[Must-see for beginners] What's so great about rapid freezers? Easy-to-understand explanation of the mechanism and benefits!

"I want to try rapid freezer, but I don't know where to start."
Are you worried about this?

rapid freezer have been attracting attention recently due to the expansion of e-commerce usage and labor shortages.
Freezing technology that preserves the freshness of food and recreates its ``fresh taste'' is becoming an indispensable piece of equipment for food businesses to develop new business and improve management.

However, even though it is vaguely known that the performance is superior to general home and commercial freezers, what is the structure of the refrigeration technology, the price range, and what kind of applications can it be used for? There may be many people who do not know this.

Therefore, this time, we will teach the basics of rapid freezer for those who are interested in the recent hot topic of rapid freezer.
We will explain the points you should keep in mind when considering the introduction rapid freezing, such as the reason why food frozen using quick rapid freezer of high quality, the types of machines, prices, and the benefits of introducing rapid freezer.

First of all, what is rapid freezer? Differences from conventional refrigerators

rapid freezing is a freezing technology that locks in flavor and maintains quality by freezing food quickly.

The temperature range in which water in food turns into ice is said to be -1℃ to -5℃, and by passing food through this temperature range quickly, ice crystals can be prevented from destroying cells.

rapid freezer is a refrigerator equipped with this technology, and is also called a "rapid freezer" because it is not a storage unit but a machine with excellent freezing technology.

In the case of standard home and commercial freezers, the temperature of food slowly drops, causing water to expand and ice crystals to grow. This destroys the cell membrane, and when the food is thawed, the flavor components leak out. This is what is called drip.

Additionally, freezing food by exposing it to cold air can dry out the food, resulting in poor texture and color.

rapid freezer minimizes the leakage of flavor components and recreates the deliciousness before freezing when thawed. This technology overturns the stereotype that "frozen = not delicious" and creates new possibilities for the frozen food business.

What is it used for? What about cooked food?

So, what kind of businesses are using commercial rapid freezer?

Until a few years ago, it was mainly used by fisheries producers and food processors, but with the development of freezing technology for rapid freezer, the range of applications has recently expanded.

Recently, rapid freezer have been developed that can freeze​ ​cooked foods, hot foods, noodles, fried foods, etc. to high quality, and rapid freezing can now be used for all kinds of foods.

As a result, its use in local businesses such as caterers and restaurants has expanded. There are also compact types and models that can be customized to suit the installation location, and rapid freezer are becoming popular not only in large factories but also in privately run shops.

With the penetration of e-commerce and delivery services, consumers' eating styles and food purchasing methods are diversifying. Companies aiming to expand their business by riding the wave of these lifestyle changes and trends are starting to take action, sensing a business opportunity in rapid freezer.

Applications and benefits of rapid freezer

What will happen if you use rapid freezer? There are four main uses and benefits of rapid freezer.

• Expansion of sales channels
• Improving production efficiency
• Waste loss reduction
• planned production

“Expanding sales channels”

The number of mail order users has increased rapidly in recent years, and delicious food from all over Japan can now be purchased online.
When trying to sell in-store menus online, rapid freezer is essential.

Even for foods that would have lost their flavor when stored in a regular commercial freezer, rapid freezer can reproduce the flavor of the food in the store, allowing you to serve it to more customers.

In addition to mail order, the number of people using delivery services is increasing recently, so it can also be used for frozen products for takeout or delivery. By using rapid freezer, you can try out a variety of new selling methods.

"Improving production efficiency"

The process of finishing a single menu, from preparation to presentation, is complex.
Preparing from scratch every day takes time and costs.

If you use rapid freezer to make batches in your spare time and then freeze stock for when orders come in, you can significantly reduce cooking time. This increases production efficiency, reduces labor costs, and eliminates labor shortages.

“Reducing waste loss”

Recently, due to the influence of SDGs, the issue of food waste has become a serious issue. Whether it's to cut costs or be more environmentally friendly, you'll want to reduce waste loss.

If you have rapid freezer, you can freeze leftover ingredients to a high quality, and you can use up all the ingredients that were previously thrown away.

In a typical commercial freezer, even if you can make frozen stock, the taste will be poor. rapid freezer are essential to reducing waste while maintaining quality.

"Planned production"

Seasonal products such as osechi dishes are only available for sale for a limited time, so trying to make them all at the last minute will be time-consuming and limit production.

By using rapid freezer, you can systematically manufacture and freeze food several months in advance. You can reduce the burden and increase production.

Foods whose prices fluctuate greatly depending on the season can be frozen and sold at a time when they are most expensive.

What is the average price of rapid freezer? Are there any second hand ones?

rapid freezer can be used for a wide range of purposes and have many benefits, but the market price for one unit starts from about 3 million yen. It is more than 10 times the price of a typical commercial freezer (200,000 to 300,000 yen, depending on manufacturer and capacity), and is not an easy price to purchase.

Some people might consider buying a used machine if they can get it at a low price, but there are very few used rapid freezer sale, and in the unlikely event that it is a used machine that has not been properly maintained. , there is a big risk, such as extra repair costs.

Additionally, there are multiple types rapid freezer, and each model has a different compatibility with food. Therefore, if you purchase an inappropriate model, there is a risk that rapid freezer you purchased at a high price may not function properly.

If you are purchasing a second-hand item,

• Is the machine maintained?
• Is there a warranty/support system in place?
• Can I receive guidance and advice on how to use it from the manufacturer?

Be sure to check.

Because of the high price, it is important to judge carefully. In order to avoid failure, understand the characteristics of each model and manufacturer of rapid freezer, and what they should be used for. How can I get my money back? It is important to make a plan such as this and not make decisions based on price alone.

Especially when purchasing a used refrigerator, carefully check its maintenance status.

There are three main types of machines

There are three types of rapid freezer: air freezing, liquid nitrogen freezing, and special types.

air freezing

Air freezing, also known as an air blast refrigerator, is a technology that rapid freezing freezes food by applying cold air at -30℃ to -40℃.
Drying caused by applying cold air from outside was a problem, but recently rapid freezer have been developed to prevent drying.

Our company also recommends rapid freezer" Artlock Freezer", which can freeze food at high quality while minimizing damage to the food such as drying, cracking, and oxidation.

The electronically controlled refrigeration system automatically adjusts to the optimal setting according to changes in outside air temperature, humidity, and the temperature of the objects being fed, so the quality of all foodstuffs remains stable no matter when or when they are frozen.

liquid nitrogen freezing

Liquid nitrogen freezing is a freezing technology that takes advantage of the property of liquid nitrogen, which vaporizes at extremely low temperatures.
-196℃ liquid nitrogen gas is sprayed directly onto the food to instantly freeze it. Although it is effective in processing plants that freeze large quantities, it is recommended to test it beforehand, as some foods may crack easily as the temperature is lost instantly.

special type

Models that do not fit into the two types of air and liquid nitrogen are grouped together here under the name "special type."
Special type rapid freezer freeze food by applying electromagnetic waves and vibrations to prevent ice crystals from growing inside the food.
The principle of preventing destruction of cell membranes and maintaining quality even after freezing is the same as air freezing and liquid freezing.

How many years can rapid freezer be used? Can I get my money back?

So, how many years can rapid freezer last?

Judging from past cases, rapid freezer have been in use for approximately 10 years. Many machines are used for more than 10 years.

In order to use it safely for a long time,

• Understand the correct usage and follow it
• Don't neglect maintenance

Two things are important.

Unlike general commercial and home freezers, rapid freezer freezers are not "just put them in and forget about them".
To maximize functionality, expertise is required in freezing (freezing method and time), storage, and thawing, and if not used correctly, it can cause malfunction or deterioration.

Ideally, at the time of purchase, you will receive a lecture on how to use the product and know-how on how to use it effectively. Also, be sure to perform regular maintenance recommended by the manufacturer for each type of rapid freezer.

So, if you assume that the machine can be used for 10 years, how much cost-effectiveness do you need to make the machine pay for itself?

Let's assume that you purchased rapid freezer for 3.5 million yen, which is the market price.

If you use rapid freezer costing 3.5 million yen for 10 years, what is the cost-effectiveness required per day?

[3.5 million yen ÷ 10 years ÷ 12 months ÷ 20 days (if you work 20 days a month) = 1,459 yen]

1,500 yen per day.

Even if you only use it for 5 years,

[3.5 million yen ÷ 5 years ÷ 10 years ÷ 20 days = 2,917 yen]

It's 3,000 yen per day.

To give an example of the merits of introducing rapid freezer,

・Market development

▶︎Developed and sold frozen products for mail order and delivery, and sold 3 products per day with a gross profit of 1,000 yen

・Improvement of production efficiency

▶︎Improved production efficiency and was able to save 3 hours from a part-time job with an hourly wage of 1,000 yen.

・Reduction of waste loss

▶︎3,000 yen worth of waste was effectively utilized

If you can accomplish just one of these things, your rapid freezer will pay for itself in no time.
As you can see, rapid freezer is expensive, but the benefits you get from it are great, and it's not difficult to get your money back. If you choose rapid freezer that is compatible with your products and use it properly to make full use of the machine's performance, you will not only be able to recoup your expenses, but will also greatly contribute to the prosperity of your business.

What are the points to consider when selecting a model? Three things you must do before purchasing

So, what should you keep in mind when considering rapid freezer from multiple manufacturers?

There are four things you must do before making a purchase:

• Organizing uses
• On-site hearing
• Freeze test
• Judging from a long-term perspective

rapid freezer you choose will depend on what kind of food you want to rapid freezing and what you are aiming for, so first, sort out the purpose.

For example, if you want to rapid freezing cooked food and sell it online, then dig deeper and get a better idea of the menu contents and prices.

The next thing I would like to do is interview people who will actually use the machine. This should improve work efficiency, but if rapid freezer is not easy to use, it can become a hassle. Be conscious of listening to the voices of the people in the field and making choices from the perspective of the people in the field, so that each element, such as the freezing process, size, and freezing time, matches.

And especially essential is the freeze test.
I told you that rapid freezer and food are compatible, but you can't judge whether they are compatible unless you try them. We recommend that you perform a freezing test, as even the same ingredients may have different compatibility depending on the region of origin, and the balance and preference with other dishes at the restaurant may vary.
Most rapid freezer manufacturers offer freeze testing, so you can test your food on request.

After making these three preparations, the key points to keep in mind are ``a long-term perspective and an awareness of cost effectiveness.''​
As I mentioned earlier, rapid freezer can generally be used for 10 years, and once they get going, they will pay for themselves well.

The end result may be better than buying a second-hand product with a lower price and shorter lifespan. Don't make a decision based on price alone; instead, choose with cost-effectiveness in mind and with the assumption that you will be using it for a long time.

If you want to buy cheaply, we recommend taking advantage of the subsidy system.

Japan has a subsidy system in place to support small and medium-sized enterprises in capital investment, and if you take advantage of this, you can receive up to 10 million yen in subsidies.

This is a system that you should definitely take advantage of when purchasing an expensive rapid freezer. However, the application requires the submission of a business plan, and subsidy measures are required, such as showing promise for the future of the refrigeration business.

We also provide information on subsidy systems and provide subsidy support services with an acceptance rate of over 80%. If you want to purchase rapid freezer at a lower price, we recommend taking advantage of the subsidy system rather than buying a used or rental item. If you are interested, please check the details.

Conclusion

How was it?

There are three types of rapid freezer: air, liquid nitrogen, and special types, and we mentioned that each manufacturer and model has different compatibility with food.
Freezing tests are essential to confirm the compatibility between the machine and the food.

Freezing tests can be conducted by each manufacturer of rapid freezer, but our company takes advantage of our neutral position as Japan's only trading company specializing in rapid freezer to provide comparative tests of multiple models. Compare the freezing process and quality (taste after thawing) and choose the one you are satisfied with.

Also, although rapid freezer may seem expensive at first glance, it is highly cost-effective, and if it performs well, there is a good chance that it will pay for itself.
To that end, it is reassuring to have a partner who can provide you with the refrigeration know-how to make full use of rapid freezer, and who can act as a point of contact when something goes wrong.

Our company has conducted freezing tests on more than 250 items and has accumulated freezing data on all kinds of ingredients.
Based on this know-how, we provide installation support to help our customers take full advantage of the functions of rapid freezer.

We provide total support, from how to select rapid freezer to how to use it correctly, as well as planning proposals and aftercare for frozen products, so if you are considering installing rapid freezer, please feel free to contact us. .