Horizontal plate freezer

Types of horizontal plate freezers

An industrial horizontal plate freezer is a specialized machine used for freezing large quantities of food products quickly. Different types of horizontal plate freezers function on various mechanisms to offer distinct features and advantages.

• Recirculating brine horizontal plate freezer

  A recirculating brine horizontal plate freezer is a machine that uses a salt solution or brine to freeze food products placed on refrigerated plates. The freezer consists of multiple horizontal plates with a refrigerant flowing through them. As the brine passes through the compartments, it absorbs heat from the food product until it is completely frozen. A recirculating brine horizontal plate freezer can freeze foods in a short time, so it is great for businesses looking to maintain the quality and texture of their products.

• Air-blast horizontal plate freezer

  An air-blast horizontal plate freezer is a machine that uses cooled air to freeze food products placed between refrigerated plates. The freezer consists of multiple horizontal plates with a refrigerant flowing through them. Once the plates are closed, centrifugal fans are used to blast cold air into the compartments. As the cold air circulates around the food product, it absorbs heat until the product is completely frozen. An air-blast horizontal plate freezer is commonly used in the meat, seafood, and bakery industries.

• Liquid nitrogen horizontal plate freezer

  A liquid nitrogen horizontal plate freezer is a machine that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze food placed on horizontal plates quickly. The liquid nitrogen is pumped through the refrigerated plates, absorbing heat from the food product placed in the freezer until the product is completely frozen. A liquid nitrogen horizontal plate freezer is commonly used in the seafood industry. It is ideal for freezing products quickly at very low temperatures to maintain optimum quality and preserve flavor.

• Refrigerated horizontal plate freezer

  A refrigerated horizontal plate freezer is a machine that uses a refrigerant, such as ammonia or freon, flowing through horizontal plates to freeze food products. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the food product until it is completely frozen. A refrigerated horizontal plate freezer is suitable for large-scale freezing operations in food processing facilities, restaurants, and catering services.

Specifications and maintenance of horizontal plate freezers

Specifications

• Temperature range: Horizontal plate freezers can reach temperatures as low as -40??C to -60??C, which is suitable for freezing various materials.
• Freezing capacity: It is the quantity that a freezer can deal with in a given period. The freezing capacity of horizontal plate freezers is usually expressed as the weight of processed products per hour. Typically, the freezing capacity is between 100 kg/h and 10000 kg/h or more.
• Freezing time: The horizontal plate freezer can freeze food within 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the thickness of the product and the temperature of the freezer.
• Cooling medium: Refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, etc. are commonly used in horizontal plate freezers.

Maintenance

• Clean: Use water and neutral detergent to clean the inner and outer parts of the plate freezer. While cleaning, pay attention not to wash the electric parts to avoid electric leakage. Then dry it to avoid rust.
• Check the refrigerating system: Check the plate freezer's refrigerant, compressor, condenser, evaporator, etc. regularly to ensure the refrigerating system works well.
• Lubrication system maintenance: Check the lubricating oil level of the horizontal plate freezer and replenish or change it as required to ensure good lubrication and operation.
• Check electric parts: Check the electric parts of the horizontal plate freezer, such as switches, wires, etc. Ensure that the electric parts are connected properly and not worn or leaked.
• Maintain temperature control: Regularly check the temperature control device of the horizontal plate freezer to ensure that its control accuracy and stability are maintained.

Uses of horizontal plate freezers

Horizontal plate freezer machines have various uses across different industries. Their ability to quickly and uniformly freeze products makes them valuable in applications where maintaining quality, safety, and efficiency is crucial.

• Food Processing Industry

Plate freezers are widely used in the food processing industry. They freeze large quantities of food products, such as fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals. Plate freezing helps preserve food's texture, flavor, and nutritional value and extends its shelf life.

• Cold Storage Warehousing

Cold storage facilities use plate freezers to freeze food products and other perishable items before storing them. The freezers help maintain the quality of products during storage, making it possible to keep goods frozen for extended periods until they're required. Also, horizontal plate freezers' compact designs allow for easy stacking of products, which maximizes storage space.

• Cooking Freezer

Horizontal plate freezers are used in commercial kitchens, catering services, and restaurants to freeze cooked meals, sauces, and prepared food items. Freezing food helps maintain freshness and enables batch cooking for later reheating and service. Vertical plate freezers, in particular, are ideal for freezing entire meals and are widely used in home kitchens.

• Meat & Fish Industry

Plate freezers are commonly used in the meat and fish industries to freeze meat cuts, seafood, and fish fillets quickly. Freeze plates preserve the texture and quality of meat and fish products, making them suitable for export and long-term storage.

• Dairy Industry

Plate freezers are used to freeze dairy products like cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt. Freezing dairy products helps extend shelf life and maintain product integrity. Sudden freezing also prevents the formation of large ice crystals that can damage the texture of dairy products.

Overall, horizontal plate freezers are crucial for preserving the quality of products in various industries, including food processing, cold storage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and hospitality.

Choosing the right horizontal plate freezer

When choosing horizontal plate freezers for stock, it is essential to narrow down the options by focusing on the intended applications. Therefore, it's crucial first to identify the business's specific needs, including the type of food, its dimensions, weight, and the quantity of items that need freezing and the required freezing temperature. Once the food items are established, the most suitable plate freezer will be one that has enough capacity to accommodate them without overcrowding. Businesses should consider the horizontal plate freezer's freezing time. A machine with a quicker freezing time is more efficient, but this typically comes with a higher cost. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that the chosen freezing speed matches the operational requirements.

Are energy costs a concern? If so, consider the horizontal plate freezer's energy consumption and look for models that have energy-saving features like electronic expansion valves or eco-friendly refrigerants. If the machine will be used frequently, it's also worth looking into the horizontal plate freezer's durability and build quality. Investing in a freezer that is designed for heavy-duty use can result in long-term cost savings. Businesses that have multiple horizontal plate freezers or plan to use them for several years will benefit more from a freezer that is easy to maintain and has readily available spare parts.

Essential parts of any horizontal plate freezer, like the compressor and evaporator coils, should be easy to access, as they will need to be checked regularly. Avoid hidden components that are difficult to reach, as this makes maintenance more challenging. Usual horizontal plate freezer malfunctions, like broken compressors or faulty fans, can be exposed quickly because key components are within reach. If it is essential for people to see the horizontal plate freezer, look for models with tempered glass doors. They are strong, energy-efficient, and harmless to health and make it easy to view the product inside the freezer. A horizontal plate freezer with one or more transparent shelves can be a great way to display food items at a store. People will be able to see them clearly through the freezer's glass doors.

Q&A

Q: How large are industrial plate freezers?

A: The dimensions of plate freezer machines vary quite considerably. Small horizontal plate freezers might be around 3m x 1m x 1.5m. Large commercial freezers could be 7m x 3m x 3.5m or bigger and with more plates.

Q: How are products stacked inside a plate freezer?

A: Products are stacked inside a plate freezer by placing them in between the cold plates or cold plates and refrigeration plates. Proper spacing and arrangement should be applied to promote uniform freezing and airflow. Always refer to the manufacturer's instruction for guidance.

Q: Are plate freezers energy-efficient?

A: Yes, horizontal plate freezers are more energy-efficient compared to other types of freezers like blast freezers. They consume less energy thanks to the rapid heat transfer that occurs due to the cooling plates. The rapid freezing minimizes the operating time, which in turn reduces energy consumption.

Q: Can a plate freezer be used for something other than fish?

A: Yes, horizontal plate freezers are versatile and can be used to freeze different types of products besides fish, including meat, poultry, seafood, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, dairy products, and ice cream.