Fourth Starfrost Spiral Freezer for Cheviot Foods
04 July 2007 11:53
One of the UK's leading manufacturers of frozen vegetable products has invested in another spiral freezer from equipment specialist Starfrost.
Cheviot Foods, part of the Prize Food Group, has installed its fourth custom built freezing system from preferred supplier Starfrost. The Helix Spiral freezer is the largest Starfrost system to date to be installed at the company's production facility in Amble, Northumberland.
Cheviot Foods manufactures an innovative range of added value vegetable products for major retailers and food service markets. The company's portfolio of frozen vegetable products ranges from roast and mashed potatoes, to parsnips and onion rings. In addition to supplying supermarket own-label products and foodservice, Cheviot Foods has licensing agreements for leading brands including Aunt Bessie's.
Cheviot Foods was recently looking to boost production by replacing an existing range of in-line freezing equipment with a single, increased capacity system. Starfrost's solution was a flexible Helix Spiral system, offering 24/7 freezing for a variety of value added vegetable products.
The bespoke Helix Spiral features a 36-inch belt and just over 28 spiraling tiers around a single rotating drum. The freezer is designed for non-stop 24-hour operation for up to seven days to minimise downtime. It also features an automated sequential defrost system.
Originally built as a 22-tier spiral, the system was designed to be upgraded by 30% if additional capacity was required by Cheviot Foods. 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 3,000 kg/hr of cooked potato products to minus 18°C.
The interior of Cheviot Foods' Helix Spiral is constructed in durable stainless steel for ease of hygiene. A computerised touch screen Human Machine Interface (HMI) allows the user to monitor operational conditions to maximise performance.
Established for over 20 years, Starfrost specialises in the design and manufacture of industrial freezers and chillers, including robust spiral systems. Starfrost's Helix Spirals have a low tension, flat belt design for ultimate durability and require minimal maintenance.
Helix Spirals are available with a range of belt sizes and tier heights. The system is capable of processing from 500kg/hr, up to 6,000kg/hr, depending on product type and temperatures required.
Starfrost's Helix Spiral is suitable for freezing and chilling food that requires medium to long retention times, such as pizzas, ready meals, poultry, pastry products, desserts and ice-cream. A 'guided flow' air circulation system ensures even freezing without excessive air speeds.
Starfrost is globally renowned for the reliability of its equipment range and commitment to pioneering freezing technology. Starfrost’s new Three Zone Spiral system recently won the Technological Development of the Year category at a major UK food industry awards.
The three zone spiral's revolutionary design allows the mechanical, frost tolerant system to operate for extended running times – up to seven days between defrosts. This feature enables food manufacturers to minimise downtime, boost production and reduce running costs compared to any other freezing system.
Starfrost's freezing and chilling equipment range includes the Spiral Helix, Starlite HT (Hybrid Tunnel), Turbo IQF and StarContact system. The company specialises in low to medium capacity in-line freezers and chillers, as well as larger site-built systems for major manufacturers.
As well as designing automated systems to boost manufacturing efficiency, many Starfrost installations are now driven by the customer's need to reduce escalating nitrogen freezing costs.
For more information on this company:
Starfrost - Industrial Freezing and Chilling, Spiral Freezers, IQF Tunnel Freezers, Contact Freezers and CIP Sanitising Systems
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