What is Drum Dryer Flaking in Food Processing?
Drum dryer flaking is the process of scraping dried food material from the surface of a heated drum cylinder. This method transforms liquid or semi-liquid food into thin, solid flakes. In food processing, drum dryer flaking is essential for producing instant, quick-cooking products like instant mashed potatoes or baby formula. It's especially effective for starchy foods as the drum drying process simultaneously cooks, dries, and forms them into familiar flake shapes.
In drum dryer flaking, wet food is evenly applied to the surface of a hot rotating drum. As the food dries into a thin film and is scraped off by a blade to form flakes. These flakes can be packaged as-is or further processed into powders. Learn more about the drum drying process by reading the article, “What is Drum Drying in Food Processing?”
HOW DRUM DRYER FLAKING WORKS
During drum drying, a blade, often called a roll cleaning blade, scraper, knife, or flaker blade removes the dried food material from the drum surface. As the thin continuous sheet is lifted, it naturally breaks into flakes. This stage is known as flaking because the end product are delicate, crisp flakes. These flakes may then be gently broken down or milled to achieve the desired particle size.
KADANT'S ROLE
During the drum drying process, a roll cleaning blade, scraper, knife, or flaker blade is used to remove the food product evenly and hygienically from the entire surface of the drum dryer. Drum drying becomes less efficient if the blade systems do not remove the dried product due to uneven pressures and ineffective blade materials. To solve this, Kadant supplies the unique AccuFlake™ PRO blade holder and ProFlake™ roll cleaning blade designed specifically for drum dryer applications. Both products are HACCP International food safe certified. To learn more about the AccuFlake PRO blade holder and ProFlake roll cleaning blade, check out the article, “Revolutionizing Food Processing with Advanced Drum Drying Solutions.”
