Curd vat: how to choose and buy one? Horizontal and vertical curd vats

In brief. A curd vat is a stainless steel vessel with electric heating and/or steam supply: it holds the milk and starter-culture mixture at the right temperature, cools it with cold water after fermentation, and the tvorog (quark) is then pressed. Vats can be vertical (compact, with an internal agitator) or horizontal — with a flat bottom (more stable) or a spherical bottom (no dead zones, better mixing).

It is hard not to notice that the number of people who prefer natural farm products to those sold in shops has grown considerably in recent years. One of the main trends at the moment is tvorog made by the old traditional method.

This wholesome product, rich in animal protein and lactic acid bacteria, is an essential part of the diet for anyone who wants their digestive tract to work properly and trouble-free. Moreover, naturally made tvorog has a far richer flavour than the industrial product.

There is modern equipment for making tvorog, made of stainless steel to avoid unwanted chemical reactions. It helps you follow all the rules for producing this cultured dairy product and preserve its unique taste. This is the curd vat — an electrical unit consisting of a vessel equipped with an electric heater and/or a steam supply system.

The curd vat works by bringing the milk and starter-culture mixture to the optimum temperature and holding it there. It is important to heat the milk evenly. Once fermentation is complete, the curd vat is cooled by feeding in cold water. After cooling, the tvorog is pressed.

Curd vats can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical vats have the advantage of being compact and fitted with an internal agitator. Many specialists also believe that heat is distributed better in a vertical vat than in a horizontal one.

Horizontal curd vats, in turn, are divided into flat-bottomed and spherical-bottomed vats. A flat-bottomed vat is more stable and more resistant to wear and long operation. A spherical-bottomed vat has a certain slope to prevent dead zones and to mix the mass better.

A curd vat is a useful unit on a family farm. It lets you produce a natural product without having to constantly monitor the process and the temperature. That is why buying a curd vat is a smart decision: today, more than ever, people want farm products with a guarantee of purity and environmental friendliness.