PPM Technologies has launched their innovative CookWright continuous frying system, designed to revolutionize food processing with enhanced production efficiency and superior product quality. The system features highly customizable components including heating elements, conveyor belts, and filtration systems that can be configured to meet specific manufacturing needs. With precise temperature management and advanced oil filtration technology, the CookWright system delivers improved fuel efficiency and better sanitation standards for commercial food production. According to Daniel Luna, director of processing at PPM Technologies, “At PPM, we know the most effective fryers are designed with close attention to details—that’s why our new CookWright includes advanced filtration technology, several strategically-placed sensors, and smart controls compatible with plant-wide monitoring networks.”
Versatile Applications for Diverse Food Production
The CookWright continuous frying system brings impressive versatility to commercial kitchens and food manufacturing facilities. This advanced system expertly handles various products including potato chips, corn-based snacks, extruded snacks, and pita chips. It’s equally effective with plantain chips, nuts, seeds, various proteins like pork rinds, and appetizers such as spring rolls.
I’m particularly impressed by how this system adapts to different food types with minimal adjustment needed. When comparing frying versus baking methods, commercial-scale frying presents unique challenges that the CookWright system addresses effectively. The system’s versatility makes it an excellent solution for food manufacturers looking to diversify their product lines without investing in multiple pieces of equipment.
Whether you’re producing savory snacks or specialty items, the CookWright accommodates various food densities, shapes, and oil absorption rates. This adaptability is critical for manufacturers seeking efficient production methods across multiple product categories.
Cutting-Edge Features for Performance Optimization
The CookWright system offers customizable capacity options and specialized belt designs tailored to specific product characteristics. This level of customization ensures optimal frying conditions for every type of food item. My experience with industrial fryers has shown that belt design significantly impacts product quality and throughput.
Manufacturers can choose from several heating options, including:
- Direct-fired immersion tubes for rapid heat transfer
- Gas-fired heat exchangers for efficient operation
- Indirect thermal fluid exchange for sensitive products
These options allow for precise temperature control through single or multi-zone heating configurations. For context, multi-zone heating provides the ability to vary temperatures throughout the frying process, similar to how woks offer temperature advantages over conventional frying pans in smaller-scale operations.
The state-of-the-art filtration system incorporates PPM’s patent-pending drum filter with optional secondary filtration. This advanced system removes food particles and extends oil life, reducing operational costs. Continuous oil circulation through multiple inlets ensures uniform heat distribution, eliminating hot and cold spots that can affect product consistency.
Smart Technology Integration for Modern Manufacturing
The CookWright system features upgraded sensors and controls that significantly enhance operational reliability and monitoring capabilities. Data collection includes comprehensive temperature logs, operating hours tracking, and detailed fault histories. All this information remains easily accessible through an intuitive touchscreen HMI (Human-Machine Interface), giving operators complete control and visibility.
This system seamlessly integrates with PPM’s complementary equipment, including seasoning systems, cooling conveyors, and product handling solutions. It’s also compatible with other Duravant brand solutions, creating a cohesive production line. The integration capabilities remind me of how smaller units like the FryDaddy revolutionized home frying, but on an industrial scale with vastly improved controls.
What really stands out is the CookWright’s ability to connect with plant-wide monitoring networks. This connectivity allows manufacturers to optimize overall equipment efficiency and make data-driven decisions. Real-time performance data helps identify bottlenecks and opportunities for process improvements, ultimately boosting productivity and reducing downtime.
Built for Durability and Easy Maintenance
The CookWright system is constructed with high-temperature oversized bearings that ensure reliability even under demanding production schedules. This durability-focused design significantly reduces mechanical failures and extends equipment life. Industrial fryers face extreme operating conditions, and these construction choices directly address common failure points.
Stainless-steel reducers and totally-enclosed, non-ventilated stainless-steel motors are specifically designed for washdown conditions. This construction choice protects critical components from moisture and cleaning chemicals. The system also features Clean-in-Place (CIP) functionality with dedicated controls for maximum sanitation, simplifying the cleaning process and ensuring food safety compliance.
Maintenance accessibility has clearly been a design priority, with easy-to-reach components and logical service access points. For manufacturers concerned about oil quality and selection, the advanced filtration system makes maintenance more manageable and extends the usable life of frying oils. These features combine to create a system that delivers reliability while minimizing maintenance downtime.
Performance Advantages for Production Facilities
The CookWright system delivers substantial efficiency improvements compared to traditional batch frying methods. Continuous operation eliminates the start-stop cycles that waste energy and reduce throughput in conventional systems. This constant production flow helps manufacturers meet increasing demand without proportional increases in operating costs.
Oil management represents one of the most significant operational expenses in frying operations. The CookWright’s advanced filtration system substantially extends oil life, directly impacting the bottom line. Temperature stability throughout the frying process results in more consistent product quality, reducing waste and improving customer satisfaction.
Energy efficiency features, including insulated fryer bodies and optimized heating systems, reduce utility costs while maintaining production capacity. For manufacturers looking to expand their dessert or snack lines, the CookWright offers flexibility similar to what you’d find with specialized equipment for churros but with much higher volume capabilities and broader application.
Experience CookWright at SNAXPO 2024
Food manufacturing professionals can see the CookWright system firsthand at the upcoming SNAXPO 2024 exhibition in Orlando, Florida. PPM Technologies will showcase this innovative frying system at booth #739 from March 30 to April 1. This industry event provides an excellent opportunity to speak directly with the engineers and specialists behind the system’s development.
SNAXPO attendees can schedule demonstrations and discuss specific production needs with PPM’s technical team. These face-to-face conversations often reveal customization possibilities that might not be apparent from specifications alone. For manufacturers considering production upgrades or expansions, this direct access to expertise is invaluable.
I highly recommend that snack and food manufacturers planning capital improvements take advantage of this opportunity to evaluate the CookWright system. For those unable to attend SNAXPO, PPM Technologies offers detailed information and contact options through their website at https://ppmtech.com/contact/. Their team can arrange virtual demonstrations or site visits to help manufacturers determine if the CookWright system meets their specific production needs.
The food manufacturing industry continues to seek equipment that balances production efficiency, product quality, and operational costs. With its combination of versatility, advanced features, and smart technology integration, the CookWright continuous frying system represents a significant advancement for commercial food production. As consumer demand for fried food products remains strong, systems like CookWright offer manufacturers the tools needed to meet that demand efficiently and profitably.