Tempering chocolate: ± 2 °C too much?

Tempering chocolate: ± 2 °C too much? - Close up on mans hands tempering pencil over drawing

I am planning to buy a laser thermometer to measure the temperature of melted chocolate for tempering it. As I have found out, the thermometer I want to buy has a measuring tolerance of ± 2 °C. That means even if it shows the correct temperature on the display, the chocolate can be 2 °C too hot or 2 °C too cold. Will this cause any trouble? Do I really need a thermometer that has a smaller measuring tolerance?

FYI: 2 °C are about 36 °F

Edit: 2 °C are about 3.6 °F, thanks msh210!



Best Answer

Yes, it is too much. Chocolate has very tight working intervals. Dark chocolate must be used at 32°C. Below 30°C, it is too thick for use, and at 35°C, the cocoa butter separates from the chocolate. An error interval of 4°C when your complete workable interval is 5°C wide is simply unacceptable. You want a thermometer with a much higher precision, actually one which shows you tenths of degrees centigrade.

You also want a thermometer which reacts quickly enough. If you are working with small quantities, a ten seconds delay in measuring can give you errors of over half a degree centigrade, which is also a lot, given your tight working interval. Try finding a thermometer with a 4 sec response time or less.

Also, you don't want a laser thermometer at all! The difference in temperature between the surface of the chocolate and the mass of it near the bottom can be substantial, I once measured 4°C difference in something in a bowl with about a litter of stuff (it can't have been chocolate, probably it was custard, I forgot exactly). You need a candy thermometer for chocolate. Buy a laser thermometer separately for measuring the surfaces of pans, if you need it.

As a last note a 2°C interval is not 36°F, it is just below 4°F. The formula is 32 + 5/9, so your converter probably meant that when there are 2°C outside, a Fahrenheit thermometer shows 36°F. This is obviously incorrect for calculating intervals.




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What happens if chocolate is melted at too high a temperature?

Overheating Chocolate Overheated chocolate will lose the silky shine of melted chocolate and become thick and muddy. The best way to melt chocolate is in a double boiler, keeping the water hot (but not boiling), and using a candy or instant-read thermometer while melting the chocolate.

Can you temper chocolate if it gets too hot?

Never heat above 120\xb0F for bittersweet or semisweet chocolate. If tempering milk or white chocolate, avoid heating above 110\xb0F. This will sacrifice chocolate flavor. Any water will cause the chocolate to seize.

What is the correct temperature for tempering chocolate?

Your chocolate's maximum temperature depends on its type and which step in the process you are on. For example, dark chocolate should be melted between 120 and 130\xb0F (50\xb0C and 55\xb0C), while milk and white chocolate should melt at around 105-115\xb0F (40-45\xb0C).

What causes chocolate tempering failure?

What if my tempered chocolate goes out of temper again? Even perfectly tempered chocolate can become untempered again. This usually happens when you leave your chocolate at the wrong temperature for too long, destabilising the crystals. The good news is, chocolate can be re-tempered again and again.



Tempering Chocolate




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