Potato-peeling is an active and crucial stage of production and can have a decided effect on the quality and yield of the finished product. To achieve the desired outcome, Evie Serventi learns that today’s processor is looking for an energy-efficient, versatile peeler that minimises peel loss and downtime.
Peeling is one of the most important steps in potato processing and optimum yield greatly relies on the efficiency and effectiveness of the method of peeling and associated processes including washing, brushing, scrubbing and polishing.
The peel is removed by the use of heat, chemicals and mechanical abrasive methods. Knife peeling is still used, by hand for small volumes or by using drum-shaped mechanised knife peelers.Historically, common industrial processes were caustic or lye peeling, however today steam peeling and abrasive peeling dominate the market, depending on type and variety of products produced and intended capacity. Today’s abrasive (both batch and continuous) and steam peelers are commonly used by medium to large processors and are highly advanced. Lye peeling involves bathing potatoes in a caustic solution before both the skin and solution are scrubbed off – a method still employed by fruit producers (peaches) – but less so by potato processors.The peeling process can generate high levels of product loss which has guided equipment innovation and paved the way for quality monitoring and control systems to enter the market. Peeling is a process where less (peel) is more in terms of return on investment; key for every producer no matter the scale of production.