Fourth spiral freezer boosts frozen vegetable output
One of the UK's leading producers of frozen vegetable products has invested in its fourth spiral freezer from Starfrost.
When Cheviot Foods, part of the Prize Food Group, wanted to boost production by replacing an existing range of in-line freezing equipment with a single, increased capacity system, it went for Starfrost's flexible Helix Spiral system. This offers 24 hours a day, seven days a week freezing for a variety of value-added vegetable products.
It is the largest Starfrost system to date to be installed at the Cheviot Foods production facility in Amble, Northumberland.
The bespoke Helix Spiral features a 36 inch (0.9m) belt and just over 28 spiralling tiers around a single rotating drum. It also features an automated sequential defrost system.
Originally built as a 22-tier spiral, the system was designed to be upgraded if additional capacity was required by Cheviot Foods.
However, Starfrost completed the system upgrade within six months of the installation, boosting capacity by almost a third.
The system is now capable of processing up to 3,000kg/h of cooked potato products at -18°C.
The interior of the spiral freezer is constructed in durable stainless steel for ease of hygiene. A computerised touch-screen allows the user to monitor operational conditions to maximise performance.
Contact: Starfrost (UK) Tel: 01502 562206
