Introduction to Industrial Food Processors

If you run a business that requires you to chop, grind, pulverize, or puree food to make products, you’re probably familiar with industrial food grinders and other size reduction equipment. Designed to facilitate heavy vegetable prep (while also making chopping and pureeing easy to scale), industrial food processors serve many purposes. When it’s time to invest in your first machine or purchase a replacement machine, here’s what you need to know.

Who Uses Industrial Food Processors?

Industrial food shredders are versatile. People who own juice bars, for example, use these machines to grind produce and prepare it for extraction. Industrial food grinders can also shred frozen materials, create slurries, and process hard items, like wheels of dense cheese. Grinders can either generate a finished product or play an integral role in the reduction process. These machines can be custom-engineered to support your applications and processes. This versatility is ideal if you process various products daily.

5 Primary Types of Industrial Food Shredders

Angle Disintegrators. Angle disintegrators are gravity-fed mills that are popular among customers for their flexibility and longevity. A standby in both the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, these machines also process products ranging from vegetables and fruits to frozen material, cooked meats, dry solids, and slurries.
Screw-Fed Disintegrators. Screw-fed disintegrators are most common in the juice industry since they process sticky materials efficiently. They also have applications in other sectors which require precise metering. The disintegrator is excellent at handling leafy green veggies, as well as larger items, like melons, ginger, squash, and cabbages.

Pump Fed Disintegrators. Pump-fed disintegrators process pumpable liquids. Initially designed for protein recovery purposes, these machines are now standard in the dairy, tomato, and bean industries.

Crushers. Crushers are ideal for processing frozen, bulk materials. Users can empty a five-gallon bucket of frozen materials into the machine, and it will pull the pieces through a comb, preparing it for further reduction.

Shredders. Shredders are most common in establishments that need to shred large quantities of cheese (as pizza topping, for example). These machines can also be used to process blocks of frozen or hard material so it can be freeze-dried.

What to Look for in Industrial Food Equipment

Insist on these traits as you start your search for an industrial food shredder:

Is it User-Friendly?

If you’ve never used an industrial food shredder before, it’s natural to have some reservations about the process. After all, these machines seem large and intimidating. Set yourself up for success by seeking a model that’s simple and user-friendly. The fewer moving parts, the better. Not only does this streamline operations and help you avoid injuries, but it makes the machine easy to clean, reduces maintenance requirements, and keeps the grinder running for years.

Are the Screens Easy to Change?

Industrial shredders are a “buy one, get everything” solution. If you need to grind or chop things to different sizes, you can do it all on one machine – you just have to swap screens out before you change applications. If the screen exchange process is not easy, you might consider shopping for a different machine. Ideally, you should be able to change screens easily and quickly, without tools. Machines that offer this keep your workflow running and reduce delays in production. Regular screen changes can also increase your yield, which translates right into a bigger bottom line.

Is it Well-Built?

Your operations rely on your food shredder, so you need something high-quality and reliable. Before you purchase a grinder, consider its construction. Is it made from durable materials? Do the machines have a reputation for longevity? What’s the average lifespan of the model you’re considering? How much maintenance will you have to do throughout that lifespan? When you invest in a high-quality model at the outset, it will save you time and money down the road.

Is it Powerful Enough?

The difference between ground and unground (or whole) products can be huge. In some cases, you can save as much as a few dollars a pound by investing in whole ingredients and grinding it on your own. Before you can do this, though, you need to ensure the model you want is powerful enough to handle your raw materials. While gravity-fed disintegrators are made to process lighter materials, like leafy greens and fruits, other models are powerful enough to process large volumes of frozen material. Make sure the grinder you select offers the power you need.

Is it Affordable?

A good commercial grinder is an investment, but it shouldn’t break the bank. Look for grinders that are within your budget and have a reputation for quality. Take some time to consider additional factors, like maintenance and accessory expenses, as well.

Bonus: How’s the Customer Service?

Your business is your pride and joy, and you deserve a buying experience that reflects that. As you search for your ideal industrial grinder, look for a brand that offers outstanding customer service. The sales team should work closely with you to help you find the solutions you need, and make sure you’re getting the most from their piece of equipment.

Additional Purchasing Considerations

Here are some other factors to keep in mind as you shop for grinders:

Size. What size machine do you need? How much space do you have available in your kitchen or production facility? Will the grinder fit where you need it to go? If not, can you make additional space?
Capacity. You want a grinder that has enough capacity to handle your current needs while also scaling with your business. Consider buying up in size, so you can continue to use the grinder for years.
Screen size. It’s common for business owners to purchase several different screen sizes for their grinders. This is particularly true in applications where materials require preparation before grinding can take place. If you’re not sure what screen size you need, the sales representative should be able to help you decide.
Application. Industrial food grinders are deeply application-specific. What works for someone who needs to process potatoes will not work for someone who wants to juice roots. With this in mind, consider both your current and future grinder applications. What does your company do now? What do you imagine you will expand into in the coming years?

Finding the Right Commercial Food Shredder for Your Purposes

Commercial food grinders play a critical role in processing raw materials and helping your business create quality products. It’s easily one of the most essential pieces of equipment you own, and you deserve quality, longevity, and reliability. Corenco specializes in high-quality, durable grinders that will increase your output and help your business grow. If you’re in the market for a new Corenco disintegrator, our reps will work with you to help you find the perfect solution. We’ve been in business for 42 years, and we’re here to manufacture solutions that work for you. Contact us today to learn more.