Air Blast Freezer

What Is Air Blast Freezer?

 

 

An air blast freezer, also known as a blast chiller, is a specialized piece of refrigeration equipment used to rapidly cool or freeze food products. It works by using a combination of high-velocity cold air and advanced refrigeration technology to lower the temperature of food items quickly and efficiently.

 

Advantages of Air Blast Freezer

Flexible freezing

Air blast freezers are versatile and can handle a wide range of product shapes and sizes, from whole fish to fillets, making them ideal for varied production needs.

 

High freezing efficiency

The high-velocity cold air circulates around the product, ensuring rapid and uniform freezing, which helps in preserving the texture, taste, and nutritional value of the food.

Cost-effective

Typically more economical to install and operate than tunnel freezers, making it a good option for small to medium-sized operations.

Batch processing

Air blast freezers are usually designed for batch processing, which allows for flexibility in freezing different quantities and types of products.

 

Why Choose Us
 

Our factory
Founded in 1993, SPEEDCRYO is a leading provider of cryogenic food freezing solutions, offering comprehensive cold chain products and services globally.

 

Advanced equipment
We provide a range of freezing equipment to efficiently meet clients' food processing needs, including cryogenic cabinet freezer and tunnel individual quick freezing. These technologies and equipment have been widely used in meat and poultry foodstuffs, baked products, fruits and vegetables, aquatic products and various prepared dishes.

 

Rich experience
With over 28 years of experience in food quick freezing, we offer comprehensive and innovative cryogenic solutions.

 

Customized services
Our team of experts will work closely with you to understand your needs and will provide solutions that are tailored to meet your expectations.

 

Types of Air Blast Freezer
 

Batch air blast freezers
They are the most popular type of air blast freezers. They utilize fans to blow cold air over food products that are placed on trays, racks, or conveyors. The food items are then frozen in batches. Batch air blast freezers are versatile and can freeze a wide range of food products, from vegetables to meats. They are also ideal for small to medium-scale food processing operations.

 

Tunnel air blast freezers
They are designed to freeze food products that are moved through a tunnel or conveyor belt system. The food items are exposed to a continuous flow of cold air as they pass through the tunnel, allowing them to freeze rapidly and evenly. Tunnel air blast freezers are suitable for large-scale food processing operations that require high-volume production.

 

Spiral air blast freezers
They combine the concepts of batch and tunnel air blast freezers. The food items are placed on a spiral conveyor belt and moved through a freezing chamber. As the food products spiral downwards, they are exposed to descending levels of cold air, ensuring uniform and quick freezing. Spiral air blast freezers are ideal for large-scale production facilities that have limited floor space.

 

Hybrid air blast freezers
They are customized freezers that combine different freezing methods such as air blast and cryogenic freezing. Hybrid air blast freezers offer the benefits of both freezing techniques, including fast freezing rates and energy efficiency. They are suitable for specialized food processing applications that require precise control over the freezing process.

 

Application of Air Blast Freezer

 

Seafood IQF Flash Freezing Equipment

Food processing

In the food processing industry, air blast freezers are essential to maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods by rapidly reducing their temperature. This rapid cooling helps preserve the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of foods. Air blast freezers are widely used in the processing of meat, seafood, poultry, and ready-to-eat foods.

Lobster Flash Freezing Equipment

Baking industry

Another important application for air blast freezers is in the baking industry. Bakers and pastry chefs use these freezers to quickly cool and preserve baked goods such as bread, cakes, and pastries. Rapid freezing helps maintain the quality of baked products by preventing the formation of large ice crystals that can affect texture and taste.

Industrial IQF Air Blast Freezer

Seafood industry

The seafood industry also benefits greatly from the use of air blast freezer. Seafood is highly perishable and needs to be frozen immediately to preserve its freshness and quality. Air blast freezers are used to quickly freeze fish and other seafood products after they are caught, ensuring they are in top condition before reaching the consumer. This rapid freezing process helps preserve the texture and flavor of seafood, which is essential for consumer satisfaction.

 

How to Maintain Air Blast Freezer

 

Regular cleaning

Regular cleaning is crucial to keep your air blast freezer in optimal condition. Follow these cleaning tips:


Interior cleaning: Clean the interior of the air blast freezer regularly using a mild detergent and warm water. Pay attention to removing any food particles, spills, or residues that may accumulate.

 

Exterior cleaning: Wipe down the exterior surfaces with a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove dirt and grease. Avoid using abrasive cleaners that may damage the finish.

 

Door gasket cleaning: Clean the door gasket with warm water and mild soap. Ensure it is free from debris and properly seal the door to maintain energy efficiency.

 

Condenser coil cleaning: Check the condenser coils regularly and clean them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Dust and debris accumulation can impair cooling efficiency.

 

Fan cleaning: Clean the fans to ensure proper airflow and prevent dust buildup that can hinder the cooling performance. Refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning instructions.

Temperature and defrosting

Maintaining the correct temperature and defrosting your air blast freezer are essential for its efficient operation:


Temperature monitoring: Regularly monitor the temperature of your air blast freezer to ensure it stays within the safe operating range. Use a calibrated thermometer for accurate readings.

 

Defrosting: Follow the recommended defrosting schedule for your air blast freezer. Defrosting removes ice buildup and maintains the chiller's efficiency. Ensure the unit is powered off and unplugged during the defrosting process.

Door seal and hinges

Proper care of the door seal and hinges is essential for maintaining the efficiency of your air blast freezer:


Door seal inspection: Regularly inspect the door seal for any signs of wear, cracks, or damage. Replace the seal if it is compromised to maintain proper sealing and prevent temperature leaks.

 

Hinge lubrication: Lubricate the door hinges as per the manufacturer's instructions to ensure smooth operation and prevent squeaking or sticking.

Scheduled maintenance and servicing

Regular servicing and maintenance by a qualified technician are essential to keep your air blast freezer in optimal condition:


Scheduled maintenance: Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Arrange for periodic inspections, cleaning, and servicing by a qualified technician.

 

Component check: During maintenance visits, have the technician check critical components such as fans, compressors, electrical connections, and refrigerant levels to ensure everything is functioning correctly.

Record keeping and documentation

Maintain proper records and documentation for your air blast freezer:


Maintenance records: Keep a log of all maintenance activities, repairs, and services performed on your air blast freezer. This documentation can help track the history of the equipment and assist in warranty claims if necessary.

 

How to Choose a Air Blast Freezer

Evaluate the freezing capacity of a air blast freezer
This includes how much food it can freeze in a set amount of time. Businesses handling large quantities of food will need a freezer with a higher freezing capacity to meet their production demands.

 

Size and dimensions of air blast freezer
It is essential to ensure that the freezer can fit within the existing floor plan and meet the business's spatial requirements.

 

Airflow pattern
The airflow pattern is another important factor to consider. Many businesses prefer cross-belt airflow patterns because they freeze the food product more evenly and quickly.

 

Freezing time
While most air blast freezer freeze food products within 30 minutes to a couple of hours, some models may take longer. In many cases, the freezing time is also dependent on the type and size of the food product.

 

Construction of blast freezers
Air blast freezers are available in stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel constructions. Stainless steel models are the most durable and can withstand heavy usage in commercial kitchens. Aluminum models are lightweight and suitable for businesses on a budget.

 

Insulation
Check the insulation of the air blast freezer because it plays an important role in maintaining the temperature and energy efficiency of the freezer.

 

After-sales service
Check if the supplier offers after-sales support and maintenance services. It is also crucial to look for a supplier that offers an easy and efficient replacement process in case the freezer is damaged during shipping.

 

How the Air Blast Freezer Works

 

Product placement: Food items or products are placed on racks or trays inside the air blast freezer. These products may include cooked or prepared foods, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and bakery items.

 

Air circulation: The air blast freezer is equipped with a powerful fan or fans that circulate cold air at a high velocity within the chamber. This rapid airflow is essential for achieving quick and uniform cooling or freezing.

 

Temperature control: The air blast freezer has precise temperature controls that allow operators to set the desired temperature for the chilling or freezing process. Air blast freezers are capable of reaching extremely low temperatures, often as low as -35°c (-31°f) or lower.

 

Heat extraction: As the cold air circulates around the food items, it extracts heat from them. This heat is absorbed by the evaporator coils, which contain a refrigerant fluid. The refrigerant rapidly evaporates, absorbing heat energy from the air within the chamber.

 

Condensation: The heat absorbed by the refrigerant causes it to vaporize and turn into a low-pressure gas. This gas is then compressed by the compressor unit of the blast freezer, raising its temperature and pressure.

 

Rejection of heat: The high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas is passed through a condenser, where it releases the heat it absorbed from the food products. The refrigerant returns to a liquid state during this process.

 

Repeat cycle: This cycle of heat extraction, compression, and heat rejection continues until the desired temperature inside the blast freezer is achieved. The powerful circulation of cold air ensures that the entire load of products cools or freezes uniformly and rapidly.

 

Temperature monitoring: Most air blast freezers are equipped with temperature monitoring and control systems to ensure that the desired temperature is maintained throughout the process.

 

 
Our Factory

 

Founded in 1993, SPEEDCRYO is a leading provider of cryogenic food freezing solutions, offering comprehensive cold chain products and services globally. From industrial freezers to automated conveying freezing tunnels, cold storage room, and refrigerated truck, our 30 years of expertise empower food manufacturers and processors worldwide with cutting-edge freezing technology.

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Our certificates

 

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FAQ

 

Q: What is the difference between a plate freezer and an air blast freezer?

A: The major advantages plate freezers have over air blast freezers is the absence of high powered fans, which in air blast freezers contribute significantly to the refrigeration load and the much higher heat transfer rate achieved by direct contact between the refrigerated plates and the cartons.

Q: What is the advantage of air blast freezing?

A: Blast freezing significantly extends the shelf life of perishable products. Rapidly freezing food inhibits the growth of microorganisms and enzymes responsible for spoilage and degradation.

Q: What temperature is an air blast freezer?

A: Blast Freezers operate at an air temperature of -30°C to -40°C, compared to the standard freezer, usually kept at 0°C. While a normal freezer takes around 6-12 hours to freeze food, the much colder temperature in a blast freezer provides an accelerated freezing process of approximately 3 hours.

Q: What is the process of air blast freezer?

A: The basic principle of an air blast freezer is to blow cold air over the product, either stacked on trays or moving continuously through an insulated room. The temperatures of the freezing media used are typically between −35 °C and −52 °C (Dempsey and Bansal, 2012).

Q: What is the difference between freezing and blast freezing?

A: The main difference between a freezer and a blast chiller is that a freezer holds food at below freezing temperature while a blast chiller cools food quickly by blowing cold air over it and gradually dropping the temperature, ensuring that the food maintains its quality while cooling.

Q: What is the application of air blast freezer?

A: Seafood, meat like as chicken, beef and shrimp can be frozen in the blast freezers. It is also used to freeze bakery, pastry and ice cream. As it performs excellently to freeze the foods very quick, it is essential equipment for hotels, supermarkets, refectories, canteens and small food processing plants.

Q: How does an air blast freezer work?

A: A blast freezer utilizes high-velocity cold air to quickly freeze food items. It circulates extremely cold air, typically around -40°C (-40°F) or lower, over the surface of the food. This rapid air movement helps remove heat from the food quickly, resulting in a fast freezing process.

Q: What is the difference between air blast freezing and cryogenic freezing?

A: The first noticeable difference between air blast freezers (or chilling units) and cryogenic freezers is the size of the machine and the time required to reach your desired end temperature. Find out what it means for your product with this interactive tool.

Q: What are the requirements for a blast freezer?

A: It is crucial to consider relationship between wind speed and temperature the maximum freezing effect on the goods. For Air Blast Freezer both continuous and batch, should have cold air velocity around 1.5-6 m/s and temperature from -30 to -40 degree Celsius and display in the table below.

Q: How much air speed in blast freezer?

A: In blast freezing, foods are placed in a unit then subjected to a series of cold air flows at speeds of around 10-15 metres per second, which bring the temperature of the foods to below -24°C, sometimes as low as -30°C or -45°C, quite rapidly.

Q: What is the best way to operate an air blast freezer?

A: Operating an air blast freezer involves following the right procedure. Before loading the products, the first step is to pre-cool the air blast freezers by setting the temperature to -30°C. Once the pre-cooling is complete and the temperature is stable, the loading process can begin. The process should be done with care to avoid blocking the air vents. After the product is evenly distributed in the freezer, the door should be closed and locked to prevent any leakage. The temperature should be adjusted to the required value, and the record should be kept.

Q: How long does air blast freezer take?

A: Air blast freezers are used to freeze food commodities from a chilled temperature to their desired storage temperature (product dependant) with air temperatures between -35°C and -45°C. Typically, the freezing time varies from 12-48 hours.

Q: What is the difference between a blast freezer and a normal freezer?

A: Rapid freeze products 80% faster than normal freezer! You can now reduce food costs and maintain food quality easily. Extend the shelf life of raw or cooked food 3 to 5 times longer!

Q: What is the difference between a shock freezer and a blast freezer?

A: Speed and Efficiency: Shock freezing is superior in terms of speed, effectively halting biological activity within seconds, compared to the several minutes or even hours it might take with blast freezing.

Q: What is the difference between a blast freezer and a deep freezer?

A: Blast Freezers operate at an air temperature of -30°C to -40°C, compared to the standard freezer, usually kept at 0°C. While a normal freezer takes around 6-12 hours to freeze food, the much colder temperature in a blast freezer provides an accelerated freezing process of approximately 3 hours.

Q: Is a blast chiller the same as a blast freezer?

A: The main difference between a blast chiller and a blast freezer is the temperature range and the duration of the cooling or freezing process. A blast chiller cools food to a safe temperature that prevents bacterial growth, while a blast freezer freezes food to a very low temperature that stops all biological activity.

Q: What is the definition of an air blast freezer?

A: Air Blast Freezer is a refrigeration machine unit for rapid freezing that uses the method of blowing air as its cooling. Evaporator fan plays an important role in the performance of the evaporator in the Air Blast Freezer to freeze the product.

Q: How is air blast freezing done?

A: Air blast freezers use the principle of forced convection heat exchange to freeze products. Products will be quickly frozen by high-pressure circulating cold air, blown directly from the cooling fan onto the product surface.

Q: What are the components of a blast freezer?

A: The main components of a blast chiller include compressors, fans and refrigeration units. They all work together to achieve a quick and uniform cooling and preserve the food's texture and nutritional value.

Q: What are the advantages of air blast freezers?

A: Air blast freezers are more energy-efficient than other types of freezers. They can also cool food quickly, which will help food companies increase production. Food that has been frozen with air blast freezers will have a longer shelf life than those frozen with other types of freezers. Air blast freezers are more expensive to operate and maintain than other types of freezers. They are also less energy-efficient.

We're professional air blast freezer manufacturers and suppliers in China, specialized in providing customized refrigeration equipment. We warmly welcome you to buy or wholesale high quality air blast freezer for sale here from our factory. For price consultation, contact us.

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