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About puree machine

Types of puree machines

Puree machines are versatile food processing equipment designed to break down solid food items into smooth, cohesive mixtures or purees. Depending on their working mechanism and features, they can be classified into various categories.

  • By crushing mechanism

    Generally, puree machines use two types of crushing mechanisms: centrifugal and cut/hold. Machines with centrifuge crushing mechanisms tend to be faster. They smash the food into puree through rotating the knives at high speeds. These puree machines work well on food items with high water content such as tomatoes and watermelon. On the contrary, puree machines with cut/hold crushing mechanisms use knives to slice the food. Then, they hold the pieces for additional crushing. They work well on tougher food items such as carrots and potatoes.

  • By food processing stages

    Puree machines can also be classified into primary and secondary puree machines. The primary puree machines are closer to the farms and raw food materials. They are intended for large-scale production and may have simple processing lines. Usually, they eliminate the unwanted parts of the food and offer rough purees. On the contrary, the secondary puree machines are closer to the end-user. They refine the rough puree into fine puree and may incorporate additional food items to the already processed food.

  • By driving force

    Electric puree machines are powered by electricity and come pre-installed with electric motors. They perhaps be the most popular type on the market. Electric puree machines work well on various food items and have fast processing speeds. They are ideal for users who have high puree demands. On the flip side, hand puree machines are operated manually. They have handles that users can push to process food. Puree machines that are operated manually may not be suitable for commercial use because of their labor-intensive process and low production.

Specifications and Maintenance

The specifications of a food puree machine for sale vary depending on the type and model. Here are some specifications for a general idea:

  • Rated power

    The rated power of electric puree machines ranges from 250 watts to 4,500 watts. Power affects how efficient and fine an puree a machine can produce. Higher-rated power leads to smoother purees.

  • Operating speed

    Some puree machines have one or two scores that operate at 6,000, 12,000, or other rpm speeds. Higher speed can process food faster and make purees smoother.

  • Production Capacity

    A commercial machine puree has a production capacity between 60 kg and 120 kg per hour. More giant machines have higher production capacities. The capacity depends on the design, motor strength, and food type.

  • Materials

    Puree machines are made out of stainless steel, plastic, or a mixture of both. Foods requiring heat treatment during processing must have components made of heat-resistant materials. Those materials can withstand the temperatures and pressure inside the puree machine without being harmful to health.

Maintenance

Cleaning and sterilizing is a maintenance routine every puree machine will demand. The manufacturer's manual may give more specific instructions, but here are the general steps:

  1. Disconnect Power:

    Before cleaning the puree machine, disconnect the electric power supply. For bulky machines, shut off the water and electricity valves that pass through the puree machine.

  2. Disassemble Parts:

    Remove trays, hoppers, faucets, and other removable parts. Most puree machines have trays and hoppers that can be removed easily. Some are even dishwasher safe. Use the manufacturer's instructions to make disassembling easier and keep the machine in good condition.

  3. Clean and Sterilize:

    Cleaning: Clean each removable part. Scrub with detergent. For parts that fit in the dishwasher, check if they are dishwasher safe. Wipe the rest of the puree machine dry with a clean piece of cloth.

    Sterilizing: Once all parts are clean and dried up, start sterilizing the machine. Use an appropriate sterilizer to clean the parts thoroughly. Pay close attention to areas with food residue. Wipe the sterilizer off thoroughly before assembling the parts back.

Applications of puree machines

Puree machines are essential in the food processing industry. They help make sauces such as tomato, berry, and apple sauces, among others. Manufacturers use puree machines to make smoothies and fruit and vegetable juices. Other products processed with puree machines include baby food, soups, and dips like hummus and salsa.

Restaurants and commercial kitchens use puree machines for food preparation. They make smooth soups, sauces, marinades, and dressings. Chefs also use puree machines to create beautiful food presentations by pureeing fruits and vegetables into elegant eyeball dishes. Catering services also use puree machines to prepare large quantities of pureed foods for events and banquets.

In the healthcare sector, puree machines are crucial. Hospitals and nursing homes use them to prepare pureed diets for patients with swallowing difficulties or those requiring modified diets. These devices ensure that patients receive nutritious pureed foods tailored to their specific dietary needs.

On small-scale home food production, puree machines can process small batches of pureed products for home use. They are also ideal for home cooks and enthusiasts who wish to prepare their own sauces, baby food, salad dressings, and fruit or vegetable purees from scratch. Additionally, some infants and young children require pureed diets; therefore, concerned caregivers can purchase a puree machine and prepare fresh food instead of buying processed jars filled with baby food.

Puree machines are not limited to fruits and vegetables. They are ideal for nuts and legumes as well. Nut and seed butters are made using puree machines, and these include peanut butter, almond butter, and sunflower seed butter, among others. Manufacturers of food processing equipment recommend high-power machines with stainless steel blades for efficient processing.

How to choose a puree machine

When purchasing a puree machine for commercial use, buyers should consider the capacity and functionality. Go for a machine that has a high processing capacity to handle large volumes of food. Multifunctional puree machines will offer more value since they can process different types of foods for various applications. Check the quality of puree produced by the machine and its grinding mechanism. Plain and coarse filters will determine the final texture of the puree. Machines with thermostats, automated grinding, and cooling processes will streamline operations and produce consistent results. Considering the machine's safety features is also important. Look for features such as overload protection, anti-slip surfaces, and safety locks. Cleaning and maintenance requirements should also be considered. A stainless steel puree machine with dishwasher-safe components will make the process easier.

Puree machine FAQ

Q1: How does a puree machine work?

A1: The pureeing process begins with the food item being loaded into the machine. Next, the machine will squash the food item and shear it into tiny pieces. Finally, the machine will mix it into a consistent and smooth puree.

Q2: What types of puree machines are there?

A2: The two most common puree machines are food mills and commercial-grade blenders. Food mills are manual machines that can be used to puree soft food to create a homestyle product. On the other hand, blenders are used to practically puree any food.

Q3: Why are puree machines important in the food industry?

A3: Puree machines process fruits, vegetables, and cooked meat into soups, sauces, juices, baby food, and smoothies. It is basically the first step to creating any of these food items. Furthermore, puree machines help commercial kitchens prepare food more efficiently and also improve the texture and flavor of the final food product.

Q4: Can a puree machine process whole fruits and vegetables?

A4: Generally, users must cut the food into smaller pieces before placing them in the puree machine. Some machines are powerful enough to handle whole produce, but that is rare.