5 Types of Food Processing Equipment

What are the different types of food processing equipment? 

1. Preparation
2. Mechanical Processing
3. Heat Processing
4. Preservation
5. Packaging

Food processing refers to the methods used by the agricultural, food, and beverage industries to convert raw materials into finished food products. There is a wide variety of processed foods due to the many different types of grains, fruits, vegetables, meats, and beverages and their combinations. As a result, there are also numerous types of food processing equipment available for industrial use. This article will focus on the different types of industrial food processing equipment and how they function within the production process.

Preparation

The operation of food processing always begins with preparation. Raw food materials or ingredients undergo mechanical or chemical processing to separate what’s acceptable or undesirable in terms of quality. This also involves the removal of foreign matter or things that might contaminate the product – a step that is important for plant-based ingredients where soil or insects are commonly found.

In order to complete these tasks, specialized food processing equipment for preparation is required, such as spray washers, sterilizers, and flotation tanks. For ingredients that require peeling or skinning, abrasive rollers and large rotating drums are commonly used, in addition to pressure vessels that employ steam peeling. Sorting is also an important aspect of preparation, and for this process, equipment such as sieves, screens, sorting conveyors, and disc separators are utilized to sort by size or shape.

Mechanical Processing

Mechanical processing is a method of food processing that does not involve the use of chemicals or heat. This type of processing includes the reduction of size, emulsification, and mixing of ingredients to further the transformation into the desired food product. Mechanical food processing equipment alters the form, shape, size, and consistency of food materials. Impact and pressure mills, roll crushers, and strainers are used for grinding and crushing. Saws and blades are used for cutting and dicing, typically for meat, vegetables, and fruit products. For homogenization or emulsification, colloid mills are often employed, which improves the consistency of semi-solid and liquid food materials. Mixers are also used in mechanical processing and are particularly useful in making doughs or pastes.

Heat Processing

Heat processing refers to the augmentation of food products or their preservation by applying heat. Often, this includes cooking or partial integration of it.

The application of heat in food processing not only changes the physical properties of food but also its chemical properties. Heat processing improves flavor and purifies food by destroying microorganisms that cause spoilage. Due to the significance of heat processing, specialized food processing equipment is used such as large-scale ovens like batch ovens and continuous or semi-continuous ovens which are commonly used for baking biscuits or bread. Steam or hot water blanchers are employed for fruits and vegetables before they are dehydrated or frozen. Large fryers are also important as the heated fat or oil directly cooks the food, creating a desirable texture or crunch in products like chips. Pasteurization is another form of heat processing in which HTST or UHT pasteurizers sterilize and extend the shelf life of dairy products.

Preservation

Although in some categories the process of food preservation and heat processing overlap, there are other processes in which they are distinct.

The opposite of heat processing is refrigeration or freezing, which requires the use of chillers and other cryogenic systems. Other equipments such as smokers, vacuum, and freeze dryers preserve food by dehydrating it, inhibiting microbiological and enzymatic growth by reducing the moisture content of the product. Other preservation methods involve the use of liquids such as acids like vinegar or syrups to saturate fruits and vegetables, which is common in the preparation of pickles or fruit cocktails.

Packaging

The final stage of food and beverage processing is the packaging process. The main function of food packaging is to contain and protect the contents while preserving them by creating a physical barrier against potential damage from physical, chemical, and microbial sources and intrusion. Packaging also makes the food easy to use and consume by portioning them out for preparation. Packaging equipment such as canning machines, jar sealing equipment, bottling equipment, heat sealers, and boxing machines are crucial for manufacturers, who want to make their products convenient and desirable for consumers, as the packaging is often the first thing that consumers judge a product by.

Key Takeaway

There are different types of food processing equipment that help the food manufacturing industry produce goods consumed by humans daily. With the help of these machines, the entire process is sped up, making it quicker and more efficient.

If you’re looking for an engineering solutions provider to collaborate with, then contact us here at Industrial PH. Our team of certified engineers is ready to collaborate with you to design the best machinery used for food here in the Philippines.