Category: Partnership

What is blast chilling? 

In the catering and food service industry, it is required by law and regulations that the kitchen is equipped with cooling machines that can rapidly decrease the temperature of hot food to maintain the quality and safety of food. Thanks to this process, food can be safely stored to be consumed at a later stage. The fast-cooling process is known as blast chilling. But what exactly is blast chilling and what does it entail? Find out more in this article. 

And what is a blast chiller? 

A blast chiller is a robust cooling machine that blows chilled air on to food, rapidly decreasing its temperature to the core. This process is much faster than traditional cooling methods, and it helps avoid the spread of bacteria that can occur during slower cooling processes. Blast chillers are found in commercial kitchens and are not a replacement for standard refrigerators. They are used to accelerate the cooling process of cooked dishes and maintain high food quality and health standards. 

Food waste is a growing global problem, with a significant environmental and economic impact. It’s important to recognize the role that the food service industry plays in this issue. While delicious food is a cornerstone of our industry, so is minimizing waste. Thankfully, innovative solutions like blast chilling offer a powerful tool to combat food waste and ensure a more sustainable future for food service.  

Why are blast chillers and blast freezers essential in any commercial kitchen? 

A blast chiller is essential in any commercial kitchen as it reduces the temperature of cooked or heated food from 70 °C to 3 °C (158 °F to 37.4 °F)  within 90 minutes, which follows health and safety guidelines for the food and catering industry. In fact, bacteria tend to multiply faster in temperatures between +8 °C and +68 °C (46.4 °F to 154.4 °F). 

Electrolux Professional’s Blast Chillers are a top-of-the-line solution for rapidly chilling and preserving food in commercial kitchens. These specialized appliances use advanced technology to quickly bring the temperature of cooked food down to safe levels, which can help prevent bacterial growth and ensure the quality and freshness of food. Electrolux Professional has been respectful of the HACCP process since 1998 and has received the HACCP International Certification, which confirms their commitment to ensuring the highest hygiene standards along the entire food chain. 

Blast freezing is another safe way to keep cooked food protected from bacteria growth while preserving its taste and nutritional value. Blast freezers are kept at an air temperature as low as -41 °C, compared to standard freezers that are kept at around -18 °C (-0.4 °F ). Blast freezing accelerates the process and takes only 4 hours to freeze food, compared to the 6-12 hours it takes for a normal freezer. The freezing temperature and quick cooling time help to maintain the high quality of the food, including its nutritional value and appearance. Chefs can prepare menu items and freeze them for long-term storage without compromising their initial quality, which reduces food waste and increases efficiency. 

The perfect blast chiller to suit your business needs 

Blast chillers are essential appliances in modern commercial kitchens, required by local health and safety regulations to reduce time and food waste. When choosing a blast chiller, it is important to select one that meets the needs of the business and staff. Electrolux Professional offers cutting-edge technology products that are safe to use and ergonomic certified. 

From small countertop units to larger models designed for high-volume operations, the company’s blast chillers and freezers are built to last, with durable stainless-steel construction and user-friendly controls that make them easy to operate and maintain. Whether you are running a restaurant, bakery, or catering service, Electrolux Professional blast chiller – freezers can help you improve food safety and efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of quality and achieving your business’ own sustainability goals. 

Conclusion 

By rapidly cooling cooked food, blast chillers significantly reduce the timeframe for bacterial growth, extending shelf life and minimizing the risk of spoilage. This translates to less food waste, which benefits both your bottom line and the environment.  

Electrolux Professional Group is committed to developing innovative solutions that empower businesses to operate more sustainably. Together, we can make a positive impact on the future of food service.  

Restaurants come in different shapes and sizes, and their needs can vary greatly depending on the type of food they offer. However, there is one cooking solution that can meet all these different needs: the combi oven. The best kitchens are highly efficient, saving space, time, labor, and energy by using the most efficient tools to their fullest potential. Regardless of the type of kitchen, a combi oven is one of the best pieces of equipment a kitchen can acquire. It ensures that the kitchen achieves the desired level of efficiency while reducing costs. In this article, we will examine the many benefits of a combi oven, including its ability to save space and time, as well as its versatility and range of functions. 

The combi oven: a life saver 

The combi oven offers several benefits that make it an essential piece of equipment in any commercial kitchen. 

1.     Space saver 

First, the combi oven is a space saver, as it can perform various cooking modes and tasks with one single piece of equipment, thus saving valuable kitchen space. 

2.     Time saver 

Secondly, the combi oven is a time saver, as it can heat and cook food much quicker than a traditional oven, allowing restaurant staff to maintain a fast-paced environment and save valuable time. 

3.     Labor saver 

Additionally, a good combi oven can cover multiple cooking functions, freeing up a chef’s time to work on other tasks. This way, the combi oven proves to be a labor saver, equipped with a multi-timer function that allows operators to manage multiple cooking cycles simultaneously, freeing them up to attend to other kitchen tasks. 

The combi oven is an efficient and versatile piece of equipment that can save time, labor, and space, and is therefore essential in any commercial kitchen. 

Are combi ovens energy efficient? 

When it comes to energy efficiency, Electrolux Professional’s Combi Oven, SkyLine PremiumS, is designed to minimize heat loss and reduce energy consumption.

The new OptiFlow function included in the line guarantees uniform heat distribution and constant humidity and temperature within the cooking chamber. The Lambda sensor provides ultra-precise, real-time humidity control across 101 different settings, ensuring excellent cooking evenness throughout the whole oven chamber and preserving the food’s quality and flavor. 

In addition, the SkyLine Combi Oven features the new Plan-n-Save feature, which applies artificial intelligence to optimize the cooking order and minimize energy usage. This feature helps save energy by reducing the time required to preheat the oven and by optimizing cooking times for multiple dishes. The combi oven’s energy-saving capabilities make it an eco-friendly option that can help reduce energy consumption in commercial kitchens. 

The price you pay 

The cost of equipment is a crucial factor in deciding whether to acquire a combi oven for a professional kitchen. However, the initial investment does not necessarily reflect the full cycle cost of the oven. A high-quality combi oven, such as the SkyLine PremiumS, can really help reduce energy and cleaning costs. With state-of-the-art technology, such as the OptiFlow function, the oven minimizes heat loss and ensures even cooking, reducing the amount of energy needed. Additionally, the flexible cleaning technology of the SkyLine PremiumS reduces cleaning time and costs. In the long run, investing in a great combi oven can be a cost-effective solution for kitchens looking to minimize their expenditure.