Tuning Your Mixer
Why Tuning?To find the optimal proportions of dry mix and water so the viscosity of the batter remains consistent.
When dry mix and water are combined to make batter, they must be added in the correct proportion to achieve a desired viscosity. Finding the correct balance for each of your batters and maintaining that balance throughout the production period will help you achieve your pick-up percentage goals consistently.
You can adjust the rate at which water is added to the dry mix in the Wilevco mixer. For every batter recipe there is an optimal water flow rate setting. Tuning the mixer is how you arrive at this setting.
To carry out the tuning procedure you should be familiar with the locations of the switches, the water flow rate gauge and water flow rate valve on the mixer.
How to tune the mixer:
- After start up and having reached your batter’s correct viscosity, note the position/ number value of the red pen on the chart or the number value on the digital readout.
- Switch the mixer to manual.
- Manually turn both solids and liquids on at the same time and note the water flow rate.
- Let them run for approximately 45 to 60 seconds then shut them off.
- Wait a minute for the new batter to blend with the existing batter.
- Observe how the red pen or digital read out reacts during this period.
- If the pen moves up the chart more than one or two points or the digital readout rises more than one or two points, the batter is getting thicker, which means you are not adding enough water.
- To correct this, turn the water flow rate up, no more than ¼ GPM, then repeat steps 3-6.
- If the pen moves down the chart or the digital read out decreases, the batter is becoming thinner, which means you are adding too much water.
- To correct this, turn the water flow rate down, no more than ¼ GPM, then repeat steps 3-6.
- The goal is for the red pen or digital readout to remain at the same position throughout the tuning procedure, therefore holding steady throughout the production period.
- Fine tuning may be needed occasionally and can be accomplished after the mixer has been “tuned” and while the mixer is in "automatic". Observe how the red pen or digital readout performs during a filling cycle. If the pen or digital readout rises slightly during this period, tweak the water flow rate up. If the pen or digital readout falls slightly during this period, tweak the water rate down.