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Flake Ice and Industrial Flake Ice Machines
Wednesday 30 November 2022
The different types of ice available are suitable for different applications, sectors and industries – and so it follows that you must get absolutely the right ice machine for your business. Industrial ice makers can assist a business greatly, and in this edition of our blog we’ll drill down into that a little more and look at flake ice and industrial flake ice machines.
What is flake ice and how can it be used?
This soft, mouldable form of ice is fairly similar to crushed ice but has a more snow-like texture and an attractive look about it, so it’s highly suitable for using in food displays to keep the food cold and fresh – but flake ice is also extremely useful in food production, most specifically for use in the meat and fish industries, and by bakeries.
1. Flake Ice in Bakeries
The cooling property of flake ice is much more than that of chilled water. During the process of making bread, using flake ice allows the temperature of the dough mixture to be controlled and can retard yeast growth. The structure of flake ice means it melts quickly and evenly, and releases cooling energy into mixtures with no residue. Using other types of ice for the cooling during baking causes issues as parts of it don’t melt, which leads to air pockets within the bread (or other baked products). Flake ice is perfect for use as a control measure in the baking industry.
2. Flake Ice in the Meat industry
Flake ice is also perfect for various uses in the meat industry. As an ingredient in sausage production, adding flake ice instead of water is a much quicker and more efficient way to cool the emulsion. It won’t clump and blends easily. It is also the right choice for situations such as the shipping and presentation of meat products. When packaging meat before shipping, flake ice will mould itself to the shape, keeping the temperature down due to the increased surface area it offers. It can also be used in the presentation of meat products, in butcheries and in the fresh meat sections of department stores, as it not only keeps the meat cool but also looks great.
3. Flake Ice in the Fish industry
Industrial ice makers can also be used in the fish industry, most commonly for cooling the fish and keeping it fresh in the period on the boat right through to the processing, cleaning and shipping, and then in the stocking and presentation in store or on the market. Fishermen can apply the flake ice they produce while out on their boats without risking a rise in the temperature of their catch while they are waiting to return to shore. Flake ice is also perfect for dock warehouses and fish processing plants for similar reasons to those described above in the meat section. It keeps the fish cool during processing, transportation and when it’s on sale in a shop.
For ice on a less industrial scale than we’ve mentioned in this edition of our blog, check out sister site Ice4. There you’ll find an array of ice machines which can meet all of your commercial needs. Here in the industrial world, our flake ice machines are built to service various sectors, and we have many industrial ice machines for sale or for rental, which can complement your processes or keep your products cool and well presented. For more information simply get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
