[Problem to be Solved] The present invention relates to instant fried noodles having a small number of coarse or dense portions and homogeneously fried.

[Solution] In the present invention, frying is performed in two stages so as to dip a retainer in frying oil at a prescribed dipping ratio and then to dip the whole of the retainer in the frying oil, and in addition, flow rates of the frying oil supplied from an upstream side and a downstream side of a frying oil tank and a surface level of the frying oil are controlled. Therefore, a noodle lump can be prevented from peeling off and floating from the bottom of the retainer before fixing the shape of the noodle lump due to a pressure applied by the frying oil so as not to impair the shape of the noodle lump, and as a result, frying efficiency or production efficiency can be improved. Besides, a noodle lump that has a very small number of coarse or dense portions in a distribution of noodle strings can be stably produced. A difference in density of noodle strings between an upper half portion and a lower half portion of a dried noodle lump is preferably at least 13% or less.

Fryer for frying food products, the fryer includes a frying vessel for accommodating a frying oil, a guided wave radar sensor arranged in the frying vessel, and an analysis unit for determining a permittivity of the frying oil accommodated in the frying vessel based on measurement data of the guided wave radar sensor.

Food processing line including: a frying vessel, at least one storage tank arranged in fluid communication with the frying vessel, a first guided wave radar sensor arranged in the frying vessel, an analysis unit for determining a permittivity of the frying oil accommodated in the frying vessel based on measurement data of the first guided wave radar sensor, at least one additional guided wave radar sensor arranged in the at least one storage tank, a control unit to control an inflow of replacement frying oil into the frying vessel from the at least one storage tank and/or an outflow of used frying oil from the frying vessel to the at least one storage tank based on the measurements of the first guided wave radar sensor and based on measurements of the at least one additional guided wave radar sensor arranged in the storage tank.

A food processing apparatus includes a pressure vessel defining a compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and movable relative to the compartment between a first position, for food processing, and a second position, to facilitate cleaning, a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen, the auger being operable to advance food product within the compartment from the inlet end of the pressure vessel toward the outlet end, and a transfer mechanism including a conduit in communication with the compartment, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge and operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move food product through the conduit.

An automatic fryer apparatus and method of frying food products includes a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism disposed in the cooking chamber, and a pump disposed at an end of the cooking chamber to circulate cooking medium within the cooking chamber. Food product is added to the cooking chamber and flows along with the cooking medium in a flow direction. A controller controls a plurality of gates by individually actuating each gate. The controller stores data regarding predetermined time periods, which regulate when to raise and lower each gate. Food product moves downstream of each gate along a flow direction when each respective gate is raised. Food product is automatically transferred to a holding station when it reaches an outlet end of the cooking chamber.

A method and system for producing fried food pieces is disclosed. The food pieces are immersed in a first edible fluid as a product bed, monolayered, and immersed in a second edible fluid. The food pieces may also be drained in vertical orientation on a draining belt having at least one vertical orientation member.

A fryer includes a cooking chamber for holding a cooking medium at least one heating element positioned within the cooking chamber, and a chain conveyor for selectively advancing food product through the cooking chamber along a movement path. The chain conveyor includes first and second chains coupled together by a plurality of baskets extending therebetween. The movement path includes a series of legs, including a first leg wherein the food product moves substantially vertically from above the cooking medium to a greatest depth within the cooking medium and including a second leg subsequent to the first leg wherein the food product moves substantially horizontally at the greatest depth within the cooking medium. Automated filtering systems and methods for removing debris from cooking medium are also provided.

A method for producing instant fried noodles which includes the steps of: reversing a noodle lump upside down within 15 seconds after detaching the noodle lump from oil in a fry tank in a frying treatment of the instant fried noodles; putting gelatinized noodle strings in a plurality of retainers pivotally supported by two endless parallel chains; immersing the plurality of retainers, in which the noodle strings have been put by movements of the two chains, in a fry tank to fry the noodle strings; detaching the retainers from oil in the fry tank by movements of the two chains; reversing the retainers upside down by rotating the pivotally supported retainers within 15 seconds after the detachment; conveying the retainers in a state in which the retainers are reversed upside down by movements of the chains; and separating a plurality of fried noodle lumps from the retainers.

A stick-type food preparation system according to the present invention comprises: a forming apparatus for covering a filling-ingredient stick, which is formed by skewering a filling ingredient with a stick, with dough; an applying apparatus for applying a topping to a dough stick which is formed from the filling-ingredient stick in the forming apparatus; and a deep fryer for deep-frying in oil a semi-finished product which is formed by applying the topping to the dough stick in the applying apparatus.

A food processing apparatus including a tank having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, the tank having an inner wall defining a compartment and including a solid, imperforate wall portion, fluid being contained in the compartment, and a rotatable auger mounted in the compartment, the auger for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the auger including flights having a flight wall with a radial edge, a clearance space being defined between the radial edge of the flights and the solid, imperforate wall portion of the inner wall. Flow of fluid through the clearance space may be inhibited. One of the inner wall and the flight wall may include a perforated wall portion. Flow of fluid between the first auger section and the second auger section may be provided through the perforated wall portion.