Blast chilling

Blast chilling is a method of cooling food quickly to a low temperature that is safe from bacterial growth. Bacteria multiply most rapidly between 50°F (10°C) and 150°F (60°C), so reducing the temperature of cooked food within this range as quickly as possible can significantly reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

Process

The process of blast chilling involves spreading the food out on shallow trays so that the maximum surface area is exposed to the cold air. The food is then placed in a blast chiller, which uses a high-speed fan to circulate cold air around the food. This rapid air movement accelerates heat transfer and cools the food quickly.

Benefits

The main benefit of blast chilling is that it minimizes the time food spends in the "danger zone" between 50°F (10°C) and 150°F (60°C), thus reducing the risk of bacterial growth. Other benefits include maintaining the quality of the food, as rapid chilling can reduce the loss of moisture, color, flavor and nutritional value that can occur during slow cooling. It also allows food to be prepared in advance and stored safely until needed, which can improve efficiency in a commercial kitchen.

Applications

Blast chilling is widely used in the food industry, particularly in catering and food production. It is also used in some home kitchens, although domestic blast chillers are less common due to their size and cost. In addition to cooling cooked food, blast chillers can also be used to rapidly chill drinks, or to freeze food quickly to preserve its quality.

See also

• Food safety
• Food preservation
• Refrigeration