Oct. 29, 2007

Electricity
turned on,
coolant
added as
tests of
the 'blast
chiller'
begin

 Technicians from Sigmon Refrigeration loaded up the blast chiller with refrigerant on Monday, Oct. 30, and began working through tests of the new equipment.

After the equipment is running and staff training and procedural issues are ironed out, Friendship Trays will use the new "blast chiller" to quickly cool food after cooling to lock in nutrients, improve its appearance when delivered, reduce health and safety issues and increase the food's shelf life.

Conversion to the new "chilled meals" from hot meals will take months. The routes first to be converted to chilled meals are expected to be those delivered out of the Levine Senior Center in Matthews.

Plans are under way to educate recipients on the upcoming change, and to provide them with reheating facilities if they do not already have access to a conventional oven or microwave.

For earlier coverage on this subject, click here.

Listen to the blast chiller's fans, then the blast chiller door close. (14 seconds):