Frequently Asked Questions about Chocolate fountains
If you’ve never seen or tried a Chocolate Fountain before, you’re sure to have some questions. Here are some of the ones we’re often asked – and if you have any others, please contact us at info@exchoc.co.uk
1. How does the chocolate get to the top of the fountain?
Answer: Once the Fountain is assembled, pour the melted chocolate into the base of the Fountain until it is near the top rim of the base. Turn the machine on and the heat setting if you machine has one . This will do two things: it will turn on the heating element, which is controlled by a thermostat, and it will turn on the motor, which turns the auger (corkscrew). This will bring the chocolate up to the top where it will then flow down the 3 tiers and completely “enrobe” the Fountain, thus creating the ultimate chocolate fondue.
2. How is the Chocolate Fountain used?
Answer: The Chocolate Fountain can be used for anything you so desire; whether it be a wedding, banquet, brunch, catering event, or birthday. No matter what the occasion, it is sure to amaze the crowd and will be a guaranteed hit.
3. What can you dip in the Chocolate Fountain?
Answer: You can use marshmallows, pretzels, strawberries and other fruits, hard cookies, and anything edible that goes with chocolate. However, we strongly advise against anything crumbly (i.e. Muffins, flapjack, brownies, etc.) or that may easily slide off the skewers. Crumbs can clog the holes and block the constant flow of chocolate through the Fountain.
4. Is the Chocolate Fountain hard to clean?
Answer: No. Most Fountain will completely dismantle,, so you can put it into your dishwashing machine. Then dry thoroughly with a towel. The base has the motor and the electrical cords so you can not immerse the base into water. You will have to scoop or pour out all the excess chocolate into an empty container. You can then pour clean water into the base to clean the bowl and then clean the remaining outer base with wet towels. It is quick and easy.
5. Is the Fountain difficult to assemble?
Answer: No. The Chocolate Fountain comes in a few basic parts: (1) The base, with the motor and electrical cords; (2) the tower, which attaches to the four pegs inside the base bowl; (3) the auger, which goes inside the cylinder; (4) the three tiers, which are screwed onto the tube, and (5) the top hat, which is placed on the top of the Fountain.
6. What kind of chocolate do I use in the Chocolate Fountain?
Answer: Any Chocolate from exclusivechocolates.co.uk that is fountain ready is ideal for any size fountain .
You must use chocolate that is designed for chocolate fountain use , as this contain’s more cocoa butter , (or Couverture chocolate with 33% to 44% cocoa butter).
7. What is couverture chocolate?
Answer: Couverture is a chocolate that has more cocoa butter than regular chocolate, anywhere from 33% to 44%. This type of chocolate is used as a coating for things like truffles (“couverture” is French for “covering”). There are two ways of coating candies, either by hand dipping into melted chocolate or by enrobing, gently pouring chocolate over the treat.
8. Does the Chocolate Fountain melt the solid chocolate?
Answer: The Chocolate Fountain will melt the solid chocolate but, because of the low temperature, it would take a much longer time. We recommend melting the chocolate first over a double-boiler or in a microwave and then adding it to the Chocolate Fountain. Be sure that no water gets into the chocolate, as this will taint the chocolate.
9. How do I melt the chocolate?
Answer: They are three ways to melt the chocolate; in a double boiler, in a microwave, or in the Fountain itself.
Please go to our Blog and look on the Heating instuctions page for more information on melting chocolate. Exclusivechocolates.co.uk
10. How do I know if I melted the chocolate correctly?
Answer: The chocolate should not be too warm or too cold, and it should have a nice shine to it. Also, the thickness of the chocolate is very important for proper flow. Chocolate that is too thick will not flow but drop from tier to tier. Chocolate that is too thin will flow but will have gaps in the robing of the tiers.
11 . How long can the Chocolate Fountain run for before the chocolate hardens?
Answer: I would say at least 3 to 4 hr’s depending on the machine , because the Chocolate Fountain has a heating element. The Fountain will keep the chocolate at a constant temperature .
BEWARE if you switch the fountain off when there is chocolate in the tube after a shrt while this chocolate will start to go hard, make sure you can turn the cork screw in the middle of the tube before you switch the machine back on or this may result in you burning the motor out if it can’t turn properly.
12. What is the Chocolate Fountain made of?
Answer: The Chocolate Fountain is made from high quality grade stainless steel.
13. How many people does each Fountain serve?
Answer: it depends on the size of the machine from 20 to an unlimited amount of people if chocolate is continually added throughout the event.
15. Can the Chocolate Fountain be used outside?
Answer: Yes but with caution , the Fountain can be used outside but in limited areas. This is for two reasons. First, because chocolate has such an aroma that it will attract little flying creatures. Secondly, the chocolate needs to be kept warm at all times. Sometimes if there is a breeze of some sort it can catch the chocolate and blow it every where so you need to be protected from any breeze , or better yet with some sort of canopy or gaurd over the Fountain.
