Pre-Cooling Equipment Manufacturing Division
FMG provides cost-effective solutions to your pre-cooling and cooling needs by offering a variety of state-of-the-art products and systems, from vacuum tubes, ice injectors, ice generators and hydrocoolers to cutting-edge ice storage units. These products can increase your productivity by 100%.
We have based our reputation on providing these fast, yet economical cooling products that continually ensure excellent arrivals, long shelf life, satisfied customers, and increased profits for the produce industry. At the same time, we make it our top priority to comply with food safety regulations.
FMG’s Full-Service Approach
WE ARE YOUR SINGLE-SOURCE SOLUTION FOR PRE-COOLING EQUIPMENT NEEDS.
Innovate & Design
We specialize in improving our customer’s efficiencies and capabilities through the design and fabrication of custom pre-cooling equipment. Our innovative capabilities are based on today’s advanced technology in the ag industry.
Engineer & Manufacture
FMG’s specialized team of engineers and manufacturers have a proven track record of providing the highest level of expertise to help our customers increase the value of their business by preserving product quality.
Sell & Support
FMG’s custom pre-cooling equipment is sold to clients in the ag industry and distributed nationwide.
Pre-Cooling Methods
Hydro-Cooling
Hydro-cooling is a method of pre-cooling that involves using our FMG Hydro-Cooler to rapidly submerge the produce in chilling water and then shower the product in cold water to remove field heat. Hydro-cooling is very fast, but limited by the temperature to which you can cool produce. Without additives, water can’t be cooled below 32°F (0°C). Therefore, this method is ineffective for cooling down to 31°F or below. One of the main advantages of hydro-cooling is that it helps the produce retain moisture and stay hydrated, which may even revive slightly wilted produce.
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THE HYDRO-COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR ARTICHOKES, ASPARAGUS, AVOCADOS, BEANS (GREEN), BEETS, BERRIES, BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CABBAGE, CANTALOUPES, CARROTS, CAULIFLOWER, CELERY, CHERRIES, CUCUMBERS, ENDIVE, GREEN ONIONS (SOME TYPES), KALE, KOHLRABI, LEAF LETTUCE, LEEKS, NECTARINES, PARSLEY, PARSNIPS, PEACHES, RADISHES, ROMAINE LETTUCE, RHUBARB, RUTABAGAS, SPINACH, SWEET CORN, TURNIPS, AND WATERCRESS.
Vacuum Cooling
The process of vacuum cooling is the rapid refrigeration of a porous product through moisture removal. The heat is removed very rapidly, allowing for earlier shipping and a fresher product. The vacuum cooling method is performed with our FMG Vacuum Tube. The pallets containing the product are loaded into a vacuum tight chamber and the process begins. The equipment drops the pressure inside the vessel by removing air through vacuum pumps. Once the level of vacuum reaches the “flash point” moisture and heat are removed from the product in the form of water vapor. The lower the pressure inside the chamber, the lower the boiling point of water. As the vacuum goes deeper, more water vapor is removed and the product temperature is reduced until the desired temperature is achieved.
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THE VACUUM COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR BOK CHOY, CABBAGE, CAULIFLOWER, CHINESE CABBAGE, CHARD, CILANTRO, COLLARDS, CRISPHEAD LETTUCE, ENDIVE, ESCAROLE, LEAF LETTUCE, LEEKS, MUSHROOMS, PARSLEY, AND SPINACH.
Hydrovac Cooling
Hydrovac cooling is a combination of vacuum cooling and hydro-cooling. Just prior to the “flash point” when the water evaporates from the produce, additional cold water is added. This replenishes moisture lost during vacuum cooling, which helps prevent dehydration and a loss of water weight.
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THE HYDROVAC COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR CELERY AND MANY OTHER LEAFY VEGETABLES.
Ice Cooling
Ice cooling is the method of using our FMG Ice Injector to mix ice and water into an ice slurry mix that is “injected” into the product packaging (closed cartons) and cooled by direct contact. When injected into a box of produce this ice slurry mix surrounds the produce within, filling any open spaces. The water then drains through holes in the box leaving behind instantly cooled produce blanketed in snow.
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THE ICE COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR ASPARAGUS, BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CARROTS, KALE, KOHLRABI, LEAFY VEGETABLES, LEEKS, MELONS, ONIONS (GREEN), PARSLEY, PARSNIPS, RADISHES, RUTABAGAS, AND SWEET CORN.
Forced Air Cooling
Forced Air Cooling is the process of quickly removing heat from product by creating a pressure differential across the product. The product, usually stacked on pallets, is placed in rows and sealed to control the flow of cold air through the product, rather than around it. This cooling method uses fans designed to circulate, or force, cool air throughout the produce. By pulling the air through the produce rather than pushing it past the produce, this helps minimize associated dehydration. Nevertheless, forced air cooling often requires close monitoring and a humidifying system to prevent dehydration. Good airflow is essential for forced-air cooling and thus the produce must not be too closely packed together.
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THE FORCED AIR COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR APPLES, APRICOTS, AVOCADOS, BEANS (GREEN, WAX), BELL PEPPERS, BERRIES, BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, CABBAGE, CARROTS, CANTALOUPE, CAULIFLOWER, CELERY, CHILI PEPPERS, CUCUMBERS, FIGS, GRAPES (TABLE), HONEYDEW, KIWIFRUIT, KOHLRABI, LEAF LETTUCE, MUSHROOMS, NECTARINES, OLIVES, PEACHES, PEAS, PEARS, PEPPERS, PLUMS, POTATOES, RHUBARB, ROMAINE LETTUCE, SPINACH, SQUASH, SWISS CHARD, AND TOMATOES.
Room Cooling
With the Room Cooling method, the produce to be cooled is simply placed in a refrigerated room such as a cooler and allowed to naturally acclimate to ambient temperatures. However, modern coolers are carefully designed to closely regulate temperatures, airflow, humidity and often a host of other environmental factors that give the produce their best chance at maximum preservation and shelf life. Room cooling is most effective for produce that does not need to rapidly reach its minimum cooling temperature or which has already been pre-cooled using another method.
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THE ROOM COOLING METHOD CAN BE USED FOR APPLES, ARTICHOKES, BEETS, CABBAGE, ONIONS, PEACHES, PEARS, POTATOES, AND PUMPKINS.
Contact Us
Please feel free to submit a message and our team will be back in touch with you immediately.
For more information or to set up a consultation with our FMG team, please contact us below via phone or email.
Salinas Home Office:
1020 Merrill St., Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 417-1200
info@fmgsolution.com
Yuma Office:
Pre-Cooling Equipment Manufacturing Division
14280 S Avenue 3 East, Yuma, AZ 85365
(928) 726-2639