Maintaining food quality is the primary focus in any commercial kitchen, as everything boils down to the taste and hygiene of the food at a restaurant. The same is the case with the food production industry. But it is not an easy task, given that bacteria or fungi flowing in the air can ruin the massive batches of food, leading to heavy losses. There are several preservatives and spices used in food to avoid this, but they disturb the flavour of the food. Keeping the food quality preserved while not introducing additional edible chemicals can only be achieved through specialized devices. A Blast Chiller is one of the devices used in this case. In commercial kitchens and food processing plants, these are essential devices offering vital functions and aiding in the streamlined production.

Understanding Blast Chiller

Blast Chiller is a high-performing cooling machine that rapidly brings down the temperature of food to a point at which bacterial growth stops. Bacterial growth stops at temperatures below 4°C, so the food is maintained at this temperature in blast chillers. In the usual refrigerator, the temperature is maintained stable for long-term storage, but it cannot cool rapidly. The freezers can perform rapid cooling, but they form large ice crystals that destroy the cell structure of food. Therefore, blast chillers avoid both these drawbacks to work effectively by using the combination of the compressor, an evaporator, high-powered fans, and cold air.

Why a Blast Chiller is Essential

• Rapid Cooling: Blast chillers perform rapid cooling of food and keep it secure at a low temperature where bacteria can no longer grow inside the food.

• Safety Compliance: It is an essential device that helps restaurants and food companies comply with food safety regulations set by agencies like the FDA.

• Quality Preservation: It does not affect the food quality and locks in the flavour, taste, texture and smell. When it is being thawed, the cell structure remains intact.

• Batch Preparation: These can help in preparing food in large batches. Pre-cooked and post-cooked food in cafes, hostel mess, restaurants and all commercial kitchens.

• Large Capacity: Blast chillers have a large volume to support the high-scale production and food storage in commercial kitchens.

How to Choose a Blast Chiller

To choose a reliable, high-performing and energy-efficient blast chiller, make sure you know the capacity of the chiller required for your space. It should have precise temperature control with a user-friendly interface. To assess the build quality, look for the manufacturer's certifications regarding material quality, electrical devices and assembled units. The interiors should be food-grade and easy to clean. In short, check capacity, certificates, ergonomics, temperature controls and energy efficiency of the chiller.

Conclusion

 In essence, preventing bacterial growth at low temperatures without creating large crystals is the main function of the blast chillers. It is better than refrigerators and freezers at maintaining food preservation. The scope of application of the blast chiller is huge, with medium to high traffic restaurants and messes using it in their kitchens. It is also a streamlined process in the food processing industry. At home, blast chillers can be used to keep cooked food for a longer duration to cope with the busy routines in which there is hardly any time to cook daily.