[Includes recommendations by industry] Summary of types and benefits of small rapid freezer

There are various models and lineups of commercial rapid freezer and rapid freezing, but among them, small rapid freezer for small and medium-sized businesses, small businesses, sole proprietors, and individual stores are gaining popularity. Masu.

In the past, large rapid freezer were being introduced at the factories of major food manufacturers and some fishermen's cooperatives, but in recent years, they have been introduced from upstream to downstream. Fisheries and livestock industries for small-scale businesses or Private food and beverage stores Many small-sized rapid freezer have been introduced in Japan.

On this page, we will explain in detail the types and benefits of such small rapid freezer, and also explain recommended small machines for each industry.

About machine size

Regarding the latest commercial rapid freezer, there is a wide range of models and lineups, from small freezers to large freezers. The specs of rapid freezer are defined by the estimated amount of freezing per hour, which determines the horsepower of the freezer and the size of the freezer itself.
Therefore, the size of rapid freezer is often talked about in terms of the amount of frozen food.

In general, the differences between models called small-sized rapid freezer and models called medium-sized and large-sized rapid freezer are as follows.

Small commercial rapid freezer
・Estimated freezing amount per hour: 2kg/hour ~ 30kg/hour
Mainly, it is a type called a batch type where trays etc. are inserted as is, and the horsepower of the refrigerator is 2 to 5 horsepower.
In many cases, compact rapid freezer have the freezer body and refrigerator part integrated, eliminating the need for piping work for the refrigerator.

Medium-sized commercial rapid freezer
・Estimated freezing amount per hour: 30kg/hour ~ 100kg/hour
This is also a batch type, but it can hold more trays at one time than the smaller type, so you can put the trays on a rack or the like and put them directly into the freezer.
The horsepower of the refrigerator is generally 5 to 20 horsepower, and the freezer and refrigerator are installed separately, so piping work for the refrigerator is required.

Large commercial rapid freezer
・Estimated freezing amount per hour: 100kg/hour ~
Unlike batch-type rapid freezer are called ``continuous-type'', and instead of the type in which trays are taken in and out of the freezer, they are frozen while the food is flowing through a belt conveyor. The system is such that unfrozen food is put in through the entrance of the freezer, the process continues for several minutes to an hour, and frozen food comes out through the exit.
The two main types are the straight type, in which the belt conveyor is long and straight, and the spiral type, in which the conveyor belt flows upward in a spiral.

Types of small rapid freezer

So, what types of small commercial rapid freezer and freezers are there? Let's take a closer look at the two types of rapid freezer liquid freezing type freezers and air freezing type freezers.

Liquid freezing type rapid freezer

Liquid freezing type rapid freezer operate on the principle that they are submerged in liquid (alcohol) at a temperature of -35°C and freeze rapidly due to the liquid's high thermal conductivity. Since this type is not patentable in principle, many machine manufacturers have produced similar products.
When it comes to the types of small machines, there are three types based on the approximate amount of freezing per hour.

Models that freeze 2kg per hour:
This is the smallest mini type of rapid freezer. Although it operates from a household outlet (100V), it can only freeze about 2 kg per hour, so its specifications are insufficient for commercial use. The interior of the liquid bath is also very small, so it is often used for prototyping and test marketing, so it can be said to be a demonstration model. Very few people choose.

Models that freeze 10kg per hour:
The refrigerator has a horsepower of 3, but the freezer and refrigerator are integrated, so there is no plumbing required. Because the liquid (alcohol) bathtub is wider, the tray on which the food is placed is equipped with a lifting function, allowing it to be raised and lowered with the touch of a button. The main body of the machine has casters, so you won't have any trouble moving it.

Models that freeze 30kg per hour:
Since this type of refrigerator is an outdoor type, piping work is required. The specifications of the refrigerator are 6 horsepower. This is the model to choose for those who are not satisfied with 10kg per hour.

Air freezing type rapid freezing

Air freezing type rapid freezing have almost the same temperature as liquid freezers, and are often referred to as ultra-low temperature freezers called shock freezers/blast chillers.
However, there are also rapid freezing that use special principles such as ``Preventing drying by applying moist cold air'' and ``Eliminate uneven freezing by applying three-dimensional cold air'', achieving higher quality freezing. doing.
There are generally two types of compact rapid freezing: one that freezes 10 kg per hour and one that freezes 30 kg per hour.

Models that freeze 10kg per hour:
The specifications of the refrigerator are also 3 horsepower, so there is no need for any plumbing work. It is slimmer in size than liquid freezing type rapid freezer, and the weight of the freezer itself is lighter, making it easier to move. It is the smallest model that can be used in business, and can be used for prototyping and test marketing, and can be used for a wide range of purposes.

Models that freeze 30kg per hour:
The specifications of the refrigerator are 5 horsepower, and plumbing work for the outdoor unit is required. However, the size of the freezer itself is about the same as a freezer that freezes 10kg per hour, so it does not take up much space, making it a very popular model.

Advantages of small rapid freezer

Next, we will explain in detail the benefits of small commercial rapid freezer and freezers.
At the beginning, I mentioned that the recent popularity of rapid freezer has spread to downstream areas of food distribution.Nowadays, commercial rapid freezer are not only owned by major food manufacturers and large fishermen's cooperatives. A level that even individual business owners can afford It has become.
Compact rapid freezer have many advantages, which is why they are being widely adopted by small and medium-sized businesses, small-scale businesses, and individual shops.

Can prevent waste loss

rapid freezer completely prevent drips after thawing food and achieve high-quality freezing, allowing you to store high-quality food that would otherwise have been thrown away. Even small rapid freezer have the same functionality and performance as larger machines, so you can turn what used to be a negative into a positive.

You can store freshly prepared food

Do you think that rapid freezer can only produce high quality food products?
What is actually surprisingly unknown is that prepared foods and processed foods can also benefit from rapid freezing. You can rapid freezing freshly cooked hot food without cooling it down, preserving the deliciousness of the freshly prepared food.

Suitable for high-mix, low-volume production

Although it is not suitable when you want to quickly freeze large quantities of the same food ingredients, it is also very suitable for restaurants, caterers, bento shops, etc. that want to rapid freezing a wide variety of foods. This is because small rapid freezer have shelves into which trays are inserted, which are divided into several levels, allowing you to change the food for each tray, or change the food for each batch.

Expand sales channels with low risk

Capturing the deliciousness of freshly prepared food means that it can be delivered not only to the production area or store, but also to remote locations. It can be used for takeout and mail-order businesses, and the small machine is inexpensive and easy to install, so you can take on the challenge of starting a new business with low risk.

Easy to use machine

The larger the rapid freezer the more functions and operating procedures it has, and the more complex it becomes. On the other hand, small rapid freezer are designed to be simple and easy to use in terms of function, performance, and operation. Even first-time staff can easily learn how to use it. Furthermore, the small rapid freezer has casters, so you can easily move it yourself without having to ask a contractor.

Can be installed in a small space

Small rapid freezer are about the same size as regular commercial freezers and refrigerators, so they don't take up much space. It fits in the space of your current commercial freezer or refrigerator. We have a track record of delivering many products to restaurants in Tokyo with limited space, so it can be installed in almost any private store.

Running costs are low

The main running cost of rapid freezer is electricity, but isn't the running cost high? Contrary to this question, the electricity cost is almost the same as a regular commercial freezer or an ultra-low temperature freezer stocker. It costs a few yen to 10 yen for 1kg of frozen food. In the case of a liquid freezer, the alcohol content gradually decreases, so you will need to replenish it, but it will only cost you a few yen more per 1kg frozen.

There are many advantages to using a compact rapid freezer like this.

Recommended small refrigerators by industry

Recommendations for small flash freezers
Small rapid freezer and freezers have many benefits, but we will introduce recommended types for each industry.

Fisheries processing industry

In the seafood processing industry, where seafood is processed into various shapes such as rounds, semi-dressed, and fillets, the fish that are frozen are often thick, and there is a tendency to require fast freezing speeds, so a small rapid freezer with a fast liquid freezing type is required. It has been widely used since ancient times. However, in recent years, small air freezing type machines have been introduced as people want to avoid the hassle of vacuum packaging and are concerned about the quality of the meat.

Livestock processing industry

If you want to freeze a large amount of thick meat such as a block of meat in a short time, we recommend a small liquid freezing type rapid freezer. However, liquid freezing types require vacuum packaging when freezing, so if you want to freeze meat naked, it is best to choose an air freezing type rapid freezer.

Food manufacturing industry/food manufacturer

The recommended freezer will vary depending on the condition of the processed and manufactured food. If you want to freeze food that is already sealed, a fast liquid freezer is the way to go. If you want to freeze manufactured food as is, we recommend an air freezing type rapid freezer which is easier to use.

Caterer/bento shop

There are many cases where you want to freeze freshly prepared hot food as is, and we recommend an air-freezing type rapid freezer because it allows you to freeze the food as it is in the cooking utensils or in the container. In particular, air freezing type rapid freezer are easy to work with and operate, so freezing operations can be incorporated into existing manufacturing and work processes without changing them.

restaurant

We also recommend an air freezing type freezer, as menu items served at stores are often frozen. Recently, many restaurants have started mail-order business with non-face-to-face operations, and this rapid freezer is extremely compatible with this. On the other hand, liquid freezers use alcohol, which makes them difficult to use in the kitchen.

Please note that the above is just a general idea and is not 100% better.
Results will vary depending on the condition, shape, ingredients, work process, etc. of the frozen product, so we always recommend a comparative freezing test. We also conduct such tests from time to time.

Conclusion

We introduced the types and benefits of small commercial rapid freezer, as well as recommended models for each industry.

In recent years, thanks to the efforts of manufacturers, rapid freezer have become smaller and more compact, making them easier to install even at the personal business level. In the past, it was difficult to afford due to its large size and high price, but now it can be rapid freezing and can be used to expand your business.

Our company has a track record of introducing the No. 1 compact rapid freezer in Japan, so we have many case studies. If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact us.