5 Best Nugget Ice Makers of 2023
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1
Best Overall Nugget Ice Maker
Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
1
Best Overall Nugget Ice Maker
Frigidaire Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
Now 14% Off
$328 at Amazon
Credit: Frigidaire Gallery
Pros
- Matte finish resists fingerprints
- Intuitive control panel
- Easy-to-fill water tank
- Sturdy plastic drip tray
Cons
- No light to see inside ice bin
- Produced uneven jagged ice pieces
This compact, matte-finish model from Frigidaire Gallery aced our tests. Not only does it produce lots of nugget ice, but it received top marks for ease of use as well. We appreciate that you can pull the water tank out for quick filling and that a sturdy plastic drip tray slides into place below the main unit to prevent accidental dribbles on your countertop. It features an intuitive touch control panel and a self-cleaning mode.
In our tests, it took three hours to fill the entire bin with 3.4 pounds of ice, and after 5 hours and 20 minutes and two full ice bins, the tank needed to be refilled.
In our tests, this model produced jagged pieces of ice that were the same size and easy to crunch. They were not the same uniform nugget shape that other, more expensive models produce, but we didn’t seem to notice the difference once the ice was added to a beverage. In fact, in the melting tests that we conducted, we found that this nugget ice maker’s ice melted at a slower rate than the higher-priced models that we tested.
| Item dimensions | 16.75″ x 11.75″ x 20.25″ |
|---|---|
| Ice bin capacity (according to testing) | 3.4 lbs |
| Water tank capacity (according to testing) | 14 cups |
| Water tank capacity (according to testing) | 28.5 lbs |
2
Best Value Nugget Ice Maker
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker
2
Best Value Nugget Ice Maker
EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker
Now 14% Off
$300 at Amazon
Credit: Euhomy
Pros
- Simply lift lid to scoop out ice
- Water line hook-up available
- Well reviewed on Amazon
Cons
- According to reviews, some find this ice maker noisy
- According to reviews, the user manual is difficult to understand
While we haven’t tested this nugget ice maker from Euhomy yet, we were impressed with its 780 five-star reviews on Amazon, with many people applauding the brand for its great customer service.
And at $350, it’s more affordable than other nugget ice makers on the market. This model comes with a water line hookup, but if you don’t have the capability, you can fill the water tank with up to 12 cups of water. According to the manufacturer, it takes up to 18 minutes for this model to produce its first batch of nugget ice, and it can produce up to 30 pounds of ice in a day.
A feature that we like about this nugget ice maker is that you simply lift the top lid to scoop the ice; there’s no need to pull out the ice bin like other models tested. (This seems noteworthy beause we found that pulling out the ice bin can drip some water onto your countertop.) Like all of the other models in this list, this unit features a self-clean mode, which is important for keeping the ice maker’s interior sanitary. Take note that some reviewers from Amazon commented that this pick is loud and that the user manual is a little confusing.
| Item dimensions | 17. 64″ x 9.69″ x 17″ |
|---|---|
| Ice bin capacity (according to manufacturer) | 3.3 lbs |
| Water tank capacity (according to manufacturer) | 12 cups |
| Daily ice production (according to manufacturer) | 30 lbs |
3
Best Compact Nugget Ice Maker
HiCOZY Dual-Mode Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
3
Best Compact Nugget Ice Maker
HiCOZY Dual-Mode Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
$400 at Amazon
Credit: HiCozy
Pros
- Water line hookup available
- Eco and Cycle modes
- Plastic ice scoop is sturdy
Cons
- Cannot turn off light
- Have to memorize button’s meanings or have key on hand
The HiCOZY Dual-Mode Countertop Nugget Ice Maker was the smallest — and also the quickest — nugget ice maker we tested. The ice bin was completely full after 70 minutes with 2.4 pounds of uniform nugget ice. Our consumer testers loved this model, too, saying: “It works so well and produces ice very quickly.
I love that it’s not bulky or ugly like other ice makers I’ve seen, so it’s perfect to have in my apartment.”
While we only tested this model utilizing its built-in water tank, it also comes with a water line hook-up. The square button on the front of the appliance lights up in a variety of colors and patterns depending on the ice maker’s current function, like cleaning, making ice or requiring a water refill. We recommend keeping the button’s key handy so you know which function your ice maker is in at all times.
A unique feature of this nugget ice maker is that it has two modes: A Cycle and Eco Mode, which you can select on the back of the appliance. The Eco mode will stop when the ice bin is full, while the Cycle mode lets the ice maker run continually to ensure you always have fresh ice on hand. This pick comes with a sturdy plastic ice scoop and plastic drip tray that’s ribbed to help with evaporation. When we were scooping ice, we appreciated the well-lit interior of the nugget ice basket — it also allows you to see the ice being produced — but we did wish you could turn off the bright blue light when not in use.
| Item dimensions | 14.2″ x 9.6″ x 16″ |
|---|---|
| Ice bin capacity (according to testing) | 2.4 lbs |
| Water tank capacity (according to testing) | 9 cups |
| Daily ice production (according to testing) | 46.9 lbs |
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4
Easiest to Use Nugget Ice Maker
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
4
Easiest to Use Nugget Ice Maker
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
$549 at Amazon$599 at Sur la Table$599 at Wayfair
Credit: GE Profile
Pros
- Three different options for ice bin light
- Small, distinct nugget shaped ice
- Capability for adding a side water tank
Cons
- Ice melted faster than any other model
- Water tank did not produce a second batch of ice without refilling
The sleek GE Profile Opal 2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker is similar to the Opal 1.
0, but it brings some ease-of-use additions. We appreciate how the touch control panel clearly displays what is happening with the ice maker (e.g. whether it needs to be refilled with water or is making ice). It can be paired with GE’s SmartHQ app to monitor the device status and schedule fresh ice. We also like that there are three options for light inside the ice bin: no light, low light and full light; it means you can see the ice when you want to but turn off the light source when you don’t.
In our tests, we found that the Opal 2.0 has the same distinct nugget-shaped ice as the 1.0, but it is smaller and crunchier. You do see some ridges around the sides of the nugget shape though, unlike with the 1.0. Since the ice is a lot smaller, it melted the quickest of the models we tested.
The first batch of 3.4 pounds of ice was produced in three hours. But this was the only model we tested that couldn’t produce a second batch of ice without a refill of the tank.
Our consumer tester also commented that the water tank is “a little small and a little awkward to get a full pitcher of water into it.” While the model we tested didn’t come with a reservoir, there is the option for you to add the additional capacity via a side tank, like the 1.0 version, if the small built-in water tank is an issue for you.
| Item dimensions | 17.5″ x 10.5″ x 16.5″ |
|---|---|
| Ice bin capacity (according to testing) | 3.4 lbs |
| Water tank capacity (according to testing) | 10 cups |
| Daily ice production (according to testing) | 27.5 lbs |
5
Best Nugget Ice Maker for Large Groups
GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker + Side Tank
5
Best Nugget Ice Maker for Large Groups
GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker + Side Tank
Now 18% Off
$449 at Walmart
Credit: GE Profile
Pros
- Largest ice bin capacity in testing
- Stayed frozen the longest in our single-cube test
- Very uniform nugget-shaped ice
Cons
- Small, thin plastic ice scoop
- Ice nuggets are larger and harder to crunch that other models’
- Have to memorize button’s meanings or have key on hand
The GE Profile Opal Countertop Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank is great for parties and for anyone who hates having to refill the water tank daily: It has the largest capacity for both ice bin (3.
75 pounds) and water tank (23 cups), and the side tank functions as a reservoir to replenish the main tank under the unit. It’s also available without the side tank for a slightly lower price.
The Opal 1.0 (we also like the 2.0 version; read on for details) comes in a stainless steel finish and features a glowing round button on the front that signals what’s going on with the appliance, whether it’s self-cleaning or producing new ice. We recommend reviewing the user manual to understand what each glow pattern means for the button.
This pick claims it makes ice in 20 minutes, but we found that was only a few ice cubes; the entire ice bin takes about four hours to fill. That ice, which was the most uniformly shaped nugget ice we yielded in our tests, was larger than that from the other ice makers. It was harder to crunch than the rest but still easier than a full-sized ice cube.
When it came to melting, this ice took the longest compared with any other model.
This ice maker comes with a sturdy drip tray and a plastic ice scoop that we felt was functional but a little small and thin.
| Item dimensions | 15.50″ x 14.25″ x 17.25″ |
|---|---|
| Ice bin capacity (according to testing) | 3.7 lbs |
| Water tank capacity (according to testing) | 23 cups |
| Daily ice production (according to testing) | 20 lbs |
How we test nugget ice makers
In our recent side-by-side test at the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we tested five nugget ice makers. We also asked a group of 10 consumer testers to evaluate how one of the nugget ice makers performed in their home.
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Jill Sollazzo
To replicate how a home consumer would use a nugget ice maker in our Lab, we filled each model with the maximum amount of water that its water tank could hold and let it run all day. We monitored the time it took for the ice bucket to become full, how much ice was yielded and the overall quality of the ice, in taste and appearance.
Jill Sollazzo
We performed two performance tests to determine how quickly each model’s ice melted: We made margaritas and evaluated the amount of ice remaining after 30 minutes, and let a single ice cube melt to determine which ice maker’s ice cubes lasted the longest.
Jill Sollazzo
To assess ease of use, we evaluated each model for how simple it was to use the instruction manual and control panel, and we noted the difficulty level of refilling the water tank and removing ice from the small appliance. We also noted the durability and performance of the ice scoop, drip tray and ice bin handle. The ice maker’s light and sound were also rated.
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What to look for when shopping for the best nugget ice maker
✔️ Water tank: While some nugget ice makers can be hooked up to a home water line (like our pick from HiCOZY), most nugget ice makers come with a water tank. Many models have the tank located below the ice bin; this can be harder to fill since you cannot take the tank out to refill and you need a narrow water pitcher to get all of the water into the tank.
Some, however, like our best overall pick, have a water tank that can be fully removed and taken to your sink for filling. If you want to fill your water tank less often, pick a model with the option to add a side tank for additional water storage (such as the GE Opal 1.0).
✔️ Ice daily production: Most of the ice makers that we tested had a daily production yield of around 20 pounds of ice. The average household will find that they have a sufficient amount of ice and that the daily ice limit won’t impact them too much. If you do need ice that is produced very quickly, we recommend the HiCOZY, which can make over 4o pounds of ice in day based on our testing data.
✔️ Ice removal: It is far less common for nugget ice makers to have ice dispensers like those you might find on a refrigerator. Most include a scoop you’ll use to manually remove the ice from the bin. Look for a sturdy scoop.
✔️ Features: The design and special features of nugget ice makers vary.
Some have interior lights that allow you to watch your ice dispense into the ice bin. Most models have drip trays, some of which are sturdy and lock into place, while others are flimsy and cannot collect much water at a time. A few models have smart capabilities that allow you to schedule your ice production remotely.
✔️ Ease of cleaning: Ice makers need to be cleaned often to prevent mold. Look for a nugget ice maker model with a self clean function, which will allow you to run fresh water throughout the entire system as often as you would like. All of our picks have this feature because we maintain that it’s a lot harder to clean your nugget ice maker manually.
What’s the difference between pebble ice and nugget ice?
Pebble ice and nugget ice are actually the same type of ice. It is a small, chewable ice shape that goes by multiple names, including Sonic ice and hospital ice.
Why do nugget ice makers cost so much?
To understand why a nugget ice maker costs so much, you have to understand how most nugget ice makers work.
Here is the process:
- Water gets pumped from the nugget ice maker’s water tank into a cold metal cylinder that’s located in the machine’s interior.
- Ice then forms on the walls of the cylinder and a spinning auger scrapes it off as ice chips.
- The ice chips are compressed and then pushed through small holes.
- Finally, a metal cone breaks the ice, creating nugget-shaped ice cubes that are dispensed into the ice bin.
The unique engineering and the fact that this type of ice maker can start producing ice cubes in as little as 20 minutes leads to a higher price tag.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
As a reviews analyst in the the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Eva Bleyer has tested a wide variety of kitchen appliances, tools and gear, including microwaves, blenders and more. She conducted the most recent side-by-side Lab and consumer testing of nugget ice makers, she also parsed through almost 100 datapoints to determine which nugget ice makers were the best picks for this story.
Eva earned a B.S. in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University and is a graduate of the Natural Gourmet Institute. She especially loves nugget ice in her iced lattes and cold brew coffee.
Eva Bleyer
Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Reviews Analyst
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
Opal Ice Maker: Soft, chewable ice at home
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Now you can serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice at home—pellet ice that’s ready fast and soaks up the flavor of your drink, unlike traditional hard cubes.
Get your own nugget ice machine for home today.
Quietest nugget ice maker among leading competitors.*
SHOP OPAL NUGGET ICE MAKERS
*Verified in an independent third party study among leading countertop ice maker competitors.
Opal Nugget Ice, The Good Ice.
Now you can serve up chewable, crunchable, craveable nugget ice at home—pellet ice that’s ready fast and soaks up the flavor of your drink, unlike traditional hard cubes. Get your own nugget ice machine for home today.
The quietest nugget ice maker among leading competitors.*
SHOP OPAL NUGGET ICE MAKERS
*Verified in an independent third party study among leading countertop ice maker competitors
Choose Your Countertop Opal Ice Maker
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We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, APO, or U.S. Territories. Need Help? Call 1-800-430-1757
GE Profile Opal 2.
0
Nugget Ice Maker with 1 Gallon XL Side Tank
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WiFi Enabled
1 Gallon Tank for Fewer Refills
WiFi Enabled
GE Profile Opal 2.0
Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank
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WiFi Enabled
WiFi Enabled
GE Profile Opal 2.0
Nugget Ice Maker
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WiFi Enabled
WiFi Enabled
NOTE: Side tank sold separately.
GE Profile Opal
Nugget Ice Maker with Side Tank
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GE Profile Opal
Nugget Ice Maker
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NOTE: Side tank sold separately.
GE Profile Opal
Nugget Ice Maker Cleaning Kit
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Don’t Take Our Word for It
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker – The Most Highly Rated Nugget Ice Maker*
“Amazing Ice Maker”
“Love the ice that you can only get at restaurants.
Was worried about the price but now I couldn’t live without it.”
– Fillwuller
“GREAT Pellet Ice Maker!”
“Love my Opal: fast, quiet, and efficient… how did I ever do without it??!”
– CubMan53
“Opal Ice Maker”
“We absolutely love our ice maker. We love Sonic Ice and this is as close as we can get and not have to leave home!”
– jackie923
“Love Our Machine!”
– towheadX2
SHOP ALL OPAL NUGGET ICE MAKERS
Read Reviews
* GE Appliances Opal 2.0 received the Evergreen Award from tech-enabled insights company 4Sight, for more than 1,400 reviews in less than one year- blowing past the category at a rate of nearly seven times the average.
The Best Ice for Entertaining & Every Day
Slow-melting nugget ice makes almost every drink better—enjoy it in cocktails, sodas, and more.
The pebble ice soaks up flavor and floats on top, making each sip and every crunch refreshing. Just think of all the delicious drinks you can make right in your own kitchen or bar with a pellet ice maker. Opal Nugget Ice Makers fit on your countertop and are the star of any party.
Home ice makers give every drink a restaurant-quality crunch with pellet ice – also known as pebble ice. Entertain in style with a home icemaker. It’s just like having your own sonic ice maker right on your countertop. A pebble ice maker will be fast favorite with family members and guests alike. Don’t know what to gift a friend? Try an ice maker for the home. Pebble ice machines can elevate every beverage and satisfy any ice-crunching cravings. Put a crushed ice maker machine in your kitchen and one on the bar. People love sonic ice in their drinks at parties and every day.
Fits on Your Countertop
With an elegant and compact design, the New GE Profile Opal 2.
0 measures at just 13.43″ (W) X 16.5″ (H) X 17.5″ (D) — the perfect size for your home countertop.
Sized to fit on your countertop
With an elegant and compact design, the New GE Profile Opal 2.0 measures at just 13.43″ W X 16.5″ H X 17.5″ D — the perfect size for your home countertop.
Produces a pound of ice per hour
The Opal produces 1 lb. of ice per hour and the bin holds 3 lb. at a time.
Voice Control
Smart Ice Makers
Schedule fresh nugget ice and monitor your icemaker’s status, all from your phone. Your choice of WiFi or Bluetooth models.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Built-In WiFi & Voice Control
Models: XPIO13SCSS, XPIO13BCBT, XPIO23SCSS, XPIO23BCBT
Download the SmartHQ app for GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker:
The Smartest Mixer in the USA*
MORE ABOUT GE PROFILE™ SMART MIXERS
*Sold in the USA.
Smart features include: WiFi connectivity, voice control, and OTA data sources. NPD, 52 weeks, ending July 31, 2021.
Small Appliances, BIG Ideas
Our family has gotten larger — with small appliances. Introducing a full suite of small appliances to make meal prep easier.
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Home ice makers give every drink a restaurant-quality crunch with pellet ice – also known as pebble ice. Entertain in style with a home icemaker. A pebble ice maker will be fast favorite with family members and guests alike. Don’t know what to gift a friend? Try an ice maker for the home. Pebble ice machines can elevate every beverage and satisfy any ice-crunch cravings.
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Top
Chicken Nugget Fish Nugget Former Machine Supplier – Price
Product Description: The chicken nugget molding machine releases the raw materials to the box through the screw, which helps to maintain the taste.
Through the template can be processed into a special shape of the product. For example, cartoon, red, digital, triangular, rectangular, round, heart-shaped shapes. Automatic completion of material filling, shaping, taking out and other processes. Potato forming machine and beef nugget equipment, and powder coating machine, grading machine, breading machine, fat machine, cooking machine, freezing machine, packaging machine, form a finished food line. And onion ring making machine and other equipment for making onion ring products.
Send InquiryNow Talk
Product Description
yu taste. Through the template can be processed into a special shape of the product. For example, cartoon, red, digital, triangular, rectangular, round, heart-shaped shapes. Automatic completion of material filling, shaping, taking out and other processes. Potato forming machine and beef nugget equipment, and powder coating machine, grading machine, breading machine, fat machine, cooking machine, freezing machine, packaging machine, form a finished food line.
And onion ring making machine and other equipment for making onion ring products.
2. Specifications
| 0031 | |
|
Capacity |
300-500 kg/h |
|
Stroke times |
|
|
Delivery volume bin |
210 L |
|
Power |
11.12KW |
|
Electricity |
380V/50Hz, 3P, 415V/220V, 3p 9003 1 |
|
Weight |
1420 KG |
|
Wall thickness |
6-30 mm |
|
maximum diameter |
150 mm (for round burgers) |
|
Overall size 9000 3 |
3300 × 900 × 2390 mm |
OTHER TYPE CHICKEN NUGGET MAKING MACHINE
|
Model |
CXJ-200 |
CXJ-300 |
CXJ-400 |
CXJ-600 |
|
outlet |
2100pcs/h |
100-300kg/h |
300-500kg/h |
500-1000kg/h 9000 8 |
|
STORKE TIMES |
0003 |
25-55times/min |
25-60times/min |
|
| 90 002 capacity |
30L |
120L |
210L |
|
|
power |
0. |
11.12KW |
15.12KW | |
|
Power supply |
380V/50HZ/3P, 415V/220V,3P |
380V/50HZ/3P P |
380V/50HZ/3P, 415V/220V,3P 7 380V/50HZ/3P, 415V/220V,3P |
|
|
weight |
1200KG |
1420KG |
1600kg |
|
|
|
8-15mm |
6-30mm |
003 |
6-40mm |
|
wide 00mm |
150mm |
150mm |
150mm |
|
|
size 900 31 |
715×600×1400mm |
3170×800×2150mm |
3 300×900×2390mm |
3300×1100×2390mm |
55KW 7.5KW 8
1st hydraulic system
Original: Japanese SMC
2nd pneumatic systems
Original: Japanese SMC
4.
Character
【Pneumatic components use FESTO original German
【The machine has water spray devices, easy to clean and change the pattern,
【Can produce whatever support the machine and you think.
Maximum dimension≦160mm.
【Electrical parts using world famous brands, such as ORMON, SIMEN PLC,
【Product weight is easily adjustable, product thickness：6-40mm,
【The hydraulic part is used world famous brand TAIWAN YOUYAN, VICKERS HAYDRAYLLIC original products.
【Replace the product conveniently, just replace the template,
【Machine of sanitation, safety and reliability. Easy to clean
【The machine is made of stainless steel and other food grade materials. In line with sanitary standards, in line with HACCP standards, easy to clean.
【The machine is designed with European safety electrical appliances.
5. raw materials: all kinds of meat, onions, vegetables and their mixed products.
etc.
Products: steak, fish burger, steak, fish fish cake, etc.
Flowchart : Raw material—mixing—shaping—beating—breading–frying—flash-freezing–packing.
Packing & Shipping
Our services
1. One years quality guarantee, the machine with main parts (excluding consumables)
should be changed free of charge if there is any problem during the warranty period.
Why choose us
Experienced staff ♥ Answer your questions in professional and English
0003
Danpo’s first fully automated chicken nugget production line installed
Danpo A/S, Denmark’s leader in ready-to-cook chicken products, has decided to build a fourth fully automatic line to produce its range of chicken nuggets under its “Your Chicken” brand. At the heart of the production line is the GEA MaxiFormer, which produces high quality nuggets in a fully automatic, highly efficient process with minimal labor input.
Company Profile
Danpo is part of Scandi Standard, Scandinavia’s largest chicken processor. The Group markets chilled, frozen and processed chicken. With 870 employees, Danpo opened its processing plant in Farr, South Jutland in 2000, which produces a wide range of fully cooked chicken products on four production lines.
“GEA helped us develop the production line machine by machine. I enjoy working with GEA. I can talk to people and they understand what I’m talking about.” Per Ulrik Jørgensen, Technical Product Manager
Call
Per Ulrik Jørgensen, Technical Product Manager at the Farr plant, has been with Danpo for over 30 years. He is responsible for product and process development. He explained that, working in a country with high labor costs, it was necessary to maximize the level of automation in the new plant. “High productivity with less labor is the way to develop new products in a country like Denmark,” he added.
But it was impossible to realize the desire to minimize labor costs and increase production at the expense of product quality.
As a seasoned chef, Per places great emphasis on food quality and he understands that the quality assurance his customers know and expect is often achieved through practical measures throughout the plant. “As we increase the throughput of the production line, we have to pay close attention to the state of the environment,” he says. “Whenever we choose new equipment, we must be sure that it will allow us to optimize the control of the production line and keep it clean and dry. It is very important that customers have confidence in the safety of our products.”
“Thanks to GEA, who supplies all the equipment for the production line, we know for sure that each element will be in exactly the right place and they will all be perfectly compatible.” Per Ulrik Jørgensen, Technical Product Manager
Exceptional performance
Products enter the new line after meat delivery, where they are processed by grinding, mixing, shaping, surface treatment, cooking, frying and freezing in one seamless, fully automatic process.
At the heart of the entire process is the GEA MaxiFormer molding machine, which is equipped with GEA’s unique step-by-step filling system that progressively fills each cavity to create the perfect shape. This, combined with a rigid drum design and a unique knockout system, reduces wastage, improves filling accuracy, creates a higher quality molded product with excellent shape retention, minimizes cleaning downtime and reduces energy consumption. “The step-fill feature means we can work the meat at a slightly higher temperature before shaping, which saves energy,” Per says. “For us, this is an important innovation for lean production.”
“Thanks to GEA, who supplies all the equipment for the production line, we know for sure that each element will be in exactly the right place and they will all be perfectly compatible,” Per adds. This was important for fast installation and reliability from the very beginning. “I love working with GEA,” he says. “I can talk to people and they understand what I’m talking about.