Curd vats: types and operating principle

In brief. A curd vat is a double-walled horizontal or vertical vessel on adjustable feet for fermenting standardized or skim milk. Heating is by steam or electric heating elements; after fermentation, cold or ice water is fed into the jacket, and the coagulum is discharged into a press trolley or into bags. Horizontal vats have a flat or spherical bottom; vertical vats are compact, with a built-in cutting device and agitator.

The most essential equipment for making tvorog (quark) by the traditional method is the curd vat. It is a double-walled vessel, horizontal or vertical, mounted on adjustable feet.

Horizontal curd vats

Horizontal vats can have a flat or a spherical bottom. Thanks to its optimal slope, a spherical bottom prevents product from stagnating, which makes the vat much easier to clean and operate. With a flat-bottomed vat, it is more convenient to use manual curd harps to cut the curd coagulum.

Vertical curd vats

A vertical vat is more compact and has a built-in cutting device and agitator.

These vessels are used to ferment standardized or skim milk with added lactic acid bacteria. The vat allows the raw milk to be heated and cooled to the required temperature.

Curd vats differ by type of heating:

• steam;
• electric.

The curd vat works as follows: after the vat is filled with milk and the starter culture is added, steam is fed into the jacket or the electric heating elements are switched on. The milk is heated to a set temperature and held there for the required time. Installed sensors transmit the temperatures of the product and the heating medium to the temperature controller. When fermentation is complete, the heating medium is drained and cold or ice water is fed in to cool the coagulum formed. After cooling, the mass is discharged through the outlet valve into a press trolley or filled into curd bags.

These units are built to a high standard, are reliable in operation and can run trouble-free for a decade or more if the operating rules are followed.

The Milberg plant offers a wide range of equipment for dairy producers, including equipment for curd products, suitable both for small family farms and for large plants. In line with food safety and hygiene standards, all equipment made at the plant is manufactured from high-quality stainless steel approved for use in the food industry.

If you need milk processing equipment, submit an enquiry on the website or contact our specialists by phone.