Tahini machine

Types of Tahini Machines

Tahini is a vital ingredient in many dishes and sauces such as hummus and baba ganoush, leading to an upsurge in demand for the tahini machines that are used to make it. There are several types of machines used to produce tahini, ranging from small-scale to industrial-scale production.

• Stone Mill: Traditional stone mills are still used extensively today by numerous tahini producers. Such machines crush sesame seeds into a paste using two horizontal stones that are set in a wooden frame. The process is slow, giving the oil sufficient time to be released from the seeds, resulting in a flavorful and rich tahini paste. Numerous people prefer the stone mill because it produces a distinctively great taste and because it preserves the seeds' nutrients and health benefits.
• Screw Press: This is also known as a sesame oil extraction machine, which is mainly used to extract the oil from roasted sesame seeds and make tahini at the same time. A screw press consists of a screw that is housed in a cylindrical cage. The roasted sesame seeds are fed into the cage, and the screw pushes them forward by rotating, therefore extracting the oil and grinding the seeds into a paste. The oil extraction process involves some pressure and heat generated by friction, which helps to produce tahini with a relatively higher oil content. Oil extracted from the screw press can be separated, resulting in a relatively low oil content tahini paste. A screw press is used on a smaller scale than other methods.
• Colloid Mill: Colloid mills use grinding and shear forces to create tahini by-processing sesame seeds. The machine has a motor-driven rotor, which is then placed in a stator with a specifically set gap. The sesame seed is fed in the gap, and as the rotor and stator rotate in different directions, the sesame seed is crushed and disintegrated. The machine can process up to hundreds of kilograms of tahini in one hour, depending on the model and setup. More oil can be produced commercially using this technology, and it is more cost-effective than stone mills.
• Spray Drying Machine: This is primarily used for the drying process, which converts liquid products into dry powder. In the case of tahini, it is used to dry products that have been emulsified or are in the liquid form. A spray drying machine produces tahini powder. This machine atomizes liquid tahini into a hot drying chamber, which then dries and transforms it into powder. Spray drying machines are ideal for long-term preservation, storage, and transportation. They are also a useful alternative for businesses that want to produce and export tahini powder.
• Tunnel Roasting Machine: This is also known as a sesame seed roasting machine that is primarily used to roast sesame seeds before they are ground into tahini. By providing even heating and consistent temperature control, tunnel roasting machines ensure that the sesame seeds have the best flavor and aroma possible. The taste of the tahini is significantly influenced by how the sesame seeds are roasted, which explains why roasting is such a crucial step in the manufacturing process. The goal of roasting sesame seeds is to break the oily parts of the seeds so that they can be extracted while grinding them into a paste later on.

Tahini machine specification and maintenance

The specification of a tahini-making machine varies with different models, including the capacity of grams, which indicates the processing capability. Most commercial machines have a capacity of about 200-300 kgs per hour. Next is the power source, which could either be electric or diesel. The operating voltage of the grinding machine can be around 380V three-phase.

Another specification is the machine's dimensions. For example, a machine with 1,250mmx1,250mmx2,100mm weighs around 800 kgs. Furthermore, the efficiency of the machine indicates how much energy the machine uses to produce tahini from sesame. Some machines have an oil extraction feature and can efficiently extract oil from sesame paste. The extraction rate can range from 50% to 70%.

The grinding machines usually have stainless steel and copper. The grinding blades are often made of a specific copper alloy to improve hardness and better grind the sesame seeds. Some machines also have water-resistant features that make them suitable for use in different environments and weather conditions.

It is essential to learn how to use a sesame paste machine before selling it, as this will also help to know how to maintain it. First, read the manufacturer's manual. The manual has essential details about the machine's workings and how to take care of it. Next, check the oil. Some machines require it to run smoothly, and if there is no oil, it will wear out quickly. Refer to the manual to see if the oil can be used as per the manual requirements. Clean the parts that remove tahini. The parts are usually the hoppers and outlets, and dirt and debris can pile up quickly.

Use a vacuum cleaner or a blower to clean the hard-to-reach parts. If the machine has a detachable part, wash and scrub those parts thoroughly. Never put the machine in water, as the electrical parts can get damaged. Regularly calibrate grinding machines to ensure that sesame seeds are ground to the right size. Vacuum the dust that builds up on the motor casing and other areas on the machine that are not removable. Do not forget to grease or oil the moving parts of the tahini grinder so they can run smoothly and not make any unnecessary noises. If there are any signs of wear and tear, check them out immediately and maintain them to increase their lifespan and performance.

Scenarios of tahini machines

The main application of the tahini machine is to make the original tahini paste. This is the first and most important use of these machines, which is to achieve the production of unadulterated tahini paste, the basis for many recipes and specialty dishes.

Food manufacturers are significant consumers of large and industrial tahini machines. These machines process bigger volumes of sesame seeds to produce tahini than home or small-scale use kits. Food manufacturers use large-scale machines to create tahini for use in their products, which can include sauces, dips, dressings, desserts, and other items that contain tahini as an ingredient. For example, hummus, which is a popular dip in Western countries and is made of chickpeas, is sometimes manufactured using tahini as one of the ingredients.

Businesses that produce tahini will generally use machines that roast sesame seeds since roasting will bring out the natural flavor of the sesame seeds, and these businesses are looking to produce a product with a distinctly nutty flavor that differentiates their product from competitors. Countries like Israel produce tahini in large volumes and export it, catering to the demand in various regions such as Europe and North America where there is a high consumption rate.

Another industry that benefits from the production of tahini machines is the export market for tahini. Once produced in the above-mentioned food manufacturing plants, the tahini is exported to areas where they are mostly used and consumed. The deep knowledge, experience, and specialized skills involved in producing tahini are often major factors that determine the quality of the product, which will eventually affect the prices in the export market. Countries that are known to produce tahini and export it include those mentioned earlier, such as Israel, Turkey, and Lebanon. These countries have the required technology and expertise to produce large amounts of tahini for other countries to buy and use.

Restaurants and the food service industry as a whole are also great users of large-scale tahini machines to produce large amounts of tahini to use in various dishes, sauces, dressings, and desserts. Restaurants are also great consumers of ready-made tahini. This illustrates that both large-scale tahini machines and finished products are of great importance to the food service industry, which has many functions to serve.

How to choose tahini machines

There is a wide variety of tahini machines for sale, including commercial and small-scale machines. But there are some factors that buyers should consider before investing.

• Supply and demand

  Generally, the supply of sesame seeds is stable and does not fluctuate much, but the demand varies depending on the region. Many countries use sesame locally, meaning that the demand will be consistent. Investigate the local market to see how much tahini they use for cooking and what products contain it. If the region uses a lot of tahini, then investing in a commercial machine might be profitable. Also, consider the end product's demand. Does the country have many commercial tahini buyers, or will they all be small, rural businesses that are hard to reach?

• Production capacity

  The production capacity of the tahini machine will vary. Consider how much production capacity is needed and whether it can scale. For smaller businesses, a machine that can produce up to 300 kg of tahini per day should suffice, along with sufficient knowledge to help staff run the machines efficiently. For large commercial ventures, a much bigger production capacity is needed — at least 1 000 kg up to 3 000 kg per day. Machines with a higher production capacity are more efficient and cost-effective.

• Pressing method

  A popular way to make tahini is by crushing sesame seeds in a stone grinder. While there are various stone grinders, they all have the same concept, which is to slowly grind the seeds into a fine paste. Not only does this preserve the flavor and nutritional benefits of the seeds, but it is also an age-old technique used to make authentic tahini. Stone grinders have a few drawbacks, though. Because the production process is slow and grinding takes time, the capacity may be limited. This might become a bottleneck if the demand for end products is high. Also, stone grinders don't have any automation features and must be monitored by skilled staff, which could become a problem if there aren't any workers available.

• Energy source

  Many commercial and industrial sesame machines work on electricity. While this is a familiar energy source, some countries don't have a stable power supply. So, consider using machines that use diesel or other sustainable fuels that can handle more power requirements.

Tahini machine FAQ

Q1: What are the two types of tahini machines for making tahini?

A1: The two main types are stone grinders and steel grinders. Stone grinders have a traditional design that uses large, heavy stones to grind the sesame seeds gently. This results in tahini with a unique texture and flavor. On the other hand, steel grinders use modern stainless steel blades and plates to grind the seeds. Steel grinders are more common in commercial tahini production due to their efficiency and ability to produce consistent results.

Q2: How much capacity does a tahini-making machine have?

A2: Small machines can produce about 10-20 kilograms of tahini per hour. Medium-sized machines are capable of producing 20-100 kilograms of tahini per hour. Large commercial machines can produce 100-1000 kilograms of tahini per hour or even more.

Q3: What is the power of a tahini-making machine?

A3: The power of a tahini machines varies depending on the capacity and grinding method. Small industrial machines have 2-3 kilowatts of power, while larger industrial grinders have 3-5.5 kilowatts of power.

Q4: Does the tahini-making machine require any special installation?

A4: The tahini-making machine does not require any special installation. Provided that the operator has adequate knowledge and skills, he can easily install the machine. However, the manufacturer may provide specific installation requirements or guidelines.