Each customer defines quality differently, but the typical requirements are good color, appealing surface appearance (no cracking or blistering), and shelf-stable water activity values. During the drying cycle, all of these characteristics will be affected by a combination of temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and dwell time in addition to the properties of the product, such as physical shape, ingredients, and how the product is supported (racks, trays, etc.).
The temperature has a significant influence on both water removal rate and product quality, and many products will not do well at temperatures above 150 F, so precise control of temperature in the range of 80 to 150 F is critical. The heat pump that is used with the Nyle Dehydrator not only provides this control but also condenses and collects water that is removed during the drying cycle and consumes about half of the energy when compared to a conventional gas-fired system. In addition to providing the optimal conditions for processing jerky and other products, heat pump dehydration systems do not require any fossil fuels to operate, thereby eliminating carbon emissions.
Uniform air movement and control of relative humidity will also affect drying times and product quality, and Nyle Dehydrators provide control of both using a PLC with a touch screen that may be accessed remotely using a phone, tablet, or computer.
Care must also be taken to load the product in the drying chamber in a way that exposes the most surface area of each individual piece of product. For example, pieces that are stacked on top of one another or large, densely packed racks of hanging products may impede the drying process resulting in wet spots or uneven treatment.
Call us today, or visit us in Booth 921 at the Pet Food Forum in Kansas City, May 1st through the 3rd, for a consultation about how to best dry your products.
Nyle Systems is a growing, innovative company that develops, manufactures, and sells heat pump-driven, energy-saving products for the food processing industry. At Nyle, our mission is to enable energy efficiency and the electrification of industrial and commercial processes, allowing our customers to transition toward a renewable, sustainable energy system.