Steaming, cooking and flaking plants for milling

Steaming, cooking and flaking plants are a standard part of the milling industry, used to process grains such as corn, wheat and rice into forms that can be eaten directly or with minimal preparation. The three operations are sequential and distinct: steaming heats the grain with steam to soften it and make it more pliable; cooking is similar but takes the grain to a higher temperature for a longer period of time; and flaking presses the grain between two rollers to flatten it into flakes.

In practice, the working principle is straightforward but tightly controlled. Grain is exposed to steam at high temperatures and pressures for a specific period, then heated to a specific temperature for a specific period — usually with the addition of water — before being passed through a pair of rollers to flatten it into flakes. The dwell time, temperature and moisture addition at each stage are what determine flake integrity and the eating quality of the finished product.

Output from these lines feeds several product categories: breakfast cereals, snack foods, animal feed and flour. Beyond throughput, the process is chosen because it produces foods that are ready to eat or need minimal preparation, foods that are rich in nutrients and easy to digest, and because it helps reduce food waste and optimise the use of resources.

Key players in the market for this equipment include Bühler AG, CPM Wolverine Proctor LLC, FLSmidth & Co. A/S, and Alvan Blanch Development Company Limited.