Kuipers offers food producers an efficient and flexible solution for frozen French fries of various cuts and sizes as well as related products such as skin-on potato wedges. Our solution incorporates all the necessary components from raw potato receipt until freezing. This is a turn-key plant of various degrees of automation according to the processor’s requirements.  Kuipers focuses on smaller French fries processing lines of up to five ton output per hour. The line presents an optimized process including various types of peeling such as steam or abrasive, hydro or mechanical cutting, optical sorting, 2-step blanching, dipping, drying, pre-frying and de-fatting.

An effective double grading step ensures the end product will be free of small pieces, called slivers and nubbins. Optionally, we will integrate an optical sorting system after grading from one of our specialized partners to efficiently eliminate colour defects from the product stream.

The standard process is optimized to guarantee a stable quality end product working with raw material of varying specifications. For example, two blanching units are included to ensure colour control of the product as well as the enzymatic inactivation and pre-gelatinization of the starch. After blanching, a dip belt has been provided for application of SAPP to avoid after cooking darkening of the product. The dryer will further prepare the product before frying, improving product texture (crispiness) and ensure the final moisture content is at optimal levels and according customer specification. The frying system’s main focus is to maintain frying oil quality over a longer period of time. This is done mainly by efficient filtration and control over the frying oil volume. The system is automatic and fully controlled via the PLC. The fryer is designed for a flexible process for a wide variety of different end products, each with different frying parameters.

Kuipers can offer a batter coating system as an option. This system would be installed between the dryer and fryer and allows the processor for further diversification of its range of end products. For example, a clear-coated French fries on the basis of a starch solution allows the product to stay warm and maintain its crispiness longer.

Kuipers French fries factory is a turn-key delivered project, fully pre-tested and pre-wired in our workshop before delivery. The plant is mounted in our unique mainframe concept where all the electric cabling and pneumatic air supply pipes can be carefully stored for a clean and safe design. This concept further allows our customers to rapidly install and efficiently start up the factory on site.