Hydro Cooling Installation in Washington State
Improve fruit and vegetable quality and extend shelf life with hydro cooling installation in Washington State from CW Refrigeration. Our custom hydro cooling systems instantly reduce the temperature of freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, preventing them from ripening and breaking down too quickly. This rapid pre-cooling method offers more efficient chilling than other industrial refrigeration solutions, ensuring optimal produce storage conditions.
How Hydro Cooling Systems Work
External factors, such as hot, humid field temperatures, and internal factors, such as produce respiration and off-gassing, speed fruit and vegetable deterioration. Without rapid temperature control, produce may suffer moisture loss, softening, wilting, mold and bacteria growth, and decomposition, reducing shelf life. Hydro cooling stops or slows these processes without causing weight reduction.
Hydro cooling systems hold water to precise temperatures, typically around 31 degrees F. Ice cold water is dispensed over produce as fruits and vegetables pass through on a conveyor in bulk or mesh bags, wire crates, bins, or pallets. Care must be taken to maximize surface area exposure. Water-permeable containers offering precision drainage allow for proper drainage before storage. Using active chlorine or ozone disinfects potential contaminants, ensuring food safety.
Types of Hydro Cooling System Designs
We offer many custom hydro cooling system design options to meet your large-scale produce storage needs, including:
- Batch-type hydro coolers
- Pass-through or immersion hydro coolers
- Portable hydro coolers
- Stand-alone or central plant refrigeration system designs
- Ammonia or freon-based hydro cooling systems
- Epoxy or stainless steel construction
- Variable speed conveyors
- Cold water recirculated systems or ice bank technology
- Hydro coolers with water filtration
- Self-cleaning or easy-clean hydro cooling systems
- Hydro coolers with advanced energy-saving controls
Foods that Respond Best to Hydro Cooling
Hydro cooling is an excellent way to preserve many popular fruits and vegetables. It’s an excellent solution for extending the shelf life of apples, apricots, artichokes, asparagus, avocados, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupes, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, corn, cucumbers, endive, green beans, kale, leeks, lettuces, nectarines, parsley, peaches, plums, radishes, spinach, sweet corn, watercress, and more. Foods highly susceptible to wetting, such as berries, citrus, cabbage, garlic, mushroom, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, and squash, should not be hydrocooled.
Ensure Optimal Flavor with a Custom Hydro Cooler
Improve produce quality and extend shelf life with hydro cooling installation in Washington State from CW Refrigeration. Contact us at 509-248-4600 to schedule a custom industrial cooling system design consultation for your Ellensburg, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Pasco, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, or Yakima facility today.
Washington State
Washington is filled with scenic natural beauty, from tall, glaciated mountains to lush, temperate rainforests. It offers abundant resources, producing much of the nation’s hops, wine grapes, apples, pears, berries, and cherries. CW Refrigeration proudly serves Washington, providing custom industrial cooling solutions to help local food distributors feed our nation.