Apparatus and methods for cooling and tempering processed food products

摘要

An apparatus (10) for cooling and tempering bacon slabs supported upon wheeled trucks (24) which can be rolled on the floor (14) inside a cooler (12) includes an evaporator (26) having multiple fans (34) for moving air through refrigerated coils (32) and in the cooler (12). Moisture collecting on the refrigerated coils (32) drops into a drain pan (30) and is drained through pipes (38) outside the cooler (12). The fans (34) are alternately rotated in opposite directions for equal time segments and baffles (40) are provided inside of the cooler (12) to assure uniform air chilling. A controller (46) operates the evaporator (26) so that the air inside of the cooler (12) is cooled to a temperature less than the internal product temperature which is greater than freezing and specifically in the preferred form at a desired temperature differential of 20 DEG F. (11 DEG C.) until an intermediate internal product temperature is reached. Then the evaporator (26) maintains the air temperature inside the cooler (12) below the final internal product temperature until the final internal product temperature is reached when the air is then maintained in the cooler (12) at the final internal product temperature.