Not all of us in our lives have come across a rotary kiln. Nevertheless, what we make in it, we use every day. The fact is that in such devices bakery products are baked, and it is rather difficult to underestimate their importance. This equipment is professional, so the price is considerable. However, in return, it becomes possible to obtain high-quality, uniformly baked bread or confectionery. Let's talk in more detail about what a rotary kiln is.
General information
You probably noticed that in supermarkets and stores there are bakery products for every taste. They are made from various grades of flour, and the most unusual forms are used. However, much depends not only on the raw materials, but also on the equipment in which these raw materials acquired their final form. Of course, it is worth paying your attention to the fact that today there are a huge number of furnaces: convection, tunnel, steam convection and others. All of them differ in design and price. We in this article will talk about what a rotary kiln is. It cannot be said that such equipment is the most profitable and efficient, but it is used quite often, so it makes sense to consider it.
Principle of operation
First of all, I would like to talk about how exactly this furnace works and what are its key differences from other types. It is based on the principle of product rotation in the chamber. This is achieved by using a special multi-level trolley. Each level is filled with blanks that are evenly distributed over the space of the cart. The latter rotates around its axis. It is noteworthy that modern rotary kilns allow you to adjust the temperature inside the chamber, as well as the speed of rotation of the cart. It is necessary for various grades of bread and pastries. Something is suitable at low temperatures at high speeds, other bakery products - on the contrary. Even baking is ensured by the intense supply of hot air. For this, fans are installed, and for heating the air - heating elements. In all models the working chamber is made of stainless steel. It is noteworthy that rotary baking ovens are prepared much faster than other types of devices. This is achieved by intensive blowing with hot flows and rotation of the workpieces in the chamber.
Rotational convection oven: chamber dimensions and design features
Currently available on sale furnaces with various shapes of the working chamber. The most popular are two versions: quadrangular and octagonal. The first type is found most often, since such stoves appeared first and are considered a kind of classic of the genre. They are easy to operate and have a more affordable price. But using the octagonal shape of the camera can improve the technology. In particular, this relates to the speed and quality of baking. But, most likely, if you give the consumer two loaves of bread made in different chambers, then he is unlikely to find any differences. As for the dimensions, the dimensions of the camera are often made to order. Often, the consumer does not start from the working chamber, but from the dimensions of the trolley. Performance largely depends on its spaciousness. For example, some rotary baking ovens allow you to use several carts at once. The number of installed trays is indicated in the specification.
About facing and thermal insulation
It is imperative to understand that the oven will be used daily to make food. That is why it is preferable to use stainless anti-corrosion steel. Moreover, any surface in contact with the product must be stainless. This helps to increase the life of the baking sheets, as well as the trolley and the working chamber. The lateral as well as the rear surfaces are often made of heat-resistant steel, since they account for the highest temperature. True, an increased percentage of humidity, as well as periodic mechanical stresses on painted panels, cause the paint to crumble. For this reason, the performance of steel deteriorates and heat loss increases. That is why it makes sense to purchase a furnace with thermal insulation. The thickness of the insulation can be obtained from the company manufacturing the equipment.
Steam humidification in a rotary kiln
The first furnaces of this type did not have this function. For this simple reason, sometimes bakery or confectionery products turned out to be somewhat overdried. But today, to obtain a crispy and rosy, but not hard crust, steam humidification is used. This function is especially relevant for the preparation of confectionery products for which drying is unacceptable. The program will automatically maintain the microclimate in the working chamber.
On all sides such a rotary kiln is good. Price - this is its only significant drawback (from about 300,000 rubles and above). In addition, steam generators do not tolerate the use of water with various mechanical impurities, in particular, hard water is detrimental , so the use of humidifier filters will also be required. Do you need such a function or not? Here it is necessary to make a decision depending on the assortment of pastries. For the simplest products, it is not required.
Rotary electric furnace: the principle of operation of the trolley
The device that drives the trolley with the workpieces into rotation is a hook. It is started by an electric motor, which is located in the upper part of the furnace. Most trolleys have wheels. This makes it easier to install and remove them. During rotation, the wheels abut against the bottom and rotate with the trolley.
Nowadays, manufacturers are increasingly offering a rotating surface. In this design, the wheels remain stationary. This solution is only suitable for large volumes of work at high load carts. This is due to the fact that constantly rotating wheels will wear out and break down intensively. Ultimately, this will lead to downtime and, consequently, to losses. With small downloads, such a platform is not needed, especially since it costs a lot.
Oven control
Currently, two main types of control are used: electromechanical and electronic. The first species is much more known to many. Such management is very reliable, simple and understandable to everyone. However, there is no possibility of fine adjustment. For example, modern rotary kilns have such technical characteristics that allow cooking with an accuracy of 1 degree. In this case, electromechanical control is not preferred. Electronics is much more accurate, and more popular. This type of control is equipped with many sensors that allow you to fully control the process. The operator can change humidity, temperature, fan speed and much more. This type of control is vulnerable to temperature extremes and high humidity, so protective equipment, special sensors and alarms are installed.
Power consumption
Considering the technical characteristics, one cannot but mention such an important parameter as power. It is immediately worth noting that this equipment is considered professional and usually has high performance, so the energy consumption is also large. But power depends on the dimensions of the product, as well as the availability of additional equipment. For example, hoods, steam generators, and also rotating floors significantly increase this figure. It is also worth noting that gas rotary furnaces with a capacity of up to 60 kW require installation permits, as well as heating equipment. By the way, this parameter of power consumption is the largest for such furnaces. However, electrical options for 95 kW or more are also available. Such furnaces can accommodate 2 carts with a sheet size of 800 x 1200 mm, and the temperature in the chamber reaches 300 degrees Celsius.
Consumer Reviews
Even large restaurants consult with specialists before purchasing stoves. It often happens that equipment from a renowned manufacturer is not suitable for a number of reasons. For example, some stoves may simply not go through the doorway. But this problem is solved with electrical equipment, which is collapsible, the situation is different with gas stoves. A large number of positive feedback has a rotational oven "Monsoon-Rotor" of a new generation (77M). Specifications, according to consumers, are truly unique. Here, and adjusting programs during operation, and the ability to use 10-step programs, and high durability of bearing assemblies, and much more.
Conclusion
Many consumers recommend paying attention to the domestic company Voskhod. Rotary kilns from this manufacturer are very good. By the way, it is this manufacturer that makes the famous ovens of the Monsoon-Rotor model range. The technical characteristics of the equipment satisfy the needs of any bakery. The range includes furnaces with power from 30 kW to 97 kW. The temperature in the chamber is adjustable, and the production volume can reach 2.5 tons per shift and higher. Of course, choosing one or another model, you should be guided by your needs and the range of manufactured products. Sometimes it’s better to buy a small furnace of medium power with limited functionality and use it to the full, rather than expensive high-performance and use it only 50%.