Fat melting machine CMT100

Overview
A chocolate melting tank melts solid chocolate and holds it at 40–50 °C in a water-jacketed reservoir. It accepts callets, drops, broken rework pieces or solid blocks (with the block-only model), and provides an integrated chocolate pump to transfer molten chocolate downstream. Select by input format first, then required batch size and electrical supply.

Process suitability

• Use a melting tank when the product input is solid (callets, drops, broken rework or blocks) and full-batch melting is required.
• If chocolate arrives already liquid and only holding is needed, select a storage tank instead (melting tanks include full-batch melting hardware and are higher capital cost).
• Do not select cylindrical CMT models for direct melting of large solid blocks — they overload the agitator; use the CBM1000INS block melter for blocks.
• Range capacity limit: no model exceeds 1000 kg. For batch sizes >1000 kg, melting tanks in this range are unsuitable.

Electrical supply
CMT100 and CMT200: 220 V single-phase. CMT400 and CMT600: 220 V single-phase or 380 V three-phase. CMT1000INS and CBM1000INS: 380 V three-phase only.

Input format

• Callets, drops, broken rework → Cylindrical CMT models (CMT100 to CMT1000INS).
• Solid chocolate blocks or large solid rework blocks → CBM1000INS (rectangular block melter with heated grid).

Cylindrical vs Rectangular Melter
Cylindrical CMT models: vertical reservoir with variable-speed agitation and sidewall scrapers; suitable for free-flowing callets/drops/rework. Rectangular CBM1000INS: separate heated melting grid for blocks, rectangular reservoir below with horizontal agitation; designed specifically for direct loading of solid chocolate blocks.

Insulation: Energy Saving
Glass wool insulation around the water jacket (INS option) reduces heater duty cycle in continuous operation, lowers energy consumption per hour, and reduces waste heat to the room. CMT100, CMT200, CMT400 and CMT600 are not insulated; CMT1000INS and CBM1000INS are insulated and include extra features (see model specs).

Model Range — Selection table
Model | Capacity | Supply | Input | Base price (EXW Istanbul, excl. VAT) | Eliminate if...
CMT100 | 100 kg | 220 V / 1-phase | Callets / drops / broken rework | 11.800,00 € | You load solid blocks, or batch size exceeds 100 kg
CMT200 | 200 kg | 220 V / 1-phase | Callets / drops / broken rework | 13.300,00 € | You load solid blocks; batch size ≤100 kg (CMT100 covers it); or batch size >200 kg (CMT400)
CMT400 | 400 kg | 220 V / 1-phase or 380 V / 3-phase | Callets / drops / broken rework | 15.000,00 € | You load solid blocks; batch size ≤200 kg (CMT200 covers it); or batch size >400 kg (CMT600)
CMT600 | 600 kg | 220 V / 1-phase or 380 V / 3-phase | Callets / drops / broken rework | 18.600,00 € | You load solid blocks; batch size ≤400 kg (CMT400 covers it); batch size >600 kg (CMT1000INS) or continuous operation requires insulation
CMT1000INS | 1000 kg | 380 V / 3-phase | Callets / drops / broken rework | 30.000,00 € | You load solid blocks; supply is single-phase only; or the batch fits within 600 kg and insulated continuous-duty is not required
CBM1000INS | 1000 kg | 380 V / 3-phase | Solid chocolate blocks / solid rework blocks | 32.200,00 € | Your chocolate arrives as callets, drops, or broken rework pieces

Configuration options (availability and consequence if omitted)

• Automated heated valve — available CMT100 to CMT1000INS. Select when product flow must switch automatically between recirculation and transfer. If omitted, flow is switched manually and valve-seat heating is not provided (chocolate can set in the valve seat).
• Water-jacketed chocolate inlet assembly — available CMT100 to CMT600 (CMT1000INS has two inlet fittings standard). Select when an upstream pump feeds the tank through piping; if omitted the tank is charged by hand (no upstream pump connection).
• Product level sensor — available CMT100 to CMT1000INS (requires inlet assembly on smaller models). Select when the tank receives product automatically; if omitted there is no tank-level stop signal and unattended filling can overflow the tank.
• Stainless steel lobe pump — CBM1000INS only as option. Select when product or transfer duty is not suited to the standard gear pump; otherwise the standard gear pump is supplied.
• Load cells for weight-based batch control — CBM1000INS only (requires PLC + HMI). Select to stop transfer at a target batch weight; if omitted transfer quantity remains operator-dependent.
• PLC control with HMI — standard on CMT100 to CMT1000INS, optional on CBM1000INS. If omitted the machine runs on thermostat PID temperature control and cannot take load cells.

After melting: temporary hold and transfer
CMT models hold melted batches at constant temperature while feeding downstream equipment. If chocolate is already liquid, a storage tank is more cost-effective. Pumps should start only once a continuous liquid phase is established; otherwise the pump will stall against solid load.

Recirculation and reheating
Chocolate returning from a tempering bypass (around 29–32 °C) must be reheated before re-entry to a 40–50 °C tank to avoid localised crystallisation at the inlet. A decrystallization/reheat stage in the return line addresses this requirement; CMT1000INS provides two inlet fittings as standard to separate tempering return and fresh feed.

Position in the production line

• Previous step: Solid chocolate input (callets, drops, blocks, or rework).
• Next steps: Tempering machine and/or storage tank; downstream forming and coating equipment are normally fed from a tempering machine, not directly from the melting tank.

Maintenance, Cleaning, Warranty and Lead time

• Jacket water treatment: use 30% food-grade inhibited propylene glycol (per heat-transfer-fluid specification). Untreated hard water causes scale and reduces heater life.
• Pump and scraper: check integrated pump seals on schedule (gear-type on CMT100–CMT600 and CBM1000INS; lobe-type on CMT1000INS). Spring-loaded sidewall scrapers self-adjust and require negligible scheduled replacement.
• Cleaning at recipe changes: never flush with water. Pump out residual chocolate, flush and circulate warm cocoa butter or food-grade fat-based solvent at holding temperature, pump out the flush, and wipe inner surfaces to avoid flavour and colour carryover.
• Warranty: 1 year against manufacturing and construction defects.
• Lead time: 3–4 months from order (units built to specified capacity, voltage and piping).

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Construction: AISI 304 stainless steel (common to all models).
• Heating: Water-jacketed vessel with PID-controlled heating elements (autoclave-type heaters on insulated models; heaters not in direct contact with water).
• Control: PLC and HMI standard on CMT100–CMT1000INS; thermostat PID control without PLC where noted.
• Agitation: Variable-speed agitation with continuous or intermittent modes; sidewall scrapers to keep walls clean.
• Pumping: Integrated chocolate pump (gear-type standard on most models; stainless steel lobe-type pump on CMT1000INS or optionally on CBM1000INS).
• Typical holding temperature: 40–50 °C.
• Capacity range: 100 kg (CMT100) to 1000 kg (CMT1000INS, CBM1000INS).
• Power examples: CMT100 — 220 V 1-phase 2.4 kW; CMT200 — 220 V 1-phase 3.8 kW; CMT400 — 220/380 V 4.5 kW; CMT600 — 220/380 V 5.5 kW; CMT1000INS — 380 V 3-phase 12.7 kW; CBM1000INS — 380 V 3-phase 13.5 kW.
• Standard filtration: 1500 µm sieve filter on CMT1000INS.
• Mobility/installation: smaller cylindrical models mounted on casters for positioning; rectangular block melter is fixed.