Have a Blast, Chilling this Christmas!

Christmas is a notoriously busy period for kitchens, both domestic and commercial. Whereas domestic kitchens have the privilege of preparing and cooking the perfect amount of food for a pre-determined number of guests, professional kitchens often battle with high demand and increased food waste, not to mention higher expectations.

Blast chilling is a vital operation for food businesses all year round to guarantee optimum food safety without any compromise on quality however at Christmas this practice is all the more important. With a steady flow of Christmas patrons and celebrations comprised of larger than average parties, the kitchen can become inundated with orders. There is at least one story every year where some form of festive food poisoning has occurred in a restaurant or pub either through rushed cooking, insufficient storage or dishes being left to sit at room temperature for long periods of time. Blast chilling can protect your business and reputation throughout the festive season and guarantee that your kitchen always serves perfection.

What is Blast Chilling - The Basics?

Blast chilling is a method to quickly cool food to a low temperature, minimising the risk and opportunity for harmful bacteria to grow. Bacteria multiply fastest between 8˚C and 68˚C: this is often referred to as the food danger zone. Reducing the amount of time spent in this range can substantially improve food safety. Blast chillers are designed to quickly pull down the core temperatures of cooked foods from around 70˚C to 3˚C or below within 90 minutes.

Equipping your kitchen with a quality blast chiller allows chefs to safely chill or freeze ingredients, pre-prepared dishes or leftovers ready for use at a later time. This not only reduces food waste but also maximises food safety; ideal when increased Christmas custom flocks through your doors.

FFD Top 3 Blast Chillers & Freezers

Nothing should be more important to a food service business than food safety. With this in mind, the FFD team have put together their top 3 blast chillers and/or freezers.

1. 1. The FFD sales team recommend the Foster BCT52 Blast Chiller & Freezer; a great quality, premium piece of equipment from one of the market leaders. These units optimise performance, achieve ultimate results and maximise food safety. Foster also offers a 12 month 0% interest-free credit option so that you can benefit from excellence whilst spreading the cost.
      [product sku="BCT52-26"]
   2. Also a popular option, the Tefcold BLC10 Blast Chiller & Freezer is a great mid-range option for businesses that demand performance, efficiency and food safety and all for the right price.
      [product sku="BLC10"]
   3. For those that want more versatility than the standard chiller and freezer cabinet, Adande is the ideal solution. Combining premium refrigerated drawer storage with an in-built blast chilling function, the Adande VCS2 Prep Counter with Blast Chiller is a great all-rounder and can function superbly in a number of roles. Not only do you receive large capacity, two drawer storage which can operate at fridge and freezer temperatures, but also the added versatility of blast chilling operations. The solid worktop can be used as extra food preparation area during busy periods or as a base on which to place cooking equipment.
      [product sku="_VCS2/BC"]

For more information and top tips about investing in the right blast chiller take a look at our In-Depth Blast Chiller and Freezer Buying Guide and make sure you make the right decision when it comes to food safety in your business.

Make sure your kitchen is prepared this Christmas with blast chilling equipment that not only reduces food waste and therefore lost profit but also guarantees high levels of food safety that will ensure your business satisfies each and every time.