Keeping perishable food in optimal condition can pose challenges—whether it’s meat, baked goods, seafood, or even pharmaceuticals, maintaining their optimum temperatures can be a problem. The two primary methods for maintaining product freshness are standard freezers and blast freezers, but which type of freezer is most effective for your product type?
Both serve their freezing processes well, but, of course, they differ in the specific methods and means they employ for freezing. They can be distinguished from each other by their unique applications, performance, and benefits. Whether you choose a standard freezer or a blast freezer will be dictated by your company’s and product’s unique needs. At the forefront of non-negotiables is your selected freezer’s ability to keep your products in their original condition, ready for sale.
The rundown on Blast Freezers: How can they benefit your business?
The function that sets Blast Freezers apart is their ability to rapidly reduce the temperature of products in an extremely short period, with some freezers carrying out this process in just 80 minutes, subject to the volume and type of product, of course.
Blast freezers utilise extremely robust fans that have a high capacity for lowering the temperature to extremely cold levels, as low as -40°C (-40°F) or lower. If your industry has to deliver its items and products on a large scale, then look no further than a blast freezer. These types of freezers work in tandem with food processing, catering and logistics industries.
Ice crystals are less prevalent when blast freezers are operating at full capacity, which in turn helps maintain the freshness of the goods and keeps them ready for sale and consumption. It’s also worth mentioning that you can effortlessly transport blast freezers in containers, making them a fantastic solution for when you need to sell your products on the go, or simply transit your goods around the country. Blast Freezers can be harnessed well, when you ar delivering a product operation to scale.
What distinguishes Blast Freezers from Standard Freezers?
Rate of Temperature control
If you use a blast freezer, expect the temperature to drop from +70°C to -18°C in just a few hours. In stark contrast, to hit the correct temperature for a standard freezer, expect the products to take up to 24 hours to reach your desired temperature. This, of course, depends on the size of the product. A blast freezer keeps food very fresh and very close to it’s original state when thawed.
Quality ranges
Standard freezers often have slow freezing processes, which can cause large ice crystals to form, potentially impacting the integrity and freshness of food. Your products may be at risk of having slightly soggy textures when thawed. On the other hand, blast freezers quickly form microcrystals, which can maintain the food’s texture in top form while also preserving its flavour.
Portability differs
The intent with choosing blast freezers is their mobility. These types of freezers are usually present within modified shipping containers. In turn, this means that if you are in a warehouse or shipping area, you can transport your products and food more efficiently. On the other hand, standard, more traditional freezers are more fixed in their ability to move around, often governed to one specific place.
What type of freezer is the best value?
If you have a standard freezer, you can expect to save money by using it regularly. These freezers are more energy efficient, while blast freezers use more power due to their intense freezing cycles. Blast freezers also have a significantly higher upfront investment than standard freezers. Note that it may be worth considering a Blast Freezer, as these larger, more robust freezers can maintain speed, volume, and the integrity of food and goods, making them a suitable choice for comprehensive operations.
What suits your desired situation?
Standard freezers can be a great addition to a small restaurant, commercial kitchen, and, of course, the home. While standard freezers suit these types of establishments, Blast Freezers can be ideal for more industry-specific options that often require food to be delivered in large quantities. These may include, but are not limited to, food manufacturers, seafood exporters, meal prep businesses, and the pharmaceutical industry. If you want to freeze your food or products quickly and efficiently, then ensure you acquire a blast freezer. Have a smaller operation to carry out—with a restaurant capacity of around 45 people? Standard freezers will suit you well.
Standard Freezers: Why They May Suit Your Business?
- Your business is a small-scale business and will not be growing anytime soon.
- The consideration of fast freezing time is not on your radar. You don’t need your products to be swiftly frozen; standard is suitable.
- Consistency of product and texture/quality is not a big issue. Imperfections are accepted.
- You want to save some money with a lower energy solution.
Blast Freezers: Why they may suit your business?
- Peak quality is a major concern.
- If you operate logistics businesses or own a commercial kitchen
- If temperature is of the utmost concern for maintaining product temperature: ready to eat meals, seafood or vaccines
- Transiting and travelling are important. Remaining portable to scale is key for your business; therefore, your blast freezer needs to have the ability to travel.
DawsonGroup has got you sorted.
If you’re interested in purchasing either a standard freezer or blast freezer, DawsonGroup can help you critically consider the differences, with a focus on how each freezer type can cater to your business’s needs.
DawsonGroup is here to help by providing expert knowledge and sound understanding on all things blast freezers. With over 20 years of experience in the refrigeration and container industry, we take pride in our logistics, efficiency, and ability to deliver results. At the top of our mind is delivering high-quality products, which we consistently provide to multiple industries worldwide. Interested in finding out more about Dawson Group? Let’s talk.
