The spiral tunnel gyrofreezer is a piece of equipment used in the food industry to quickly and efficiently cool, freeze or deep-freeze products. It is especially important to ensure food quality and safety by reducing the temperature of food in a controlled and rapid manner, preserving its nutritional and sensory characteristics.
How the spiral tunnel gyrofreezer works:
Structure: The spiral tunnel consists of a spiral structure, usually made of stainless steel, which supports the tracks or hooks on which the food products are arranged. The spiral rotates constantly, which allows the products to advance along the tunnel while passing through different temperature zones.
Process: The food product is transported by a spiral belt, passing through zones with controlled temperature. Cold air is directed to the products through fans and air circulation systems, ensuring that the temperature is evenly distributed during the process.
Cooling and Freezing: Depending on the product's needs, the tunnel can operate under different temperature conditions:
Cooling: When the objective is only to reduce the product's temperature, as in the case of beverages or ready-to-eat foods.
Freezing: To reduce the temperature to -18°C or less, making the product suitable for long-term storage, such as meats and vegetables.
Deep-freezing: In deep-freezing, the objective is to reach extremely low temperatures quickly (generally below -30°C), to ensure the preservation of the texture, color and flavor of more sensitive foods, such as seafood, pasta and ice cream.
Processing Time: The time that the products remain in the tunnel depends on the type of product, the temperatures applied and the processing needs. The rotation speed of the spiral also influences this time.
Types of spiral tunnel gyrofreezer:
There are different types of spiral tunnel gyrofreezer, depending on the specific food processing needs:
Freezing Tunnel: Designed for conventional freezing of foods, such as meats, vegetables, breads, fruits and others. It is designed to operate at temperatures from -18°C to -30°C.
Ultra-freezing Tunnel: This type is designed to quickly freeze temperature-sensitive foods, reaching temperatures below -30°C, preserving the original characteristics of the food. It is ideal for products such as seafood, ice cream, frozen desserts and bakery products.
Rapid Cooling Tunnel: Used to cool foods that do not require freezing, but need to undergo a rapid temperature reduction process to prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
Examples of use include ready-to-eat products or beverages.
Most common products for which the spiral tunnel gyrofreezer is used:
Meats (beef, pork, chicken)
Seafood (fish, shrimp, shellfish)
Vegetables (frozen vegetables, herbs, fruits)
Pasta (such as lasagna or frozen pizza)
Bakery products (breads, croissants, pies)
Ice cream and frozen desserts
Fresh fruits and vegetables (to preserve texture and nutrients after freezing)
Advantages of the spiral tunnel gyrofreezer:
Efficiency: Allows for rapid cooling and freezing, which is essential to maintain food quality.
Space: The spiral structure allows for optimized use of space, since the products are arranged vertically while they circulate.
Quality Preservation: The rapid cooling or freezing process helps preserve the flavors, textures and nutrients of the food.
Flexibility: Can be used for a wide variety of products, from meat to bakery products or frozen fruits.
Conclusion:
The spiral tunnel gyrofreezer is an essential piece of equipment in the food industry, providing an effective and efficient way to cool, freeze or deep-freeze products. It ensures food quality and safety and is used for a wide range of products, such as meat, seafood, vegetables, pasta and ice cream. |
