Raw product value-adding is a rising trend among meat, poultry and seafood processors thanks to demand for protein and the growth of the convenience meals market.
For this reason, processors need to be able to make a wide range of food products, which makes line flexibility crucial, according to food processing and packaging equipment supplier, Heat and Control.
It’s not necessary to have a single line dedicated to a single product and most new processing lines being installed these days are designed to allow for the widest range of products to be produced with fast and easy changeovers.
For instance, a single line might include batter and breading application, frying (both full and par-fry), oven and seasoning/flavour application capability.
With this flexibility in mind, Heat and Control says the following two technologies are currently out-performing others in the prepared foods area.
Twin drum spiral oven
The twin drum spiral oven is the only twin spiral cooking system that gives processors complete and independent control of each drum’s cooking environment so they can follow precise recipes to make consistently uniform products, Heat and Control says.
Unlike twin spiral ovens in a divided single enclosure, this system features separate enclosures for each spiral to allow maximum temperature and moisture control.
Other features include independent cooking control for each spiral conveyor, uniform airflow across the belt and from top to bottom for improved performance, and cylindrical enclosures that eliminate hard-to-clean corners.
MasterTherm fryer
The MasterTherm thermal fluid heated fryer offers superior temperature uniformity across the fryer width, durability of the heat transfer tubes, and simple sanitation, according to Heat and Control.
The U-Tube heat exchanger evenly heats oil throughout the fryer. Low volume thermal fluid rapidly circulates through the heat exchanger, maintaining a consistent cooking temperature and quickly adjusting to changes in product load.
Each U-tube expands independently, greatly reducing mechanical stress and potential tube cracking. Generous spacing between heat transfer tubes facilitates cleaning and eliminates areas where fines can hide.
