Types of Food Processing Equipment

3. Grinders, mincers

 

Grinders, also called mincers, are used for a variety of ingredients like meat, fish, dried herbs or chillis, or a mixture of ingredients. In a grinder the food is fed into a cone-shaped metal tube via a funnel on top and moved through the tube by a cone-shaped screw. At the end of the tube it is pressed against a metal plate with holes in it. A metal blade shears of the food, which is pressed through the holes, thereby cutting it into a paste. Depending on the size of the holes the paste (or powder for dry ingredients) can be rough to very fine:

• a fine mesh (Ø 2.7 – 3 mm) is perfect for grinding small seeds but not very suitable for meat.
• holes with a Ø of 4 - 6 mm are suitable for meat, cheese and vegetables
• holes larger than 7 mm are suitable for sausage meat.

Grinders can be manually operated, driven by a handcrank, or motor operated. When choosing a motor operated grinder it is important to select an adequate engine size.

Examples:

• juicy, soft meat - 800-watt
• tender meats - 1000- 1,500 watts
• hard meats - 1,600 watts or more

For processing fresh or frozen meat or fish refrigerated grinders are available.