What Foods Are Processed with Drum Drying
Drum drying is an essential part of processing many types of foods. A drum dryer is a rotating cylinder that is heated from the inside. Wet food material is spread onto the drum’s surface, and as the drum turns, the heat dries the material. Once the material is dry, a knife or scraper blade gently flakes it off the drum.
So, what foods are typically processed with drum dryers? This list isn’t exhaustive, but these are some of the common foods processed using drum drying as part of the manufacturing process.
STARCHES AND CEREALS
- Cooked or pregelatinized starches (just add water food products)
- Instant potatoes
- Rice flakes
- Oat flakes
- Corn Flakes
- Precooked cereal flour
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- Dried fruit
- Tomato powder
- Pumpkin flakes
OTHER FOOD & DRINKS
- Baby food
- Instant baby formula
- Milk powder
- Sauce powders
- Cocoa powder mixes
- Maltodextrins
- Sodium benzoate (prevent growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold)
- Propionates (prevent mold)
- Acetates (vinegar-based to help preserve food and control acidity)
- Yeast
- Protein powders
The reason drum drying is used for these particular foods is because it can handle thick, sticky materials. Drum drying helps create food products with good solubility and rehydration properties.
