Due to the growth in imports of deep frozen fish and fish products mainly from Asian countries, thawing in the processing industry has become a bigger issue. Innotec Systems B.V. has developed a quick thawer for this problem.
The Speedy Thawer for large batches and Speedy Thawer-Mini for small batches gives fish, seafood and meat processing companies in the Netherlands phenomenal results, says Innotec.
“Normal” thawing by means of air circulation results in a nice product, but also with mayor disadvantages. These are mainly the long thawing time, loading and unloading of the racks and the required floor area. With the development of the Speedy Thawer Innotec Systems B.V. says that it offers the solution to these problems.
The product is in direct contact with flowing water, resulting in much faster thawing - the thawing time is reduced to 1/3. Fewer fibres get damaged by ice crystals, resulting in less drip loss and therefore less weight loss. Also a much better “fresh look” is achieved. With the development of the quick thawer, special attention is given to hygiene, the controllability and containment of the process, the product temperature and water use efficiency. The thawing temperature will not rise above 7°C and the core temperature of the product will be +1°C after thawing. Due to the compact construction method, less floor area is required and a great advantage in planning is achieved by the short handling and thawing time.
The quick thawing system is modular and can be built in a large version, the Speedy Thawer or a smaller version the Speedy Thawer-Mini”. Therefore it is very applicable for both big and small processing companies. The “Speedy Thawer” can be used for thawing products like:
• Separately frozen whole plaice (IQF, 10% glazed)
• Whole plaice block frozen (15–40kg)
• Alaska pollock frozen at sea in blocks (5-16kg)
• Whole round fish
• Interleaved blocks with filets
• Pangasius separately frozen or interleaved
• Fish filets IQF glazed or unglazed
• Herring in small barrels or bags
• Mackerel in packs/blocks
• Vacuum and/or in plastic packed fish products
• All kinds of shrimp
• Squid
