Ashley Cortazzo | Stover & Company

Sellouts, Restocks & Discontinued Items: What to know!

Sep 16, 2025

We know how much YOU love our chocolate & melting wafers! Sometimes you love it so much that our inventory depletes faster than we can keep up with! While our production team works hard to keep up with demand & prevent sellouts, sometimes it can take us a little while to recover from times of high demand, especially during busy seasons.

Sellouts & Restocks:
If you’ve ever clicked on a product & seen that dreaded “Out of Stock” notice, here’s what to know:

As a local distributor, we service many regional bakeries (in the Pittsburgh & Cleveland areas) via weekly deliveries, so some items like frozen goods or specific packaging are only available for local delivery or customer pickup, which is why they are listed as out of stock online. That said, this usually doesn’t apply to our chocolate & compound coating items.

As for items that are truly out of stock, we always recommend signing up for a Restock Notification!

Signing up is super easy:

Step 1: Head to the product page

Step 2: Select the size you’re looking for

Step 3: Enter your email & click subscribe

That’s it! As soon as the product is available for purchase again, you’ll receive an email to let you know it's time to shop! Act quickly, as you are likely not the only one being notified. If the product is showing as "Out of Stock" again, you may have missed the restock.

*Please note, our team is unable to provide exact restock dates. Signing up for a restock notification is the best way to keep an eye on our inventory & restocks!

Important Update: RE: Merckens: Heads up! Cargill has shorted our upcoming Merckens order. What does that mean for you? A very limited restock is not expected until 2026. If you need melting wafers sooner, we recommend trying Sweet Shoppe wafers as an alternative, otherwise please sign up for a restock notification.

Discontiued Products:
Our website team is currently working to remove discontinued items from our online catalog to make shopping easier for YOU! Over the next few weeks, if you can no longer find a product on our site, that likely means it has been discontinued. If that happens, please reach out to our customer service team for advice on finding a replacement item. We’re always happy to help you track down the next best thing!

We’re Here to Help:
Questions about your order? Looking for alternate products? Our team is always happy to assist! Contact customer service at info@stovercompany.com or 724.274.6314 or check out our FAQ page!

Smart Shipping Tips: Cold Packaging Offered Year Round

Sep 8, 2025

As summer winds down, it’s important to remember that warm temperatures still pose a risk for chocolate, caramel & coating products in transit. That’s why we always highly recommend adding our Protective Cold Packaging to your orders year round!

Cld Pack Box & Ice Packs

Insulation & Ice Packs:

Our cold packaging add-on includes insulated panels & ice packs to help create a cooler environment during transit. While these added reinforcements helps provide the best chance for your order to arrive unmelted, it’s important to remember that cold packaging is not a guarantee* against melting. Once your package leaves our facility, it may be exposed to conditions beyond our control, such as high temperatures, carrier delays & extended transit times.

That’s why we offer cold packaging year round — to help protect sensitive products like chocolate, caramel & coatings from temperature swings in transit. If the ice packs arrive melted by the time your package arrives, rest assured knowing that they’ve already done their job by helping lower the internal temperature of your package during shipment!

*Please note: Stover & Company does not offer refunds or replacements for products that melt during shipping, with or without cold packaging. Please consider this carefully before placing your order.

How much do I need?

Our system automatically calculates the appropriate amount of cold packaging needed based on the total weight of chocolate & caramel products in your shopping cart, so there’s no guesswork required!

Plan ahead for Delivery Days:

Once your package leaves our facility, it may be exposed to extreme conditions we can’t control, including temperatures over 100°F in some shipping facilities. Please note, our cold packaging add-on is designed to handle temperatures between 80–90°F for up to 72 hours, but after that, the risk of melting increases significantly.

To help keep your order in the best condition possible:

Select Express Shipping to reduce time in transit
Be ready to bring your package inside immediately
Store it in a cool, temperature controlled environment
Avoid leaving it outside or in direct sunlight

What If My Chocolate Melts in Transit?

The good news — melted compounds & chocolate are still perfectly usable! Even if your chocolate arrives soft, misshapen or fully melted, it hasn’t gone bad. Most compound products are not perishable, so a little heat doesn’t spoil them, it simply changes their form. While your order may arrive soft, stuck together, or misshapen, it’s still completely safe to use & will perform just as intended once remelted.

If your chocolate does melt in transit, here’s what we always recommend:

1. Pour the melted chocolate or compound onto a sheet of parchment paper

2. Spread it out evenly & let it cool until set

3. Break it into bark-sized pieces & store like normal

A little melt doesn’t mean your order is ruined — just give it a little time to reset & you’ll be good to go! Once solidified, you can melt, bake, dip, or decorate with it as you would any other chocolate or compound coating!

PRO TIP: Check out our Youtube Channel for Instructional Videos!

We’re Here to Help:

Questions about your order? Looking for bulk chocolate solutions? Our team is always happy to assist! Contact us at info@stovercompany.com or 724.274.6314.

*Please note: Stover & Company does not offer refunds or replacements for products that melt during shipping, with or without cold packaging. Please consider this carefully before placing your order.

How to Melt & Store Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers

Aug 1, 2025

A simple guide to getting the perfect dip, drizzle, or mold every time with Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers!

Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers come in a delicious range of flavors & colors. From our core collection featuring Ultra White, White, Milk, & Dark, to our range of seasonal flavored melting wafers, each one is specially formulated to melt into a smooth, velvety coating that’s easy to work with & gives a beautiful, shiny finish!

No tempering required. Just choose your prefered melting method & you’re ready to go!

Whether you’re making cake pops, coating pretzels, or creating custom molds, here’s everything you need to know to Melt & Store your Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers the right way.

How to Melt Sweet Shoppe Wafers

There are a few different ways to melt your wafers, depending on what you have in your kitchen & what you’re most comfortable with.

Microwave Method: This is the most common method, & it’s great for quick, small batches.

1. Place your wafers in a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Microwave on low for 30 seconds.

3. Stir gently to spread the heat, even if it looks like nothing’s melted yet.

4. Continue microwaving in 15 to 20 second intervals, stirring after each round, until completely melted.

Take your time with this part. Rushing the process can overheat your coating, which changes the texture. The goal is smooth & pourable, like a little waterfall of sweetness.

Double Boiler Method: This method gives you a bit more temperature control.

1. Bring the water in your double boiler to a low simmer.

2. Add your wafers to the top pot & stir continuously.

3. Keep an eye on the temperature. Aim for 86 to 90°F to keep the consistency just right.

Melting Pot Method: If you’re working on a larger batch or need the coating to stay melted while you work, this one’s for you.

1. Turn your melting pot to the lowest setting.

2. Add your wafers & stir every so often until melted.

3. Make sure the temperature stays below 100°F. Anything hotter can burn the coating & it won’t recover.

Once melted, you’re ready to dip, drizzle, or mold your way to something sweet.

How to Store Sweet Shoppe Wafers

Leftover Melted Coating: If your melting container has a lid, just let the coating cool, pop the lid on, & store it as is. You can remelt it later when you’re ready to use it again.

No lid? No worries. Pour the leftover coating onto a piece of parchment paper, let it harden, then break it up into bark-sized pieces. Store those pieces back in the resealable bag or in an airtight container.

Unmelted Wafers: Keep your wafers in their original resealable bag, or transfer them (with the case liner) to a food-safe container that has a tight-fitting lid. Containers with a silicone seal work best to keep moisture out. Store them in a cool, dry place between 55-65°F. The key is keeping humidity low!! If the wafers absorb moisture, they’ll be harder to work with next time. Avoid storing Melting Wafers in the fridge.

Where to Buy: You can find our full collection of Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers online at stovercompany.com.

Be sure to follow @stoverandcompany & all of our Sweet Team members on social media for even more tips, tutorials, & treat inspiration.

Whether you’re just getting started or already a treat-making pro, Sweet Shoppe Melting Wafers make it easy to create something beautiful & delicious.

Protect Your Order from Summer Heat

Jun 10, 2025

Warm weather & sweet treats don’t always mix. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of melting during transit, especially for chocolate, caramel & coating products. That’s why we highly recommend* adding our Protective Cold Packaging to your summer orders!

Cld Pack Box & Ice Packs

Keep Your Chocolate Safe Even in the Heat

Our cold packaging add on includes insulated panels & ice packs to help create a cooler environment during transit. While it's important to remember that no solution is completely melt proof, this added layer of protection gives your order the best possible chance of arriving in top shape, even if the ice packs are melted by the time your package arrives.

We offer cold packaging year round & our system automatically calculates the appropriate amount based on your cart’s chocolate & caramel weight. No guesswork required!

Pro Tip: If your area regularly reaches 75°F or higher, we strongly recommend selecting cold packaging during checkout!

Plan Ahead for Delivery Days

Once your package leaves our facility, it may be exposed to extreme conditions we can’t control, including heat over 100°F in some areas. Our packaging is designed to handle temperatures between 80–90°F for up to 72 hours, but after that, the risk of melting increases significantly.

To keep your order in the best condition possible:

Select Express Shipping to reduce time in transit
Be ready to bring your package inside immediately
Store it in a cool, temperature controlled environment
Avoid leaving it outside or in direct sunlight

Please note: Stover & Company cannot be responsible for packages left unattended in hot conditions, or orders that melt in transit.

What If My Chocolate Melts in Transit?

Good news — melted compounds & chocolate are still perfectly usable! Even if your chocolate or compound arrives a little soft or fully melted, it hasn’t gone bad. Most compound products are not perishable, so a little heat won’t spoil them, it simply changes it's form. So while they may arrive soft, stuck together, or misshapen, they are still completely safe to use & will perform just as intended once remelted.

If your chocolate does melt in transit, here’s what we always recommend: Pour the melted chocolate onto a sheet of parchment paper, spread it out evenly, let it cool & set, then break it up into bark size pieces & store it like normal. Once it solidifies, you can use it just as you would any other chocolate — for melting, baking, dipping, or decorating.

A little melt doesn’t mean your order is ruined — just give it a little time to reset & you’ll be good to go!

*Please note we do not offer refunds or replacements for products that melt during shipping, with or without the cold packaging, so please consider this before placing your order.

PRO TIP: The best way to beat summer heat? Stock up early! Place your orders in the spring—before the temps begin to rise!

We’re Here to Help
Questions about your order? Looking for bulk chocolate solutions? Our team is always happy to assist: info@stovercompany.com | 724.274.6314