food pulverizer

Types of food pulverizers

A food pulverizer is a machine that grinds food into fine particles or powder. There are several types of pulverizer machines for food that use various principles to achieve similar results. Some pulverizers crush and grind, while others offer blow and grind functions. Here are the common types of food pulverizers.

• Hammer mill pulverizer

  The hammer mill food pulverizer machine combines size-reducing mechanisms and vibratory screens. It works by striking food materials with rotating hammers. The force exerted by the spinning hammer breaks down the food into smaller particles. The powdered food particles then fall onto the vibratory screen, where oversize particles are screened and recycled back into the hammer mill.

• Pin mill pulverizer

  The pin food pulverizer consists of stationary and moving disks with steel pins attached. Food materials enter the machine's feeding section, where they begin breaking down between the stationary and moving disks. The pulverized food exits the pin mill through an outlet.

  Pin mills are suitable for grinding hard food into coarse or fine powder. Many food processing companies use them to grind spices, salt, and sugar.

• Colloidal mill pulverizer

  A food colloidal mill pulverizer works by shearing food materials between the rotor and stator in close contact. It crushes food particles into smaller sizes by applying hydraulic pressure. This pulverizer is suitable for making emulsion-based food products and grinding oily and fatty food materials.

• Ultrafine pulverizer

  Ultrafine pulverizers have a blow and grind mechanism. The pulverizer blows food materials into the grinding chamber at high pressure, making them collide against the blunt surfaces during the grinding process. The collision breaks the food material into fine particles. Some ultrafine food pulverizers have integrated air classifiers to separate finer particles from larger ones.

  Ultrafine pulverizers are ideal for grinding soft and medium-hard food products like grains, herbs, and vegetables.

• Electric pulverizer

  The electric food pulverizer is the most common type used at home. It comes in various sizes and designs. An electric motor powers it. Some designs are compact, and users can easily store them when not in use. The pulverizers are also easy to operate and produce little noise.

  Electric pulverizers grind up various food materials, including grains, spices, coffee beans, and vegetables. Manufacturers put safety features like overload protection and anti-slip bottoms to ensure users are safe during operation.

Specifications and Maintenance of Food Pulverizers

The specifications of a food grinder machine vary according to its models and types. However, the following specifications are standard for many pulverizers.

• Power Rating

  A food pulverizer's power rating is measured in watts or horsepower. It indicates its grinding power and capacity. Pulverizers with high power ratings can grind food with tough and hard textures faster. Such pulverizers often have horsepower of up to 3HP.

• Grinding Speed

  The food grinder speed varies depending on the food item and its formulation. Some food items require fast grinding speeds for fine milling and smoother output. Other food items require slow grinding to maintain their texture and flavor. High-powered food pulverizers offer several grinding speeds to process different food items.

• Food Capacity

  Each pulverizer has a food processing capacity. It measures the amount of food it can grind within a single milling cycle. Pulverizers with high capacity are suited for large-scale food processing. Their design allows continuous grinding without stopping to cool down.

• Materials

  The housing and grinding chamber of a food pulverizer are made of stainless steel or food-grade aluminum. These are safe materials for processing food items. Manufacturers select them because they are durable and resistant to corrosion.

• Airflow

  A food grinder pulverizer has an airflow rate measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The grinding process releases a lot of heat. The pulverizer uses the airflow passing through its milling chamber to cool down the equipment and prevent overheating.

• Grinding Blade

  The pulverizing machine has different types and numbers of blades. Some models have a single blade, while others have two or more blades. The blades are manufactured with hardened steel for maximum durability.

Food pulverizers need regular maintenance to keep them running and working efficiently. Manufacturers recommend cleaning the pulverizer after each use. Disassembling the unit allows thorough cleaning of the parts that come into contact with food. Manufacturer manuals provide details on the correct cleaning methods and damping and drying procedures for each component.

For deep cleaning, pulverizers must be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly at least once a week. Regularly wiping the external parts helps keep the pulverizer neat and clean. Users should avoid using harsh chemicals during cleaning to prevent food contamination hazards.

The blade or grinding plates need periodic sharpening to ensure optimal performance. They should be serviced after 20 hours of continuous use. Users may also consider sharpening them more often depending on the pulverizer's grinding quality. Manufacturers recommend going over the blades with a sharp cloth in between servicing to maintain their sharpness.

Finally, users should always inspect the food pulverizer and take note of worn-out, loose, and damaged components. This will prevent sudden breakdowns of the equipment during food processing. If a part is damaged, it should be repaired or replaced immediately to keep the machine running smoothly.

Scenarios of food pulverizer

Food pulverizers are vital components used in various industries that process food products. One of the main applications of pulverizers is in the milling industry, where grains, such as maize, wheat, and rice, are processed into fine flour. Pulverizers that have been built with specific features can also be used to make maize flour, which is known as 'posho' flour.

The spice industry extensively uses food pulverizers. Spice varieties are whole, such as turmeric, black pepper, and cinnamon, which pulverizers crush into fine powders for easier cooking and packaging for consumer use. But pulverizers that also handle wet food and oily spices are processed for paste consistency.

In the meat processing industry, pulverizers are used to manufacture meat powder and meat floss, which is becoming increasingly popular among the youth for breakfast meals and snacking. Pulverizers with larger capacities are used to break down meat fibers and protein.

Food pulverizers are also used in the pharmaceutical industry to produce fine medicinal powders. These pulverizers are specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of pharmaceutical manufacturing. They will often have stainless steel enclosures with antimicrobial properties, and the pulverizing process is also done with minimum noise and vibration.

Food pulverizers are also widely used in research and development laboratories where scientists and food engineers are looking to examine specific food products or develop new ones. In most cases, pulverizers are used to prepare the sample.

Pulverizers are also used to produce animal feed ingredients. They will break down food products like grains and animal meat into small sizes for easy consumption and digestion.

People seeking to make their own pastes, powders, or flours at home can also use pulverizers. These pulverizers are usually sold at retail for DIY food recipes, which helps people control what ingredients go into their food products.

How to choose food pulverizers

These are some things to look at when selecting a food pulverizer:

• Needs assessment

  Before buying a food pulverizer, determine what type of food it will pulverize. Consider the kinds of food it will process, the required volume, and the desired consistency. This assessment will help to identify specific features and specifications needed to meet the business's unique requirements.

• Powers and capacity

  Choose a food pulverizer with the necessary power to handle the foods it intends to process. Consider the motor wattage, which affects the machine's grinding ability. Also, consider the pulverizer's capacity in terms of batch size or throughput. Select a suitable size to meet the business's production demands and avoid bottlenecks in the workflow.

• Processing options

  Consider the food pulverizer's available options. Some pulverizers offer multiple functions, such as grinding, milling, crushing, and blending. Choosing a pulverizer with diverse processing choices eliminates the need to purchase separate machines, saving space and expense.

• Quality and durability

  Opt for a food pulverizer made with quality materials and reliable construction. A durable machine can withstand frequent use and heavy workloads, resulting in reduced maintenance costs and downtime.

• Easy-clean design

  Choose a pulverizer that has removable parts and washable components, ensuring optimal food safety and minimizing the risk of cross-contamination.

Q&A

Q1: Can a food pulverizer be used for wet grinding?

A1: Food pulverizers are designed primarily for dry grinding. While some models may handle small quantities of moist or damp ingredients, excessive water content could damage the machine. Consider food processors for wet grinding.

Q2: How loud is a food pulverizer?

A2: The pulverizers vary in noise level depending on the motor power and blade quality. Most models produce noise comparable to a vacuum cleaner or power tool. Using it in well-ventilated places away from people is advisable.

Q3: What is the difference between pulverizing and grinding food?

A3: While similar, grinding and pulverizing are distinct processes. Grinding refers to breaking food into smaller parts, such as chops or slices. A grinder will give a coarse output, while a food pulverizer will give a fine powder. Pulverizing involves crushing food into an extremely fine powder. Pulverizers can handle tougher jobs than grinders.

Q4: What kinds of foods can be processed with a food pulverizer?

A4: Pulverizers are versatile machines that can handle various dry ingredients. Common foods that they process include spices like black pepper, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Other food items are rice, beans, lentils, wheat, oats, coffee beans, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and pumpkin powder.

Q5: What safety features does a pulverizer have?

A5: Food pulverizers have several safety features. These include an overload motor protector, which protects the motor in case of overloading, overheating, or inadvertent jamming. Some models have a safety lid interlock that prevents the machine from operating unless the lid is appropriately locked. Manufacturers also recommend users avoid excessive processing at once and follow the instructions provided.