This document describes the EcoFrost Blast Chiller/Freezer, a device designed for rapid chilling and freezing of food products while maintaining their freshness, hygiene, and quality. It significantly reduces the risk of bacteria generation and is suitable for storing cooked food, as well as for natural chilling and freezing processes.
Function Description
The EcoFrost Blast Chiller/Freezer operates by rapidly lowering the core temperature of food products. This method helps preserve the texture, hygiene, and quality of food, reducing the risk of bacterial growth. The traditional method of storing cooked food often leads to a significant temperature drop in the refrigerator, with the core temperature falling from +65°C to +10°C in about 2 hours. This process can cause food to lose moisture, consistency, aroma, and color. Blast chillers and freezers are designed to reduce this critical temperature change time, preserving the food's characteristics.
The device offers four types of cycles:
- CY1, CY2, CY3, CY4: These are pre-set according to common food safety requirements and can be selected by the user.
- Any cycle: Can be manually terminated before the normal cycle duration.
- Cycle interruption: If the door is opened (up to 3 times), the internal temperature of the product is measured. If the door remains open for an extended period, the cycle will be canceled, and the fans will turn off.
- Defrost cycle: During the cycle, there are no defrosts, and the fans are always on, ensuring continuous cooling.
- Configurable cycles: The cycle is divided into 3 phases, which are user-configurable.
- Remote display: Each instrument is provided with an output for a remote display (XR REP), which shows the temperature of the cabinet or goods.
- Real-time clock: The controller includes an internal real-time clock and can be connected to a printer. This means that a report, which includes all the main features of the cycle, can be printed: start and end of the cycle, length of the cycle, logging of the temperature of the cabinet and goods.
The device supports various chilling and freezing modes:
- CY1: For fast chilling and preservation of food (hard + soft chill).
- CY2: For chilling and fast freezing of food (hard + soft + freezing cycle).
- CY3: For direct fast freezing (only fast freezing cycle).
- CY4: For fast freezing avoiding ice skin (hard chill + freezing cycle).
- HLd: Hold mode function.
- dEF: For starting a manual defrost.
Important Technical Specifications
The storage cabinet is designed to fit two kinds of pans:
- GN 1/1 pan
- 400x600 EN pan
The device requires proper electrical connection. All units must be plugged into a grounded and properly-sized electrical outlet with appropriate overcurrent protection. If the correct outlet is not available, a certified electrician must install the correct power source. To minimize shock and fire hazards, an overload outlet should be avoided. A dedicated outlet for the unit is recommended, and an extension cord should not be used.
For optimal performance, the unit requires adequate ventilation. Maintain a clearance of 100mm / 4" on the back of the unit and 50mm / 2" on the top. This helps prevent the compressor from overworking, leading to higher energy bills and potential breakdowns.
Usage Features
Installation:
- Unpacking: The unit is delivered on a pallet and shrink-wrapped. Documentation is inserted into a clear pocket inside the unit. Carefully remove the protective plastic film and cardboard from the unit exterior and from the door opening surround. Ensure no damage occurs during unpacking.
- Leveling: Install the unit on strong and leveled surfaces. Uneven surfaces can cause unpleasant noises or malfunction. If the floor is not flat, use shims to make sure the base of this unit is horizontal.
- Ventilation: Install the unit in an indoor, well-ventilated area. Maintain specified clearances from walls and other objects to ensure proper airflow.
- Environmental conditions: Avoid installation in high humidity and/or dusty areas, as humidity can cause rust and decrease efficiency. Do not install the unit in a location that will cause the compressor to overwork, such as near heat-generating equipment or in direct sunlight.
- Corrosion: The cabinet must not be located in a chloride / acid-containing environment (swimming-bath, etc.) due to risk of corrosion.
- Castors: The castors are equipped with a brake, allowing the unit to be locked or unlocked.
Operation:
- Loading Food: Ensure the unit is loaded with food at the desired temperature. The maximum temperature of food entering the Blast Chiller/Blast Freezer must not exceed +80°C (176°F). Regulations state that product should be placed in the Blast Chiller/Blast Freezer within 90 minutes from completion of cooking. The packaging of food and the way it is loaded or placed within the equipment can have a significant effect on the time within which the temperature can be reduced to the required level and the amount of food that can be processed in each chilling or freezing batch. The maximum food thickness is 50mm.
- Probe Placement: The needle of the probe should be inserted until the point reaches the center of the foodstuff.
- Controller Interface: The unit features a frontal panel with a display showing room temperature and probe temperature, along with various status icons (fan, defrost, compressor, alarm, auxiliary relay).
- Starting a Cycle: Push and release the P key to select the desired cycle. Push and release the START/STOP button to start a cycle. The corresponding yellow LED will switch on.
- Stopping a Cycle: Hold the START/STOP button (2) until the yellow LED is switched off.
- Setting Time (RTC): Hold the UP and DOWN keys (5) until the Min label is displayed. Use UP and DOWN keys to browse parameters. Push the SET button, then UP and DOWN keys to modify. Push SET to confirm. Push SET + UP keys or wait 5 seconds to exit.
- Displaying/Modifying Holding Phase: Push and release the SET key (6). The holding set point of the selected cycle is displayed for 5 seconds. While the SET display is active, hold the SET key until the HdS label starts flashing. Use UP and DOWN keys to modify the value. Push SET to confirm. Push SET + UP keys or wait 5 seconds to exit.
- Modifying a Cycle: Push the P key (6) for several seconds until the first parameter (CyS) is displayed. Use UP and DOWN keys to browse parameters. To modify a parameter, push the SET key and use the arrow keys. Confirm with SET. The new value is recorded even if the programming is exited by time out.
- Keyboard Operation: The UP/DOWN display shows the temperature of the thermostat probe. The bottom display shows the temperature of an insert probe (if enabled) or the countdown timer. By pushing the DOWN key, the probes IP1, IP2, IP3 and the countdown timer are displayed in sequence. The UP key shows the running phase.
- Regulation Set Points: By pushing the SET key, the following information is displayed: rSI (room set point), ISt (insert set point, referred to the insert probe), HdS (hold set point at the end of the cycle).
- Modifying Room Set Point: While rSI or ISt are displayed, hold the SET key until the rSI or ISt label starts flashing and the LED near the SET key is turned on. Use the arrow key to modify the value and the SET key to confirm.
- Holding Regulation Set Point: While the holding cycle is running, if the H icon is lit, push the SET key and the holding set point is displayed on the UPPER display while the SETH label is on the bottom display.
- Modifying Room Set Point (Holding): While SETH is displayed, hold the SET key until the SETH label starts flashing and the LED near the SET key is turned on. Use the arrow key to modify the value and the SET key to confirm.
- Other Keys: LIGHT (4) switches the light on and off. AUX (8) switches the auxiliary relay on and off. PRINTER / H (7) activates/deactivates the printer.
- Printer Configuration Menu: Push the PRINTER (7) key for a few seconds to enter the printer configuration menu. The tLP label is displayed. Use arrow keys to browse parameters. Push SET to modify. Push SET to confirm. Push SET + UP keys or wait 5 seconds to exit.
- Manual Defrost: To start a manual defrost, hold the UP key for a few seconds. The defrost will not be done if the temperature detected by the evaporator probe is higher than EdF (stop defrost temperature) parameter.
- Lock/Unlock Keyboard: Press TEMP + SET to lock or unlock the keyboard.
- Programming Mode: Press SET + TEMP to enter the programming mode. Each parameter in Pr2 can be removed or put into Pr1 (user level) by pressing SET + UP/DOWN.
- Return to Previous Menu: Press SET + TEMP to return to the previous menu.
- Meaning of LEDs: Various LEDs on the front panel indicate the status of the loads controlled by the instrument (compressor, defrost, fans, alarm, auxiliary relay).
Maintenance Features
Regular Maintenance:
- Before maintenance and cleaning, unplug the unit. Do not plug or unplug the cord with wet hands.
Cleaning the Condenser Coil:
- For efficient operation, the condenser surface must be free of dust, dirt, and lint.
- Clean the condenser coil and fins at least once per month.
- Use a commercial condenser coil cleaner, available from any kitchen equipment retailer.
- Brush the condenser fins from top to bottom, not side to side.
- Straighten any bent condenser fins with a fin comb.
Cleaning the Fan Blade and Motor:
- If necessary, clean the fan blades and motor with a soft cloth to prevent moisture damage.
Cleaning the Interior of the Unit:
- When cleaning the cabinet interior, use a warm water and mild soap solution.
- Do not use steel wool, caustic soap, abrasive cleaners, or bleach that may damage the stainless steel surface.
- Wash door gaskets on a regular basis (preferably weekly). Remove door gaskets from the frame of the door, soak in warm water and soap for thirty (30) minutes, dry with a soft cloth, and replace.
- Check door gaskets for proper seal after they are replaced.
- Periodically remove the shelves and pilasters from the unit and clean them with mild soap and warm water. To remove the pilasters, first remove the shelves and shelf brackets. Then, simply lift the pilaster up and out.
Troubleshooting:
The manual provides a table of symptoms, possible causes, and corrective actions for common issues such as:
- Compressor not running.
- Condensing unit running for long periods.
- Cabinet temperature too warm.
- Cabinet is noisy.
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