Of An Enrobing Machine?

Manufacturers usually make enrobing machines to fit every customer’s liking meaning the price will vary a lot.

Some factors that affect the price of these machines include:

Additional Features

If you need the enrobing machine to have extra features added, you will spend more.

Production Capacity

When an enrobing machine has a high production capacity, it will cost more than small production capacities.

Automation

Manual enrobing machines cost less than automatic versions.

Also, fully automatic enrobing machines are costlier than semi-automatic enrobing machines.

The reason behind this is that fully automatic versions require less human labor to operate.

Size

Industrial enrobing machines cost more than small-scale enrobing machines.

Customization

When you need a manufacturer to customize the enrobing machine for your needs, you will pay more.

For instance, you may need vibrating tables, product sprinklers, or customize the belt width.

State Of The Machine

Second-hand enrobing machines fetch a low price than brand new enrobing machines.

Minimum Order Quantity

Some manufacturers will offer you a considerable discount when you purchase enrobing machines in bulk.

Country Of Origin

Enrobing machines from China will fetch a low price than from other countries.

China has several manufacturers who can make a wide range of enrobing machines to suit every need.

Can You Find Energy-Efficient Enrobing Machines?

Yes, these machines are available.

A majority of the modern enrobing machines come with various energy-efficient features.

Energy-efficient enrobing machines apply revolutionary techniques to transfer tempered chocolate.

This system will inject the tempered chocolate into the consumption flow from the tempering system.

Besides, it will maintain the consistency and quality of the enrobing material through to the delivery stage.

Also, it assists in maintaining a constant temperature and tempering unit throughout the whole enrobing process.

Energy-efficient enrobing machines will lower the energy consumption you need to run the whole process.

Besides being energy-efficient, these machines will not compromise on the quality of the enrobing process.

How Do Small Scale And Large Scale Enrobing Machines Compare?

Here is how these two compare:

Production Capacity

Large-scale enrobing machines have several parts that work together, which enhances the production capacity.

Besides, they will enrobe more products per unit time than small-scale enrobing machines.

Power Requirement

Large-scale enrobing machines, having several components and being large, will use up more power.

Besides, small-scale enrobing machines will consume less power.

Size

Large-scale enrobing machines have several parts and high production capacity; hence, they are larger than small-scale enrobing machines.

Application

Small-scale enrobing machines are ideal for small industries, while large-scale versions are suitable for large enterprises.

Disassembly Time

Since small-scale enrobing machines have fewer parts, you can disassemble them quickly.

Price

Large-scale enrobing machines are costlier than small-scale enrobing machines.

Portability

It is easy and fast to move small-scale enrobing machines from one part to another.

The reason is that it is lightweight and has fewer parts.

Belt Width

Small-scale enrobing machines have a narrow belt than large-scale enrobing machines.

Maintenance

It is fast and straightforward to clean and maintain small-scale enrobing machines.

The reason is that it has a small footprint and fewer components.

How Do You Increase The Efficiency Of An Enrobing Machine?

Maintaining and cleaning the enrobing machine ensures it performs optimally and increases its durability.

Conduct frequent inspections to ensure all parts are in good working condition.

Replace faulty or broken parts with genuine parts that the manufacture recommends.

Clean the machine after every use to minimize the buildup of dirt and debris.

Repair all broken electrical cords to eliminate changes of fires and electrocution.

Lubricate all moving parts to minimize the rate of tear and wear.

Ensure you set the enrobing temperature that matches the materials to enhance the enrobing process.

Tighten all loose ends and ensure they are in the correct position.

Use the suitable raw material, in terms of quantity and size, in the machine to ensure the operation runs smoothly.

What Safety Precautions Should You Look Out For When Operating An Enrobing Machine?

These include:

Protective Gear

All operators should wear the necessary protective gear to eliminate any damage that may happen during operation.

These protective gears should protect you against bodily harm such as a burn.

Hygiene

Since you are handling products for human consumption, the hygiene of the operators should be a priority.

Lay down steps that each operator should adhere to before operating an enrobing machine.

For instance, those who have long hair should cover them.

Fire Safety

To protect you and the operators from fire hazards, you should have a set fire safety procedure.

For instance, you can install fire alarms that go off in cases where there is a fire.

Also, set fire assembly points where you can account for all operators.

Professionals

Hire professionals to ensure your enrobing machines operate correctly.

This operator should have knowledge and skills on how the enrobing machine operates.

Also, when maintaining the machine, hire professionals who understand the device entirely.

What Is The Ideal Temperature When Enrobing?

Always ensure the centers that enter the enrober have a temperature between 21°C to 24°C.

When the centers are warmer, blooming may occur as the residual heat will increase the temperature of the enrobing medium.

Also, cold temperatures will cause blooming and cracking of the coat as the center expands as it warms.

After enrobing, to eliminate blooming, gradually change the temperature in the cooling tunnel.

The coating and filling should cool to approximately 18°C to achieve trouble-free packing.

What Should You Consider When Installing An Enrobing Machine?

When installing, ensure the following:

Space

Ensure the available space is enough to fit the machine with enough room for maintenance and operation.

Power Requirement

Make sure the power source provides the correct voltage to run the machine

How Does An Enrobing Machine Compare To A Wrapping Machine?

The difference lies in the state of the product you are processing.

An enrobing machine uses an enrobing medium that is in a liquid state to cover products.

Enrobing machines will enhance the appeal of a product by improving taste.

Also, you will use enrobing machines before wrapping or packing the product.

A wrapping machine will process products that are in a semi-solid state.

Wrapping machines improve the appeal of products by covering them with film material.

A wrapping machine is at the ends of the production line, and you will use it after you fully process the products.

wrapping machine

How Do Enrobing And Molding Compare?

Here is how these two compare:

Enrobing

This process involves making the center of the product first, then coating it with a thin layer of enrobing material, i.e., chocolate.

The product passes under a curtain of chocolate to create a thin and crisp layer.

Some benefits of enrobing include:

1. It allows you to create a thin crisp layer on the product
2. An enrobing machine will enable you to achieve a quick and efficient enrobing process
3. Also, you can decorate the product in several ways, such as forming fork marks, etc.

Molding

Here, you process the product by using a mold such as a firm plastic.

You will fill the mold with, for instance, chocolate, then turn it upside down to eliminate excess chocolate.

The remaining chocolate within the mold creates a cavity that you can fill with another product.

Some benefits of molding include:

1. It forms a thin and crisp shell that encapsulates various centers which have different textures and viscosity.
2. Also, you can mold different shapes depending on the design of the mold.
3. Besides, skillful chocolatiers can use cocoa butter of different colors to form striking chocolates resembling glass marbles,
4. You can make custom molds and imprint your company logo so that it shows on the final product.

What Is The Importance Of Physico-Chemical Properties Of The Enrobed products?

There are two reasons why the Physico-chemical properties of enrobed products are vital.

Firstly, incorrect crystallization or flow properties result in the product having poor quality.

This effect will make you sell the product cheaply or rework the product.

Secondly, the sensory attributes are essential to the client’s satisfaction.

When a product is not glossy, or the fat has bloomed, a customer may not purchase it.

For any inquiries or questions about enrobing machine – contact SaintyCo now.