Continuous Tunnel Steaming Machine for Food Processing

Tunnel Steaming Machine Product Overview

The Continuous Tunnel Steaming Machine for Food Processing provides an automated solution for continuous steam cooking and thermal treatment in industrial food production lines.

Unlike batch steam cabinets, products are continuously fed onto a stainless steel mesh conveyor and transported through an enclosed steaming tunnel. Saturated steam is introduced into the chamber and distributed around the product from multiple directions, providing efficient heat transfer throughout the processing section.

Both the steam temperature and conveyor speed can be adjusted according to the product and required treatment time. This allows the machine to accommodate different food materials, product sizes, loading depths, and processing objectives.

How Does the Tunnel Steaming Machine Work?

1. Continuous Product Feeding
Prepared food materials are distributed evenly across the stainless steel mesh conveyor.Consistent product distribution is important because excessive loading depth can influence steam penetration and heating uniformity.

2. Conveyor Transport
The conveyor continuously moves products into the enclosed steaming tunnel.The running speed is adjustable, allowing the residence time inside the steam chamber to be changed according to the required cooking or thermal treatment process.

3. Saturated Steam Heating
Steam enters the processing chamber and surrounds the food products.As steam contacts the cooler product surfaces, condensation transfers thermal energy rapidly to the food.

4. Multi-Directional Steam Distribution
Steam is distributed from multiple directions inside the tunnel to improve contact with products across the conveyor.This helps provide more consistent thermal processing compared with localized steam injection.

5. Temperature and Time Control
The reference equipment operates at an adjustable temperature of approximately 80–100°C. Conveyor speed can also be adjusted to control residence time.

Key Features

Continuous Industrial Processing
The conveyor-based design allows food to move continuously through the steaming chamber, making the system suitable for automated and high-volume food processing lines.

Saturated Steam Heating
Saturated steam provides rapid heat transfer without immersing the product directly in water.

Adjustable Processing Temperature
The reference operating range is approximately 80–100°C, adjustable according to different food products and process requirements.

Variable Conveyor Speed
Adjustable conveyor speed provides control over the product residence time inside the steaming chamber.

Multi-Directional Steam Distribution
Steam is introduced from multiple directions to improve thermal contact and heating uniformity.

SUS304 Stainless Steel Construction
The reference machine is manufactured from SUS304 stainless steel, suitable for industrial food-processing environments.

Stainless Steel Mesh Conveyor
Different SUS304 mesh belt configurations can be selected according to product dimensions and characteristics.

Steam Flow Control
Manual and automatic steam valves can be configured to regulate steam flow according to different processing requirements.

Technical Specifications

 

Tunnel Steamer for Noodle and Wheat Food Processing

The machine can also be incorporated into industrial production lines for noodles and other wheat-based foods.Products can be distributed continuously on the conveyor and transported through the steam chamber for controlled thermal processing.

This type of continuous steaming system can be useful for:

• Noodles
• Wheat-based products
• Selected dough products
• Other steam-cooked cereal products

For noodle applications, important process variables include:

• Noodle diameter
• Product moisture
• Conveyor loading
• Product arrangement
• Steam temperature
• Steam flow
• Conveyor speed
• Required degree of cooking

Your previously prepared image showing long noodles distributed over the blue processing conveyor is particularly suitable for this application section.

Suitable Food Products

The continuous tunnel steaming machine can be configured for a broad range of products.

Fruit and Vegetables
Suitable for steam treatment, pre-cooking, and enzyme inactivation of selected fruits and vegetables.

Noodles and Wheat Foods
Suitable for continuous steam processing of noodles and other wheat-based products.

Meat Products
Suitable for cooking, heat setting, and forming of selected meat products.

Seafood
Can be used for continuous steaming of suitable fish and seafood products.

Pet Food
Suitable for meat strips, formed meat products, minced meat, and selected pet treats.

Herbal Materials
The reference manufacturer also lists Chinese herbal materials among possible applications.

Main Advantages

Continuous Production
Supports uninterrupted feeding and discharge for industrial processing lines.

Flexible Process Adjustment
Both temperature and conveyor speed can be adjusted for different products.

Broad Food Application
Can process vegetables, noodles, meat, seafood, pet food, and other suitable products.

Rapid Steam Heat Transfer
Saturated steam provides efficient moist-heat transfer to food surfaces.

Production Line Compatibility
The machine can operate between upstream preparation equipment and downstream cooling or packaging systems.

Stainless Steel Construction
SUS304 construction provides durable surfaces suitable for routine food-processing sanitation.

Convenient Maintenance
Opening covers, accessible conveyor sections, drainage, and stainless steel surfaces facilitate inspection and routine cleaning.

FAQ

What is a tunnel steaming machine?
A tunnel steaming machine is a continuous food-processing system that transports products through an enclosed steam chamber on a conveyor while steam provides controlled thermal treatment.

What is the capacity?
The reference configuration provides approximately 800–1500 kg/h, with customized capacities available.

What is the operating temperature?
The reference operating temperature is 80–100°C and adjustable.

What is the machine made of?
The reference configuration uses SUS304 stainless steel.

What heating source does it use?
The machine uses steam as the heating source.

Can the conveyor speed be adjusted?
Yes. The running speed is adjustable so the processing time can be adapted to different products.

Can it process vegetables?
Yes. It can be used for thermal treatment and enzyme inactivation of suitable vegetable products.

Can it process noodles?
Yes. Wheat foods are included among the reference applications, making the equipment suitable for appropriately configured continuous noodle and wheat-food steaming processes.

 

Contact us to get your quotation now.

Get in touch with our engineering team.