Ghee production equipment

Types of ghee production equipment

The following types of ghee production equipment are commonly used in large-scale ghee production.

• Raw material storage

  It usually includes silos and cold storage rooms where milk or butter is kept before processing.

• Pasteurization unit

  It can be a pasteurizer or a pasteurization plant, which is used to heat milk to kill bacteria before further processing.

• Clarification unit

  It can be a butter clarifier, an oil-water separator, or a cream separator, which is used to remove impurities and non-fat solid parts from the milk or butter.

• Evaporation unit

  It can be an evaporator or a vacuum evaporator, which is used to remove excess water from milk to increase the concentration of fat.

• Drying unit

  It can be a spray dryer or a fluidized bed dryer, which is used to dry the final product to produce powder or granular form of ghee.

• Vaccum cooking system

  It is the key equipment for converting entire milk into ghee under vacuum and controlled temperature. This helps to remove moisture from the ghee. The system is often made from stainless steel and is designed to have low residual volume and quick draining properties.

• Packing machine

  It can be a pouch packing machine, an automatic filling machine, or an encapsulation line, which is used to package the final product in pouches, jars, or other containers.

• Homogenizer

  The homogenizer is a machine that breaks the fat globules in the ghee and keeps them uniform in size, which ensures that the ghee is stable and does not separate.

• Labelling machine

  The labelling machine is used to mark various ingredients and nutritional information on the product. It is often used to make the ghee comply with the local regulations and requirements.

• Storage tanks

  It can be silos, refrigerated tanks, or any other kind of storage facility. Storage tanks are used to store the raw materials, products, or by-products in the ghee production line.

• Central control system

  The central control system is used to monitor and control the entire production process. It is often equipped with a touch screen, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and other advanced instruments to ensure the stability and safety of the production line.

Specification & Maintenance

The specifications of ghee production lines and equipment differ based on the type and size of the apparatus. Here are some general specifications corresponding to the types of equipment used for ghee production.

• Production Capacity: This indicates the amount of raw material that equipment can process in a given time period. For example, a ghee clarifier can indicate its processing capacity as 100 kg/h.
• Material: Various pieces of ghee production equipment are made from stainless steel or carbon steel. Equipment made with food-grade stainless steel will typically have a 304 commercial grade, giving it a rust-proof quality. Durable and resilient, stainless steel is suitable for equipment that comes in contact with food.
• Power: Power in ghee production equipment is typically measured in horsepower or watts. The higher the power, the more massive the production. For example, an evaporator may indicate a power rating of 5kW, which shows its ability to heat milk to extract the fat and convert it into ghee.
• Control System: Many modern pieces of equipment for ghee production are now fitted with integrated control systems for real-time monitoring of the processing of the product. These control systems may be touch screens, control panels, and valves for regulating temperature, pressure, etc.
• Automation: Ghee production equipment such as separators, evaporators, pasteurizers, and crystallizers indicate their level of automation. This ranges from manual operation to fully automated. Automated systems help streamline production and improve consistency.

Maintenance of ghee production machinery is critical so it can run smoothly and produce ghee of high quality. Here are some tips for maintaining the different types of ghee production equipment.

• Regular Cleaning: All pieces of ghee equipment need to be cleaned regularly. This helps prevents milk fat deposits or residues that could impact the taste of the ghee. It also curbs contamination, more so from bacteria.
• Sanitization: This is especially important for equipment that comes in contact with food, like evaporators or clarifiers. Regular sanitization helps mitigate food safety risks in the final product.
• Lubrication: Ghee production equipment with motors or moving parts needs to be lubricated often. This ensures smooth movement of parts, reduces wear and tear, and minimizes noise during operation.
• Routine Inspections: Regular checks can help detect damages or parts in need of repair. Look for signs of damage, leaks, clogs, or unusual sounds that indicate faults in the equipment. These should be fixed as soon as they are detected to prevent more significant damage to the machinery.
• Calibration: Some ghee production machines have automated functions that measure pressure, temperature, and other critical factors for the desired functioning of the machine. These include pasteurizers, homogenizers, and evaporators. The machines should be calibrated frequently so that the settings are accurate. This helps achieve consistent product quality.
• Replacement of Parts: Parts that face a lot of wear, like conveyor belts, seals, and gaskets, should be replaced when they wear out. This ensures that there is smooth operation, product quality is maintained, and safety hazards are mitigated.

Scenarios of ghee production equipment

Industrial-scale ghee-making machines offer several usage scenarios for both commercial producers and those involved in the larger food production sector.

• Mass-produced ghee for supply chains:

Large-scale automated systems allow for the mass production of ghee, the best butter oil, in a region. The final output can be used as a key ingredient in many food products, including baked goods, snacks, and sauces. Ghee as an ingredient enhances flavors, meaning products with ghee in them can fetch higher prices compared to products that do not have ghee as an ingredient.

• Diverse product lines:

With large-scale production equipment, one can easily make different types of ghee, such as regular ghee, organic ghee, and flavored ghee. Due to large-scale production and efficient automation, products with diverse taste and quality can be offered to customers without significant changes to the production process.

• Export opportunities:

Large-scale automated ghee production systems boost one's ability to produce ghee, offering one greater export opportunities in the international market. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as those in Europe, North America, South America, and Australia, are higher consumers of ghee and are willing to explore new suppliers to import the product.

• Private-label partnerships:

Contract production is possible with large-scale ghee production equipment. One can produce ghee according to private-label brands' exact recipes and specifications. The partnering brands could be supermarkets, retailers, or online marketplaces. These brands usually want to offer their own branded products to their customers. Therefore, they will be looking for a third-party manufacturer to work with, one that has the capacity to produce their desired product with the desired ingredient. The ghee producer can label and package the ghee according to the customer's requirements, meaning the customer will have a large-scale production of their desired product with their desired flavor for their end users with little hassle on their part.

How to Choose Ghee Production Equipment

When buying ghee-making equipment, buyers should evaluate the following features:

• Production capacity: Choose the production capacity based on demand. Small-scale burners or boilers can produce 20 to 250 liters of ghee per batch, while large-scale industrial boilers have a capacity of over 1,000 liters per batch.
• Heating source: The main heating sources for ghee production equipment are electricity, steam, natural gas or firewood. The choice of heating source will depend on location, cost and available infrastructure.
• Oxidation Control: Look for features that control oxidation. For example, some advanced closed ghee production systems have vacuum chambers or nitrogen flushing facilities that reduce oxidation during the heating process.
• Hygiene standards: Make sure that the equipment meets the sanitary standards and has features that make cleaning easy. Look for smooth surfaces, removable parts and efficient cleaning systems, etc.
• Automation and control: Some production equipment has automated controls that regulate temperature, time and other parameters. This system has alarm systems that avoid errors during production. A fully automated machine helps to reduce the need for labor. It also improves the accuracy and consistency of the end product.
• Vessel Material: Choose stainless steel (SUS) kettles for making ghee, as they resist rust and are easy to sanitize. Steel kettles, though strong, usually have a shorter lifespan than stainless steel ones. Also, consider the kettle's thickness, as thicker walls distribute heat better and lessen temperature fluctuations during cooking.

FAQ

Q1: What are the trends in the global ghee production equipment market?

A1: The global ghee market is booming due to the rising popularity of organic and lactose-free products. As a result, sophisticated ghee production equipment is increasingly being adopted for the large-scale production of high-quality ghee products. Furthermore, the advancement of automation technology in ghee production equipment is resulting in improved production efficiency and product consistency.

Q2: How can proper maintenance of ghee production equipment improve its service life?

A2: Regular maintenance of ghee production equipment, such as routine inspections, timely repairs, and appropriate cleaning and sanitizing, can avoid potential mechanical failures and safety hazards. Additionally, proper maintenance can optimize the performance of the equipment, enhance production efficiency, and ensure product quality, thus extending the service life of the equipment.

Q3: What customization services do many ghee production equipment suppliers offer?

A3: Many ghee production equipment suppliers provide customization services. They can design and manufacture the equipment according to the specific requirements of clients, such as special functions, particular sizes, and additional configurations. Moreover, the suppliers also offer theCustomization of production processes and formulae, which can assist clients in better catering to their target markets and consumer needs.