|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

List of Food Manufacturing Machines

Food manufacturing machines come in a wide range depending on the type of food processing that's being performed. Some important characteristics of quality food processing equipment include safety features for the operator, hygienic materials such as stainless steel, easily replaceable wear parts such as motors, switches and pumps and a maintenance or service plan.

  1. Hydrocooler

    • Many fruits and vegetables begin to spoil soon after they're picked, so they're often cooled with a hydrocooler after harvesting and before transporting. Common items processed with a hydrocooler are asapargus, broccoli, peas and beans. The vegetable or fruit is drenched in cold water, and as the produce is transported, the evaporation of the cold water chills and helps preserve it. If the produce is going to be packed raw, a water filtering system is used on the hydrocooler to ensure the water is uncontaminated. Hydrocoolers vary in size and are capable of cooling 5,000 to 60,000 pounds of produce per hour. Some fruits and vegetables require different cooling times, depending on their size and density, and conveyor belts can be sped up or slowed down accordingly. Depending on the design, hydrocoolers can be used as stand-alone units or incorporated into a facility's refrigeration system.

    Vacuum Packer

    • Many food manufacturers use a vacuum packer to ensure their product remains fresh during transport and in the store. Vacuum packing also eliminates dehydration and freezer burn. Almost any food can be vacuum packed, including meat, chicken, fish, fruit and nuts. Vacuum packers are available in different sizes and types. Tabletop models, large and small, work well for smaller operations. For large food manufacturing facilities, dual chamber machines can double production capacity. Vacuum packers are constructed with stainless steel. Packers with rotary vane type pumps provide a strong, quick vacuum. Newer models will have digital controls to make adjustments to the vacuum, seal and cycle time easier.

    Fish Scaler

    • Fish scalers are designed for continuous scaling of all types of scaled fish including salmon, flounder, red snapper and tilapia. Scalers are available that will descale fish from four ounces to 16 pounds, and accommodate fish up to 12 inches wide. Depending on the fish, the machines can scale up to 125 fish per minute. Fish scalers can be used on a fishing boat or in food processing facilities. The machine operator loads the fish on a feeding table. The fish then drop through a chute onto a conveyor and are moved over descaling cutter heads. Water sprays the scales into a scale catcher, and also keeps the fish wet and fresh. When the fish is descaled, it's moved to the exit chute and dropped into a bin. With a proper fish scaling, the fish will have little or no damage.

Public Health - Related Articles