Technical specifications to match your needs
Operational efficiency and better profit margins start with technical specifications that exactly suit your business. That’s why our approach always starts with asking what you need to succeed.
What you can expect from PTL melters
On average, our customers get excellent ROI on any investment in PTL melters. That’s because every machine is customed-designed to your needs with our thirty years of experience.
Services required
PTL melters only require power, air and water.
Safe, simple toolless changeovers
The melters are designed to make changeovers fast and simple, without needing tools
Designed for simplicity
Everything about your new PTL melter is crafted to make your life easier – from its portability to the ergonomic loading.
Powerful: 125% higher melt rates
The revolutionary design delivers instant melting and continuous process supply to increase downstream production without large tanks.
Compact: Significantly smaller footprint
Self-contained and compact, your melter can be located next to use point to avoid long pipe runs.
Flexible: changeovers transformed
Make it easier to switch masses/coatings fast, with a removable met grid, washdown design and fast simple cleaning.
Seamless installations and startups
Our team have the expertise and process experience to ensure installation and start up goes without a hitch.

Project planning and management
With our expert team involved in the project planning, execution and installation, you’ll know you’re covered for all the requirements and considerations.

Access to technical expertise
Get fast answers to your questions from our responsive technical team – they know our melters and they know your business.

Training and ongoing support
Upskill your team and realize full ROI faster with training and ongoing support from PTL.
Specifications
Use the table below to estimate possible melt rates of chips or buttons and blocks – from small (10lbs) to one-ton. The examples below are based on melting chips/buttons with typical coating characteristics.
S1 | S3 | D3 | |
Footprint | 66.92" x 46.85" | 91.46" x 80.71" | 157.48" x 80.71" |
Melt rate range | Up to 1100 Ib/hr (Product dependent) | Up to 3190 Ib/hr (Product dependent) | Up to 6380 Ib/hr (Product dependent) |
KW/Heating capacity | Up to 36 KW | Up to 36 KW | Up to 72 KW |
Priming time (this is the time from when product is loaded into the melter to the point where the product level in the tank is above the outlet port) | 15-20 minutes | ||
Typical cleaning time | 3 hours | 3.5 hours | 5 hours |
S1 | S3 | D3 | |
Footprint | 66.92" x 46.85" (1700 x 1190mm) | 91.46" x 80.71" (2323 x 2050mm) | 157.48" x 80.71" (4000 x 2050mm) |
Melter rate range | Up to: (product dependent) | Up to: (product dependent) | Up to: (product dependent) |
KW/heating capacity | Up to 36KW | Up to 36KW | Up to 72KW |
Priming time (This is the time from when product is loaded into the melter to the point where the product level in the tank is above the outlet port) | 15-20 mins | ||
Typical cleaning time (This includes both a hot water wash down with detergent and hand cleaning as required followed by the time for the machine to dry ready for the next product) | 3 hours | 3.5 hours | 5 hours |
FAQ
1. What is the cleaning / changeover procedure:
- Remove the melt head onto the wash down trolley.
- Scrape down tank and stirrer to remove any bulk build up of product. Use the quick access stirrer seal removal to make this simpler.
- Use a high-pressure hot water hose to hose down inside all product-contact areas.
- Turn the stirrer by hand, once the seal is removed.
- Hose melt head in the washroom.
- Carry out sanitizing procedures.
- Reassemble the machine and turn the heating back on for faster drying.
2: What is the maximum allowable temperature to melt and maintain the product at?
It can melt product at any temperature up to 80C (175F). Melted product in the hold tank below can also be maintained at temperatures of up to 60C (140F).
3: What is the time delay from machine start-up to production, i.e. time for the system to heat up ready for use?
It takes approximately 40 minutes to heat up. The product can be used as soon as the volume of melted product is above the pump suction outlet, and there is enough to fill the process system.
4: Can I connect the melter to an existing product pipeline in our factory?
Yes, the product outlet will connect to existing process equipment (with a triclover or your preferred connection). The melter also includes a triclover connection at the rear of the tank for product return to the melter, if required.
5: Do you offer any downstream process equipment to connect to this, e.g. product pipeline, process pump?
Yes, we offer several types of product delivery systems from the melter to your existing equipment. These include product filters and magnets, pumps, jacketed pipelines and sieve systems.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your requirements.
6: How long will it take to train new factory employees to use the melter?
The operation and changeover tasks on the melter are simple and intuitive, which allows factory workers to operate the machine after a short training session. PTL provide detailed instructions on the melter functions, and we also provide on-going support for your machine when needed.
7: How many workers are needed to operate and/or clean this machine?
For normal operation, you’ll only need one worker to load product onto the grid and / or adjust the machine settings. We recommend having two workers available during changeover of the melt-grid and removal of the stirrer.
8: Are there any difficult-to-reach areas, or laminate faces, that prevent the machine being fully allergen cleaned?
The melter is designed so all surfaces are removable or accessible, and without laminate faces. It has removable components to improve cleanability and enable you to meet strict allergen requirements. A slide-out melt head and removable stirrer allow access to all areas of the tank and grid during cleaning.
9: Can I customise the size and shape of the machine to suit my factory requirements?
We offer three standard sizes of the melter V20 (S1, S3 and D3), but if these don’t suit your requirements, please get in touch to discuss custom options.
10: What is the tank volume?
S3-V20 = Tank volume is 445 litres / 535 kg chocolate.
Other sizes confirm on request.
11: Are the tank and melt grid separate heating controls?
Yes, they are independent control zones.
12: What over-temperature protection is in place?
The water heating has a safety cut out temperature setting for both zones.
13: What feed/loading options are available?
13: What feed/loading options are available?
- Bulk bag gantry for gravity feed of wafers from super sacks
- Bulk tote dumping stations and feeding conveyors for wafers from totes or bulk drums
- Bag dump stations and feeding conveyors for wafers from boxes and bags
- Manual loading
14: What is the advantage of a PTL melter over a kettle?
It has a much smaller foot-print, but provides more power, faster priming, increased flexibility, easier access for cleaning and better availability of molten product. It’s portable, so you can also locate it next to the use point.
15: Will the holding tank overflow if it’s already full and there is product still on the melt grid?
No. The tank high level sensor will shut down the melt grid heating at the selected height.
16: Is the electric water heating system included as standard?
Yes. We can also use other heat sources if preferred, such as gas, plant hot water, and steam.
17: What products can we melt in the V20?
The melter is specifically designed for chocolate and compound chips/wafer/buttons and small blocks. However you can also melt cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, shortening and other fats in small and large block (up to 1 ton block) form. We would use the V20 or a block melter depending on the application.
PTL suppliers include:











GET IN TOUCH
USA Contact
Sales Enquiries
+1 262 349 0309
Support Enquiries
+1 414 439 2963
General Enquiries
+64 9 274 3514
Contact Us
Stay in touch
Keep up to date with our latest successes and innovations through our monthly newsletter
PTL - Creating innovative machinery, together.
Copyright PTL 2021.
Click to view our privacy policy.