A process for producing superabsorbent particles by polymerizing a monomer solution, comprising the steps of continuously polymerizing the monomer solution on the continuous belt of a belt reactor, comminuting the polymer gel obtained, rinsing the polymer gel obtained on the underside of the belt reactor into a separation unit with water, separating the polymer gel from the water in the separation unit and recycling the polymer gel into the comminution, wherein the polymer gel has a swelling capacity in water of at least 100 g/g, the dwell time of the polymer gel in the rinse water is less than 40 minutes, and the separation unit has openings with a clear width of at least 1 mm.