Electric heaters play a key role in the food industry, as an essential element of many technological processes and the machines themselves that carry out these processes. They are used at various stages of production: from heating and melting components, through sterilization, to drying. It is largely on their effectiveness that production and even business successes depend.
In this article, we will focus on heaters used in the food industry, especially those for working with liquids. We will list what their types are and in which specific processes they will find their application. It is worth remembering that the right choice of heater already at the design stage of the machine is crucial for the smoothness of production and the prevention of breakdowns. In the article we will present how heaters affect the quality of final food products and the efficiency of production processes.
Types of Electric Heaters in the Food Industry
Although there are many types of heaters, both unusual and standard, in the food industry, where working with liquids, the following types are most often used:
- Tubular heaters — Tubular heaters are the most commonly used type in both domestic and industrial appliances. Their popularity is due to the simplicity of construction and efficiency. They consist of a metal pipe with a heating element inside and current leads at the ends. In case of contact with water, it is crucial that the electrical part remains dry, which is achieved by bending the heater in a “U” shape and mounting it so that the leads are on one side. Thanks to mass production, they are inexpensive and ideal for heating large volumes of water. They are widely used: to heat liquids such as water, oils, honey or chocolate. Their design allows for efficient heat transfer in a variety of applications, from large brewing boilers to systems for e.g. decrystallization of honey.
- Cartridge heaters — Cartridge heaters are distinguished by their compact size, which allows them to be used in small tanks, for example, with oil. Thanks to them, it is possible to precisely heat small volumes of liquid, which is important in production based on small-scale operations. A good example of the use of a cartridge heater in the food industry is a company that produces chocolate jelly candies. When coating the jelly with chocolate, which loses heat and solidifies as it flows down the tray, the cartridge heater heats the tray, keeping the chocolate liquid.
- Mikanite and ceramic band heaters — Band heaters, both micanite and ceramic, are used for indirect heating of food substances. They are mounted on the outer surfaces of tanks or molds, which allows the contents to be heated without direct contact with the heater. Thus, the use of food certificates is not required.
- Flat oval heaters — is a variation of cartridge heaters and are also used for heating liquids in systems with limited space. They are characterized by a more complex structure, and inside is placed a heating spiral, in the form rolled back and forth. This design makes them more labor-intensive in production, which affects their higher price.
They are used, for example, in devices such as industrial fryers, where they ensure uniform heating of the oil.
Application of Heaters in the Food Industry
Electric heaters are used in many technological processes in the food industry, first of all it is:
1. Liquid heating: Products such as honey, chocolate or fats at low temperature become solids or crystallize. Tubular, cartridge and flat-oval heaters allow these substances to be heated, which allows them to be easily poured, transported and packaged.
2. Sterilization and pasteurization: Electric heaters are essential in sterilization and pasteurization processes, where the right temperature allows the elimination of harmful microorganisms, which is crucial for maintaining the hygiene and safety of food products, without losing the nutritional value of the products at the same time.
3. Melting: Heaters are used to melt ingredients such as butter, chocolate or caramel. Precise temperature control is crucial to avoid burning or crystallization, which could affect the quality of the final product.
4. Drying: In the drying processes of fruits, vegetables, herbs or spices, heaters allow effective removal of moisture while preserving taste and nutritional values.
Why Are Electric Heaters So Important?
Electric heaters are an extremely important element in the production process. Improper temperature control, lack of inspections and maintenance can lead to production losses as well as serious business losses. To better understand this, it is worth looking at three key areas of influence of heaters:
- The heater affects the quality of the product produced - Too high a temperature can destroy protein structures, vitamins and other nutrients, which leads to a decrease in the quality of the product. For example, overheating honey loses its health properties, and burning chocolate changes its taste and texture.
- Production efficiency - Improper temperature control can lead to production interruptions, product defects and the need to dispose of them. Heaters that are considered as a critical and sensitive component of the entire device work longer. This is due to regular maintenance and maintenance. Sometimes the heater burns out faster because it is a matter of oxidized form, or too much power. Observing this, as quickly as possible, allows you to maintain continuity of production and minimize losses.
- Business success — although at first glance it may seem that a heater with a higher power will speed up production, in fact it can bring losses. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to produce a heater, and to treat it as a replaceable element, like a light bulb, is a mistake. The heater is the key element of the machine, its “heart” in the heating process, so its proper maintenance is essential. Negligence can lead not only to the costs of replacing the heater, but also to the stopping of the production line. In the long run, an excessive load on the heater can damage the mold in which it is located, which generates additional repair or refresh costs.
Examples of Applications of Liquid Heaters in Food Processing Machinery:
Electric heaters are used in many devices of the food industry:
- Industrial fryers: Tubular and flat-oval heaters are crucial for efficient oil heating, allowing for quick and even frying.
- Brewing boilers: Tubular heaters are widely used to heat water or oil in boilers used for the production of beer, sauces or soups.
- Decrystallizers of honey: Cartridge and tube heaters are used to heat honey, which allows it to be easily processed, packaged and transported.
- Chocolate Melting Machine with Dispensing Pump: Tubular and cartridge heaters in this case not only melt the chocolate, but also maintain its constant temperature in order to maintain a liquid consistency without the risk of burning. Band heaters will also work great here, which, placed on a pump or dosing tube, will maintain a liquid consistency until the end of the process.
- Other machinery in the food industry, in which tubular, cartridge or band heaters will be used are: pasteurizer, steam machine (steamer), tanks for the production of oils or fish meal, all kinds of washers.
Our Know-How — The Key to Success
Thanks to our experience, we are able to supply heaters that meet the very specific requirements of our customers. We always focus on an individual approach, carefully analyzing the needs of the customer and proposing the best solutions in our opinion, which will guarantee a great quality heater. We know not only production or raw materials, but also how to maintain and use the heater to extend its life.
With good knowledge and control of how heaters work, we can achieve better results and minimize the risk of failure by saving time, thereby achieving our business objectives.