Integrated Marine Systems, a US firm based in Washington State, first introduced its FastChill FC 80 slurry ice machine in autumn 2009.
This compact self-contained unit produces 8,000lb of slurry ice per day.
In June of this year, the 125ft trawler Intrepid Explorer was sold by B & N Fisheries of Seattle to a group of Russian fishermen. A primary concern of the vessel’s new owners revolved around the issue of delivering top quality product to the Russian marketplace. And so when the boat left US waters to work the pollock and cod fishery, there were two brand-new FastChill FC400 slurry ice machines onboard.
Managed with a straightforward control panel, the two slurry ice machines can produce a combined 80,000lb of ice per day. The 24oF slurry can be delivered via pump where it’s needed, and operators can adjust the machines to deliver thicker and colder (24oF/-4.4oC) slurry or just a little ice with chilled water (32oF/0oC).
It is well-known that not all ice is created equal. Research has shown that the use of slurry ice as a chilling storage system has an inhibitory effect on the sensory, biochemical and microbiological spoilage that occurs in marine species. In addition to processing plants that specialise in freezing seafood and use slurry ice to hold product prior to processing and/or to lower temperatures before product is placed in the freezer, producers of canned product can also improve quality by holding product in slurry ice.
Differing from other types of ice, the ‘iquid’ nature of slurry ice provides a more even, rapid and efficient cooling by coming into full contact with seafood products. Slurry ice is all-natural and leaves no residue while preserving weight and quality. The IMS FastChill slurry ice machines make silky-smooth ice that chills faster – without bruising.
