Looking for plate, immersion or air-blast freezers? Search the freezer roundup to compare freezer types and applications.

Freezing removes heat from a product through the use of low temperatures. Commonly used in food processing, freezing food slows the growth of microorganisms and stops the breakdown of nutrients. Common freezing devices include plate freezers, continuous-conveyor freezers, air-blast freezers, cryogenic freezers and nitrogen-freezing units. The shape and size of each freezer varies with its application. Freezers also are used to test electronic devices and circuit boards, freeze plastic and rubber, shrink-fit metal parts, de-flash rubber and plastic parts, and cryogenically treat metals.

Process Cooling & Equipment's May/ June product roundup focuses on freezers. For more information on any of the freezers included in this roundup, use our WebCard to request more information. Each product description includes the month in which it appeared in the print magazine and its Reader Action Number. To request information about a particular product, click on the WebCard link above. On the WebCard, simply select the issue noted on the product description from the pulldown menu, then enter the company name or Reader Action Number corresponding to product about which you'd like to request information. Then click Submit!

If you need help, contact editor Linda Becker at (847) 297-3974; fax: (847) 297-8371;
e-mail: PCEmagazine@aol.com

Chilling Chamber

From Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products Inc., this freezer is used primarily for age-hardening, stress-relieving and transforming retained austenite to martensite; relieving internal stress; stabilizing dimensions; and increasing hardness and durability. Standard temperature range is -40 to -120°F (-40 to -85°C). Standard sizes range from 6 to 96 ft3, but custom chambers and sizes are available.
May/June 2000, RS# 259

Air-Blast Contact Freezer

Designed for continuous freezing, the UDSA-approved contact freezer from Sandvik Process Systems, is constructed to provide a sanitary environment. The freezer consists of an endless stainless steel belt on which the product is frozen by high velocity, refrigerated air blowing across the product and beneath the belt. Once it travels over the product, removing heat, the refrigerated air is recooled as it passes through evaporative coils. All surfaces that contact the product are fabricated of stainless steel or food-grade plastic.
May/June 2000, RS# 251

Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer

Model C85-14 from So-Low Environmental Equipment Co. Inc. is designed for applications such as shrink-fitting and storage. The cabinet has all-steel construction with a counter-balanced lid and an air-cooled condenser. A digital temperature control provides an ad-justable temperature range of -40 to -121°F (-40 to -85°C). With a storage capacity of 14 ft3, exterior dimensions are 71 x 35 x 46" and interior dimensions are 61 x 20 x 20".
May/June 2000, RS# 255

Liquid Nitrogen Immersion Freezer

From Martin/Baron Inc., this unit freezes food surfaces, thereby eliminating drying, reducing shrink, retaining color, moisture, texture and taste. Because clumping also is reduced, the liquid nitrogen ammonia freezer is suitable for products such as shrimp, soft fruits and vegetables, various meat products and prepared foods. Compact in size, the unit meets all USDA requirements.
May/June 2000, RS# 252

Refrigerator/Freezer

Husky from Benko Products Inc. is designed to maintain temperatures to -15°F (-26°C) and can be constructed to hold one to 32 55-gal drums. Forklift pockets and/or casters allow the refrigerator/freezer to be moved easily. Heavy-duty construction allows it to be used in a plant or outdoors.
May/June 2000, RS# 258

Walk-In Freezer

Prefabricated modular panels enable this walk-in freezer from Koolco Div., Emjac Industries Inc. to be assembled in the field. Sizes range from 72 x 72 x 94" to large warehouse structures up to 20' high. Custom sizes and shapes are available.
May/June 2000, RS# 261

Mechanical, Cryogenic Freezers

From Webber Manufacturing, an ozone-friendly mechanical system capable of -120°F (-84°C) and a cryogenic unit using liquid nitrogen offer heavy-duty construction. Top- and front-loading units are available with capacities from 6 to 200 ft3. Complete systems can be designed to provide desired throughput. Automated conveyorized loading systems and microprocessor controls with ramping capability from -300 to 350°F (-184 to 177°C) can be incorporated.
May/June 2000, RS# 256

Walk-In Freezer

This freezer from Kolpak has 4" urethane insulation throughout. Access holes are covered by snap-on plug buttons for improved sanitation, and the panels' tongue sides are provided with double PVC foamed-in-place gaskets. Floor edges are 0.375" radius-coved to ease cleaning, and the door jamb and plug perimeter are fabricated using fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
May/June 2000, RS# 284

Food Processing Freezer

Cryo-Quick Jumbo CF tunnel freezer enables food processors to rapidly chill and crust the outer layer of case-ready meat, allowing them to boost production. The system from Air Products and Chemicals Inc. has a 6.5" product clearance to accommodate the large diameter of case-ready meats.
May/June 2000, RS# 262

Blast Freezer

From Colmac Coil Manufacturing Co., this blast freezer is available with air, water, hot gas or electric defrost options. Built with a blow-through configuration, the freezer is manufactured with a 16-gauge galvanized steel outer casing. Freon cooling coils with aluminum fins can be arranged for flooded, liquid recirculation or direct expansion feed. A compartmentalized fan section permits individual fan operation for capacity control and prevents short cycling. Fans are connected directly to the fan motor for maximum air throw.
May/June 2000, RS# 253

Automatic Contact Plate Freezer

Amerio from APV employs a direct double contact plate design to minimize shrinkage and dehydration. The unit's rapid freezing method maintains desired product characteristics such as texture, flavor, color and nutrient fluids. Other features include aluminum freezer plates and side spacers; automatic loader/unloader device; and programmable control for fully automated operation. Operation is continuous with conveyor speed and machine capacity designed to match product rates. It provides high capacity production freezing on a continuous basis and is available in several sizes and throughput rates.
May/June 2000, RS# 254

Product Surface Freezer

SuperContact employs a mechanical freezing process that produces rapid crust freezing through contact heat transfer. Products are carried on a thin continuous film conveyor over a low temperature plate filled with recirculating refrigerant. Upon contact, the product's bottom surface begins to freeze instantly, setting product shape. Suitable for soft, wet and sticky products, the freezer from Northfield Freezing Systems is available in 10' modules at widths from 1.5 to 7.2'.
May/June 2000, RS# 264

Cabinet Freezer

DriCO2 from Carbonic International Inc. combines the features of a mechanical refrigeration-type precooler unit with a cryogenic flash freezing unit using liquid CO2 at temperatures of -110°F (-79°C). The cabinet has a high gloss stainless steel finish inside and out, and the door can be constructed from low temperature glass or stainless steel. Capable of being used as a holding cooler, precooler or cryogenic freezer, the unit will not change the shape, texture, color or aroma of food.
May/June 2000, RS# 257

Walk-In Freezer

Built to withstand warehouse use, this walk-in freezer from Eliason Corp. has reinforced walls to ensure safe surface mounting of accessories. Joints are gasket-sealed with covered corners to ease cleaning and sanitation. The unit is shipped with engineering details indicating location of floor splines, walls, corners, door and top sections. Standard panels can be used to develop a multiple combination walk-in unit.
May/June 2000, RS# 250

Walk-In Freezer

From Erickson Industries, this freezer has roll-formed panel lengths with Double 90 flanges to provide rigidity to metal pans. The 4" floor panel has a 0.5" interior cove with hydraulically press-formed corners. Interconnected with cam-action locking devices, all panels have tongue-and-groove configuration with foamed-in-place gasket edges for airtight assembly.
May/June 2000, RS# 285

Stainless Steel Freezers

Single-, two- and three-door stainless steel freezers from Cold-stream Products Corp. use R404A refrigerant and are sized for demanding process cooling applications. Freezer body is manufactured with CFC-free, foamed-in-place high-density cell insulation. Positive seal self-closing doors come with a hold-open feature for loading.
May/June 2000, RS# 260

Laboratory Freezer

From Forma Scientific Inc., this heavy-gauge steel cabinet is designed to withstand daily laboratory use. Non-CFC, foamed-in-place polyurethane insulation provides product protection. The unit has 1.12" access ports with interior and exterior plugs and adjustable leveling feet. The solid freezer door incorporates a door-ajar indicator. High temperature alarm lights, mounted on the control panel, are activated if temperature rises above -3°F (-19°C) to allow quick verification of abnormal temperature conditions.
May/June 2000, RS# 263

Walk-In Freezer

From Elliott-Williams Co. Inc., a walk-in freezer has obstruction-free ceilings and foamed-in-place urethane insulation. All joints are fitted with double 0.1875" thick gaskets compressed to 0.125". Structures are enhanced by steel tubes, rods and spacers held in the center of urethane panels by steel fins, and floors are covered with nonslip fabric.
May/June 2000, RS# 283