Method for frying products

Abstract

Method and device for frying products such as crisps in fat. The frying operation is carried out under vacuum conditions. After frying the crisps are centrifuged under vacuum as well. Centrifuging is realised by introducing the crisps from above in a rotating vacuum chamber. After centrifuging the crisps are directly discharged to a valve in the bottom of the vacuum charge to a sluice structure and are subsequently subjected to atmospheric pressure.

1 . Method for frying products, comprising the exposure of said products to heated fat at reduced pressure, comprising introduction of the products to be fried through an inlet sluice construction of a vacuum vessel, in which fat is present, frying such products and removing said products through an outlet sluice construction, wherein vapors, comprising water vapor, in said vessel are discharged by a vacuum pump from said vessel, wherein the discharge of vapors, the water vapor is condensed before entering in the vacuum pump.  
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein said water vapor is slightly compressed by simple fans and guided along a cooled surface.  
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein fat is removed from said products after exposure of said products to heated fat at reduced pressure, by introducing in the rotating chamber of a centrifuge and centrifuging in said centrifuge chamber at a reduced pressure and discharging the product from said centrifuge chamber through a bottom valve of the centrifuge, an inlet valve of a sluice chamber at the bottom of said centrifuge chamber and an outlet valve of said sluice chamber in the atmosphere, characterised in that, at the end of the centrifuge treatment at opened inlet valve, bottom valve is opened after which the inlet valve is closed and outlet valve is opened.  
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 3 , wherein the axis of centrifuging is about 30° relative to the vertical.  
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 3 , wherein during introduction of said product, said centrifuge chamber is rotated.  
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 3 , wherein at first removal of said product, said centrifuge chamber is rotating.  
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 3 , wherein said vacuum pump comprises a Roots type vacuum pump.  
   
   
       8 . Device for frying products such as slices in fat, comprising a vacuum vessel provided with a container for fat, supply means for said products, discharge means for said products, and removal means for water vapor, wherein a vacuum generating system is provided, comprising a section connected to said vacuum vessel having water condensation means.  
   
   
       9 . Device according to  claim 8 , wherein between said vacuum vessel and said water-condensing means pump means are provided to decrease the pressure in the vacuum vessel and increase the pressure at the condensing means.  
   
   
       10 . Device according to  claim 9 , comprising centrifuging means between said container means for fat and said discharge means, in a centrifuge chamber, having sluices for connecting with said vacuum vessel and the atmosphere, said centrifuge means being provided with an inlet near its top end, characterised in that, said centrifuge means are provided with an outlet at its lower end opening into a discharge from said centrifuge chamber.  
   
   
       11 . Device according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotational axis of said centrifuge means is arranged with an angle of 30° to the vertical.  
   
   
       12 . Device according to  claim 10 , wherein two centrifuge means are provided for alternate operation.