Making Mini Donuts/ Starting a Little Orbits SS1200 donut machine 

I set my temp at 387 (set the dial half way between 375 and 400). You want to fry at 375, so if you start a little warmer, by the time all the donuts are dispensed, you will be frying around 375. The batter has an immediate cooling effect on the oil. I run my servo motor at speed #8, and have the dial on my hopper motor set to the largest (#5). Little Orbits is excellent for repairs. I've had all my motors rebuilt at some point over the years (my machine is now over 15 years old with 1.2 million donuts on it) as well as my propane firing unit tuned up. Overall it's been a reliable machine.

I use the Little Orbits mix, and Wesson MFB Shortening. The shortening comes in a 50 lb. block and is solid at room temp... you have to melt it down before adding it to the fryer. For the mix, I weigh out 40 ounces of mix, 15 ounces of cold water, and 7 ounces of steaming hot water. Mix with the mixer one minute on low, one minute on medium. Let sit for about 12-15 minutes. Fry in 390 degree oil.

Per the manufacturer: 2-1 mix- water ratio. Batter should be 70 degrees after mixing. Lil orbit site has a chart to help you figure out what temp water to use after temping premix and ambient. Mix low one minute high one minute. Don’t over-mix.let sit 10 minutes if possible. I use creamy vegetable shortening in 5 gallon jugs. Pour it right in. Temp is 375 deg

@@adamsmith5151 sir where can I find that chart ?

to much water in mix

Too much water and/or batter temp is way hotter than 70 deg. 2-1 mix - water ratio

The only issue I've come across with the aging of the machine is that the fry vat leaks a bit in a couple areas. Nothing horrible. I use a grease that is solid at room temp so it only leaks while I'm frying, and I simply put some foil underneath to catch the drips. Overall the machine can be a pain sometimes to run because there's no conveyor bringing the donuts through. If the oil level gets too low they will not flow into the flippers and it will get backed up. Sometimes they don't flip right. Sometimes if they come out a little too large you have to poke them along. Basically they call it fully automatic but you really have to keep your eye on it at all times. I've gotten quite good at running my Little Orbits machine, but if I were to do it all over again, I might go with a Belshaw as those have a conveyor and seem to really be fully automatic.

grnthmb55 thanks for your reply. I’ll look into Belshaw. I did a quick google search and I saw their prices 😱😱

Add slightly more water if you want them to come out puffier.

@@grnthmb55 thx

Get yourself a little digital scale. I make batches using 40 to 40.5 ounces of mix, then I fill the bowl with cold water until I reach 55 ounces, then I add steaming hot tea water until I hit 61 ounces. Mix on low for about a minute, then on high for about a minute, and run the entire batch through the machine immediately. Every bag of donut mix is slightly different so you might have to adjust the water a bit. Find what works for you. If the donuts are coming out too large, add less water. If they are too small, add a little more. The thinner the batter is, the more will drop down with each plunge, resulting in larger donuts. If the donut texture is coming out rough, the temperature of your batter is too cold so add more hot water and less cold water.

If they are coming out too puffy, you are adding too much water to your mix. Try adding a bit less water. Even an ounce will make a difference.

Weather will also affect your mix. Start at exactly 2 to 1 ratio and then adjust. When you lift your beater from the mix you should be able to see the consistency. Too wet, add more mix in very small amounts. Too dry, add more water in very very small amounts. I've been making donuts with Lil Orbits machines for 31 years. Made over 9 million mini donuts, love the machines, love the brand, love the customer service. I ONLY use Lil Orbits mix.

If they are not puffing up, you need to make the mixture thinner. Add a bit more water, and make sure the batter is freshly mixed when you run it through the machine (don't let it just sit in the hopper for a period of time before running the machine).

grnthmb55

Not enough water or the batter is too cold. Could also need to bump up hopper to #5 slot. 2-1 mix to water ratio and mixed batter should be at 70 degrees. Use a digital scale!Take temp of premix and ambient first. Adjust water temp to get it at 70 degrees. I run full speed and I stir it frequently with a wooden spoon.

I buy my mix from Little Orbits (www.lilorbits.com). Not sure what their secret recipe is.

The Belshaw system uses a conveyor belt.

@@grnthmb55 Thanks!

It does run off 110V, however my machine is propane fired. If you get a propane fired unit, you can certainly use it with a generator.

I use Little Orbits brand donut mix along with BBS shortening. The BBS shortening is solid at room temp. It comes in 50 lb. cubes and you can get it at Restaurant Depot.

@@grnthmb55 do you have any knowledge of using other mixes (home made) instead of the pre made commercial ones??

I bought mine on ebay. www.minidonuts.com usually has them for sale as well. Or you can buy one new directly from Little Orbits.

I got it for $3600 on Ebay. It had 2400 donuts on the counter at the time. Now it's got about 910,000. I think they are about $5500 brand new from Little Orbits, but if you buy it brand new from them, you get a lifetime warranty.

grnthmb55 dang!!!! Must be well built then. Thats expensive but i guess it pays for itself eventually.

BOLTTHESUPERDOG4 you get enough mix and stuff with your start up package to pay for itself when you've gone through your supplies

I don't see why not.

Good luck with that.

Possibly we can chat by phone? How hig the unit etcp

It's Little Orbits mix.

grnthmb55 thank you

Probably the best investment I've ever made.

Yes. I've had to have some work done to the propane firing unit, the hopper motor, and the servo motor. But it's got over a million donuts on it now so some maintenance is to be expected. And the trough leaks a bit of oil but I just put a tin tray underneath to catch the drips.

Hi sr , best Regards from Venezuela, i have the same machine but , I have some problems because the dough stays in the hopper and does not go down to form the donut, it is possible that you can sell me the recipe to prepare the donuts.

Vevor

Hola! Me pasa lo mismo! Pido ayuda también

I paid $3600 for it slightly used. Not sure what they go for new but I'm sure it's more than that.

@@grnthmb55 I've seen them 3,000 bucks brand new.

I found that one used on ebay with only 2400 donuts on the counter and paid $3600 for it if I remember correctly. I believe they sell new for about $5500. That is the gas model; the electric one is a bit cheaper.

Should be 375

I put the dial half-way between 375 and 400. The appropriate frying temperature is 375, but when the batter deposits into the oil, it immediately cools the oil so it's best to set the machine at around 387.

+grnthmb55 Hi! I have the 1200, do you have the metal pieces at the bottom in the machine or did you take them out. I'm trying to figure out why my donuts are not floating like yours are. Thank you!

I think it is best to set it at 375 and adjust the speed.

yo tambien

Yo también!

Nice catch. I always keep it set at 387. My burner unit ended up needing servicing last summer due to a power surge that burned it out. When it was in for servicing, they said my flame was weak and tweaked it up. I didn't realize it was weak because it got weak slowly over a long period of time. With the flame tweaked up to where it should be, yes, now it runs hotter and the donuts come out nice and golden brown.

surge protector

Well when the weather's dry I do good. It's been a very wet summer here in CT unfortunately, and that puts a damper on outdoor events.

@@grnthmb55 Are you going to local markets or some other type events? I'm starting one in Ireland at the moment so wish me luck!

@@thomasd2796 Did you ever get started selling donuts? If so, how is your business doing? (Is it a full-time business four you?)

bought the machine and stuff but I own another business which took off so I didn't really have time. Are you thinking of doing it?@@Quickdraw1111