There are certain machines that every food processing business needs in order to operate efficiently and effectively, but finding those essential machines is easier said than done. One machine might be perfect for one company, but completely useless to another, so you have to understand your specific needs in order to find the right machine. When trying to figure out what’s essential and what’s not, consider these three categories of machines every food processing business should have: core machines, secondary machines, and specialty machines. Here’s what they are, along with examples of each type of machine and which types of businesses they can best serve.

1. Commercial Meat Grinders or meat mincers

The Basics Meat grinders or meat mincers are a must-have in any food processing business. You can't make hamburgers, sausages, deli meat or chicken nuggets without one. A meat grinder or mincer is a mechanical device that rapidly shreds and forces ground meat through small holes to create either fine or coarse mixtures that are then put through other machines for more shaping, mixing and cooking.

Meat grinders or mincers are made up of several parts: (1) a hopper or feeding chute to add raw meat; (2) a motor and blade that shreds and forces ground meat through small holes to create either fine or coarse mixtures that are then put through other machines for more shaping, mixing and cooking; (3) a bin to catch ground meat; and (4) an outlet tube where ground meat is collected. For small operations, these parts can be all in one unit.

2. Commercial Meat Slicers

If you own a food processing business that deals with cooked meats, you’ll need a commercial meat slicer. While you can slice cooked meats by hand, there are three main benefits to using a machine: speed, consistency and safety. A machine will slice your meat more quickly and evenly than any person can. Plus, it can be left unattended while slicing large quantities of meat. In addition to meat processing businesses, you should look into purchasing commercial slicers as well.

Do note that some commercial meat slicers can handle both cooked and uncooked meats, while others are dedicated to slicing chilled or frozen meats only. There are a few different types of slicers to choose from, such as push-style machines that are held over your food, or pull-style machines that move along a track. Both options offer advantages and disadvantages you’ll need to take into account when making your purchase.

3. Commercial Meat cutter

A commercial meat cutter is a machine that can cut through pretty much any meat product. Most of these machines are designed to make it easier for butchers to make consistent cuts with ease. They can be a little pricier than other cutting machines, but they do tend to pay for themselves over time due to how much less hassle you have to deal with. An added bonus is that many of them double as slicers and shavers, which makes it easier than ever before to get your products prepped quickly.

A good commercial meat cutter will cut your production time down by a significant amount, allowing you to sell products that are more consistent and appealing. Many times, customers don’t notice when products aren’t exactly uniform in size, but when they see huge variations between pieces of meat (or other foods), it can turn them off from purchasing them entirely.

4. Commercial wrapping or packaging machines

These machines enclose food products in a wrapping material to preserve freshness, extend shelf life and reduce spoilage. Widespread use of commercial packaging machines first became common in supermarkets in the 1950s. At that time, major grocers were consolidating distribution centers near urban areas because of improvements in transportation logistics and refrigeration technology. These distribution centers served as central points for individual grocery stores to place orders of produce or perishable items, like meat and dairy products.

Wrapping machines for food packaging are designed to handle packages and items of various shapes, sizes and weights. Packaging machines use a variety of techniques, depending on their primary application. Roll wrapping machines typically enclose products in a sheet of plastic that’s fed from a roll. Tray wrappers are used to wrap more delicate items; such as produce or bakery goods. A carton wrapper is used for flat square-shaped objects that might be fragile, such as eggs or wine bottles.

5. Weighing scales and labelling

With a Weighing scale, it is possible to determine exactly how much of every ingredient goes into your product. When you sell your products to people other than friends and family, you have to provide consumers with enough information so that they can make an informed decision. One crucial element of packaging is labelling. Make sure all your ingredients are on the label so that customers can see what they’re consuming.

Weighing scales also come in a range of different types. Mechanical models are perhaps one of the most common choices, but there are other options that use new technology to deliver more accurate results. Digital models automatically turn off after a short period of inactivity, which can be useful for businesses where employees don’t spend long periods of time with products at hand.

The Essential Machines Every Food Processing Business Needs

1. Commercial Meat Grinders or meat mincers

3. Commercial Meat cutter

4. Commercial wrapping or packaging machines

5. Weighing scales and labelling