A chocolate panning pan is a pan coating machine with chilled air supply that builds layers of chocolate, compound, or yogurt coating onto centres such as nuts, dried fruit, cereals, and biscuits. Rotation spreads the coating while cold, dry air sets each layer. Capacities of 5–250 kg of centres achieve coating ratios up to 3:1 coating to centre.
Centres are loaded and rotated at 4–24 RPM. Tempered chocolate (28–32°C) is sprayed or ladled in measured charges. Chilled, dehumidified air (10–16°C, below 50% RH) is blown into the pan to crystallize each layer before the next charge. After build-up, the product is smoothed, then transferred for glazing with shellac or gum arabic and final polishing.
Challenges
Crystallization Control
Incorrect chocolate temperature causes fat bloom and soft coats.
Clumping of Centres
Excess chocolate charge sticks centres together.
Moisture Condensation
Humid air condenses on cold product and causes sugar bloom.
Uneven Coating Thickness
Irregular centres receive variable coating.
Fat Build-Up on Pan Wall
Deposits on the pan reduce hygiene and product release.
Solutions
- Tempered Chocolate Feed System: Jacketed tank and heated lines hold 28–32°C for the correct crystal form.
- Timed Multi-Nozzle Dosing: Small metered charges spread chocolate evenly without clumping.
- Chilled Dehumidified Air Unit: 10–16°C air at controlled dew point prevents condensation.
- Variable Speed + Optimized Pan Profile: Even rolling action for irregular centres.
- Jacketed Pan Wall: Temperature-controlled jacket prevents fat build-up and eases cleaning.
Applications
- Confectionery: Chocolate coated almonds, cashews, raisins, and coffee beans.
- Bakery & Snacks: Coated biscuits, cereal balls, and crisp centres.
- Dairy: Yogurt and compound coated fruit pieces.
- Nutraceuticals: Coated protein bites and functional snack centres.
Models & Capacities: Laboratory to Large Production
| Model | Scale | Pan Ø [mm] | Batch Size [kg] | Brim Vol. [L] | Pan Speed [RPM] | Motor [kW] | Chilled Air [CMH] | Cooling [kW] | Overall L×W×H [mm] | Weight [kg] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHP-005 | Lab | 430 | 3–5 | 9.5 | 8–24 | 0.37 | 140 | 1 | 1250×750×1250 | 160 |
| CHP-010 | Pilot | 550 | 6.5–10 | 19 | 7–22 | 0.55 | 230 | 2 | 1400×850×1400 | 220 |
| CHP-015 | Pilot | 620 | 9.5–15 | 30 | 7–20 | 0.75 | 300 | 2.5 | 1500×900×1500 | 260 |
| CHP-020 | Pilot | 690 | 13–20 | 40 | 6–19 | 1.1 | 370 | 3 | 1600×1000×1550 | 300 |
| CHP-030 | Production | 780 | 19–30 | 60 | 6–18 | 1.5 | 490 | 4 | 1700×1100×1650 | 360 |
| CHP-040 | Production | 860 | 25–40 | 75 | 6–17 | 2.2 | 600 | 5 | 1800×1150×1750 | 430 |
| CHP-050 | Production | 930 | 30–50 | 95 | 6–17 | 2.2 | 700 | 5.5 | 1900×1250×1800 | 490 |
| CHP-075 | Production | 1,060 | 45–75 | 140 | 5–16 | 3 | 920 | 7.5 | 2100×1350×1950 | 610 |
| CHP-100 | Production | 1,170 | 65–100 | 190 | 5–15 | 3.7 | 1,150 | 9 | 2200×1450×2100 | 730 |
| CHP-150 | Production | 1,330 | 95–150 | 290 | 5–14 | 5.5 | 1,500 | 12 | 2450×1650×2250 | 920 |
| CHP-200 | Large Prod | 1,470 | 130–200 | 380 | 4–13 | 7.5 | 1,850 | 15 | 2600×1750×2400 | 1,100 |
| CHP-250 | Large Prod | 1,580 | 160–250 | 480 | 4–13 | 9.3 | 2,150 | 17 | 2750×1900×2550 | 1,250 |