Cryogenic technology involves the use of extremely low temperatures to freeze and preserve foods. This technology has become widely used in the food industry for several key reasons.
Improved Food Quality
One of the main advantages of using cryogenic freezing is it helps maintain the quality of foods better than other freezing methods. Cryogenic freezers can chill foods down to temperatures below -238°F in a matter of minutes. This rapid freezing prevents the formation of large ice crystals that can damage the cellular structure of foods. It also inhibits chemical and microbiological changes that lead to food spoilage. Foods frozen cryogenically better preserve their texture, color, flavor, and nutritional value.
Efficient Freezing Process
Conventional mechanical freezing systems rely on the gradual conduction of heat to lower the temperature. This is a slow process that can take hours or even days to fully freeze foods. Cryogenic systems from Demaco Cryogenics work much faster by directly contacting foods with liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide at extremely cold temperatures. The rapid freezing minimizes damage to the food’s structure and reduces freezing time significantly, allowing higher production rates.
Space-Saving Design
Cryogenic food freezers have a vertical design and smaller footprint compared to traditional horizontal freezing systems. Multiple food products can be quickly frozen in a compact cryogenic freezer, saving valuable floor space in processing facilities. The vertical design also allows for easier loading and unloading of foods.
Consistency and Precision
Cryogenic freezing systems allow precise control over the freezing parameters including temperature, length of exposure, and convection flow. This allows extremely consistent results, ensuring each batch of food is frozen to the exact required specifications. Conventional freezing methods can vary based on factors like batch size, freezer space, and door openings.
Improved Food Safety
The fast-freezing times achieved through cryogenic technology limit the growth of microorganisms and the formation of ice crystals better than slow freezing. This helps retain the food’s intrinsic qualities and provides greater food safety by reducing contamination risks. Bacteria have less time to grow and contaminate food in a cryogenic freezer.
Cost Savings
While cryogenic equipment requires a greater upfront investment, it can provide cost savings in the long run through more efficient production and higher yields of quality product. Maintenance costs are also lower compared to conventional mechanical freezing systems that have more complex components. The compact design can also save on facility construction costs.
Versatility
Cryogenic freezing technology is highly versatile and can effectively freeze a wide array of food products like meats, seafood, vegetables, baked goods, prepared meals, and more. The same equipment can be used for different foods by adjusting the freezing parameters as needed. This versatility makes the technology a worthwhile investment for food processors.
Environmental Benefits
Cryogenic gases like liquid nitrogen and carbon dioxide are non-toxic and non-flammable. They do not deplete ozone or produce greenhouse gases. This makes cryogenic freezing more environmentally friendly compared to mechanical refrigeration systems that use hydrofluorocarbons. The compact footprint of the equipment also saves space and materials.
Cryogenic freezing provides faster, higher quality freezing of foods along with production efficiencies, versatility, and environmental benefits. The precise control and consistency it allows makes this an ideal technology for food industry applications. As food quality standards and consumer demand rise, cryogenic technology will likely continue growing as an integral food preservation method.