PPM Technologies, a member of Duravant's Food Sorting and Handling group, has introduced its new BatchWrigh frying system for kettle-style potato chips and other root vegetable snacks. BatchWright can produce uniform, premium-quality products at rates up to 650 pounds (295 kg) per hour while offering precise temperature control over the frying curve, the company says.

“Kettle chip processors need perfect control over their frying temperature curve to achieve the distinctive crunch consumers expect,” says Daniel Luna, director of processing at PPM Technologies. “Our new BatchWright fryer allows customers to manage exact oil temperatures throughout the cooking cycle, including a sharp initial drop when product enters the oil, followed by a stable plateau and then a gradual rise. This level of control helps processors achieve the ideal product texture, color and quality across every batch.”

Available in two sizes, BatchWright is designed for kettle-style chips made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and other root vegetables. Its immersion tube heating system is equipped with a fully modulating burner that aims to enable processors to customize and replicate exact frying curves while achieving up to 85% fuel efficiency. BatchWright’s Stir Assist system gently agitates chips during frying to prevent clumping and ensure uniform cooking, the company says. The non-stick coated stir arms are mounted on an overhead trolley to prevent derailment during operation.

BatchWright can operate in a hood-down position to minimize oil splashing, increase operator safety, and limit the need for replacement ventilation air, PPM says. This hood-down design also aims for a smaller fire suppression system and improves exhaust efficiency.

To preserve oil quality and extend product shelf life, BatchWright features a patent-pending lifting drum filter and is available with optional secondary filtration such as centrifugal or pressure filters. The continuous sediment removal system helps facilitate 24/7 operation and production runs of up to ten consecutive days before cleaning is needed, the company notes. Built-in CIP spray systems, stainless-steel sanitary piping, and quick-release components provide full access for cleaning.

Other aspects of BatchWright, according to the company, include:

• Its touchscreen HMI enables processors to create, store, and select different product recipes, simplifying operation and changeovers.
• The system also collects production data, including batch weights, start and exit temperatures, and frying durations.
• BatchWright features UL-listed controls and can integrate with plant-wide monitoring platforms.

Compatible with both natural gas and propane, BatchWright’s compact footprint is ideal for facilities with limited floor space or retrofit constraints, PPM suggests.

For processors seeking a more comprehensive line solution, PPM also offers an optional upstream slicer with a dual auger feed conveyor. This system integrates with BatchWright to ensure uniform slices and deliver first-in/first-out batch processing, the company says.

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