Dairy products are an indispensable part of the diet of every person. However, its wide selection in the market makes many think about the quality of the goods. Against this background, the demand for the products of private farmers, which produce not only milk, but also fermented baked milk, cheeses and cream from natural raw materials, is increasing. The greatest interest of true connoisseurs of high-quality milk is the technology with which you can perform its home processing. In particular, this allows you to make a household milk separator in various modifications and configurations. Today, manual models with a simple device and electrical devices that save the user from unnecessary labor are in demand.
Milk Separator Functions
The main objective of such units is the separation of milk and cream. The output, respectively, is a non-fat natural drink that is environmentally friendly. Even in subsistence farming there is a risk of getting contaminated milk. In turn, the separator cream separator household eliminates the product from various impurities and harmful elements. To save money, many farmers still use home-made strainers. Rural craftsmen improve such devices, but their technological level is still inferior to special separators.
The process of home milk processing is also relevant for those who regularly purchase store products. In this case, the cleaning process eliminates preservatives, thickeners, hardeners and various chemical dyes. As a result, the household milk separator provides a truly valuable and useful product. By the way, in the future, from the obtained raw materials, you can get sour cream, butter, buttermilk and high-quality whey.
Separator arrangement
Despite the variety of designs and sizes, the general principles for creating such devices remain the same. The base of the unit is a bowl, on which milk is fed. Next, the fluid enters through a tap into a special drum. In the process, it rotates, under the influence of which inertia is formed. As you move, the liquid is distributed on special plates - in them the process of separation and concentration of fat and cream occurs. Also, the separator device provides for the presence of jets in the upper part. Cream passes through it and is collected in a special receiver. At the same time, skim milk is separated - by the way, it is considered the heavier part of the product. Contaminants and unwanted particles formed during processing are deposited on the lid of the rotating drum. In the future, they should be thoroughly washed from the surfaces of the separator.
Manual separators
Such models of separators are most common due to the low price and, as many believe, high reliability. This is a mechanical unit, the cup of which the user spins with his own hand. As standard, the manual separator is equipped with a bowl whose capacity is 5.5 liters. Given the fact that the capacity of the apparatus is 80 liters per hour, it is necessary to pour milk every 4 minutes. For this reason, for ease of use, experts recommend purchasing devices with a large capacity. For example, today you can find models that can hold up to 12 liters at a time. But in this case, one should be prepared for another nuance. The fact is that hand models with large bowls are less mobile due to their large weight.
Another feature that you should be aware of when buying such models is the material of manufacture. In electrical devices, this choice is important only from the point of view of reliability, but a hand-held household milk separator may require a lot of effort during operation if its bowl is made of metal. Therefore, it is worth considering options made of plastic - such devices are more practical and convenient, although, again, they are not so durable.
Electric models
Until recently, only hand-held units were included in the category of household separators. Models equipped with electric motors were mainly used in factories and catering establishments. Today it will not be difficult to find a household separator for milk, powered by electricity. Actually, the main attention in the process of choosing such a technique should be given to its motor. In addition to the fact that the power plant must meet the requirements of performance, it is important to consider the means of protection against voltage surges. For this, manufacturers supply the devices with stabilization systems, which, however, increases their cost.
Also, in order to increase reliability and safety, electric models are supplied mainly with metal bowls. If financial resources are limited, then it is worth buying a more affordable plastic separator. The household cream separator in this design is not inferior in effectiveness to metal modifications, but the working life in this case will be lower.
Separator Operation Rules
First, consider the requirements for milk. Before separation, it should be filtered, heated and the film removed, if any. It is also not recommended to use colostrum - this is fresh milk, which was received within a week from the moment of calving. Next, the apparatus is installed in the working position and the drum starts. For the device to reach its operating parameters, it usually takes 2-3 minutes, after which 1 liter of water should be passed through the bowl. Then the household milk separator can be used for its intended purpose. Milk is poured to the specified level. As you process, you should monitor the output of the product from the tap. First, cream will be separated, and then skim milk will be delivered to the appropriate receiver. It is important to take care of the container in advance to discharge the resulting products.
Separator Maintenance
Before and after performing work operations, the unit should be washed with hot water and soda solution. In the process of washing, it is not recommended to use strong cleaning agents, as well as abrasives and metal sponges. This may damage the protective coatings of the bowl and auxiliary utensils of the device. You should also regularly check the reliability of fastening the drum and cymbals. Usually these elements are disassembled, so there will be no problems with the technical audit.
How much is?
The cost of such an aggregate is generally comparable with the prices of other types of home kitchen appliances. The cheapest is a mechanical household separator. The price of such equipment may be 2-3 thousand rubles. Of course, if you choose a model with high performance and made of metal, then you can meet options for 5-6 thousand rubles. At this level, prices for electric models will start. But their upper range can reach 10 thousand rubles. The fact is that separators with a motor are more functional and can provide many additional options and capabilities, which, in turn, increases the cost of devices.
Separator Reviews
Most of the negative reviews about separators are related to problems in the operation of dishes. Especially plastic bowls are the most difficult to clean. But metal analogues have their drawbacks. For example, experienced farmers are most questioned by the aluminum separator. Reviews note that the milk obtained with its help is endowed with an unpleasant aftertaste. Therefore, it is better to purchase models made of stainless steel or polycarbonate. In terms of reliability and strength, the least complaints are caused by manual units, but, subject to high-quality assembly and a powerful motor, electrical devices do not fail.
Conclusion
Modern kitchen facilities, even in small apartments, require the availability of many appliances for the preparation and maintenance of various products. Therefore, before including new equipment in the list of household utensils, many housewives carefully weigh its pros and cons. However, the benefits that the household milk separator brings are hard to overestimate. Milk processing technology itself is quite old, but the need for it is undeniable. Obtaining a quality product in the form of oil, fermented baked milk and skim milk is only part of the advantages that a separator has. Another thing is that before its acquisition it is necessary to determine the optimal characteristics for performing specific tasks. And there will be no problems with this, as modern manufacturers produce models both for modest private needs and for working on large farmsteads.