Types of IQF Machine

IQF machine is a kind of equipment widely used in the food processing industry. Its function is to quickly freeze food to a low temperature state, thereby effectively maintaining the nutritional content, taste and appearance of the food. With the continuous development of the food industry, the types of IQF machine are becoming increasingly diverse. This article will introduce several common types of IQF machine.

1. Fluidized IQF machine

This machine uses forced air cooling to make small granular materials suspended or semi-suspended under the action of cold air, achieving the effect of “individual quick freezing” (IQF). It has the advantages of fast freezing speed, uniform freezing, and low adhesion.

Applicable scenarios and materials:

• Mainly suitable for quick freezing of granular, flake and small block foods, such as:
• Vegetables such as peas, corn kernels, green beans;
• Dice and fruit pieces;
• Small shrimps and fish pieces;

Due to its good separation, it is very suitable for food processing companies that need to freeze individually and not clump after packaging.

2. Tunnel type IQF machine

The tunnel IQF machine is a long strip structure. The material is continuously transported through the conveyor belt. The fan blows out low-temperature air from the top or both sides to complete the rapid freezing process. It has a simple structure and large processing capacity, and is suitable for continuous and large-scale production.

Applicable scenarios and materials:

• Applicable to large pieces of materials or tray-packed foods with dry surfaces and low adhesion, such as:
• Packaged quick-frozen foods (such as quick-frozen dumplings);
• Meats such as chicken wings and chicken legs;
• Baked semi-finished products such as cake bases and pizza bases.

This machine is commonly used in large-scale production scenarios such as meat processing, prepared foods, and pre-prepared dishes, and is suitable for assembly line operations.

3. Spiral quick freezer

This machine uses a spiral conveyor belt to spiral in the vertical space. The material rises or falls layer by layer along the conveyor belt, and is blown by cold wind to achieve rapid freezing. It occupies a small area, has high volume utilization, and has an adjustable freezing time, making it suitable for medium to large-scale production.

Applicable scenarios and materials:

• Applicable to products with irregular shapes, easy to deform or need to be frozen for a long time, such as:
• Baked foods (cakes, desserts, pizza);
• Meat products, seafood and other products that require a long freezing time.

This machine is very suitable for food processing companies that need to save space and operate flexibly, especially for products with high requirements for freezing quality.