Freeze-Dried Apples Case Study
This freeze-dried apples case study shows how a Chinese food processor used an SDG700 20㎡ freeze dryer to process approximately 254 kg of apple slices per batch and complete drying in 12 hours.
Quick Facts
This apple slice project used real production data instead of general marketing claims. The data helps fruit processors evaluate batch capacity, slice thickness, drying time, vacuum range, cold trap capacity, final moisture, and energy cost.
| Location | China |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Product | Freeze-dried apples |
| Product Type | Apple slices |
| Recommended Slice Thickness | 8 mm |
| Equipment | SDG700 freeze dryer |
| Drying Area | 20㎡ |
| Loading Density | 12.7 kg/㎡ |
| Batch Loading | Approx. 254 kg/batch |
| Time to Dry | 12 hours |
| Final Moisture Content | 1.97% |
| Vacuum Range | 26–93 Pa |
| Condenser Capacity | 2 kg water/㎡/hour |
| Total Condenser Capacity | Approx. 40 kg water/hour |
| Energy Consumption | 1.82 kWh/kg raw material |
| Estimated Batch Electricity Use | Approx. 462.28 kWh |
Commercial Freeze-Dried Apple Slice Production
In 2022, a food processing customer in China used an SDG700 20㎡ commercial freeze dryer to produce freeze-dried apple slices for commercial fruit processing.
Apple slices require careful drying control because slice thickness affects drying speed, crispness, product appearance, and production efficiency.
For this project, apple slices were loaded at 12.7 kg per square meter. With a total drying area of 20㎡, the batch loading capacity reached approximately 254 kg per batch.
The drying cycle was completed in approximately 12 hours, and the final moisture content reached 1.97%.
This calculation helps buyers understand real production capacity. Drying area alone is not enough; loading density, slice thickness, drying time, and final moisture must be evaluated together.
The Challenge: Balancing Apple Slice Crispness, Drying Speed, and Output
Apple slice thickness affects crispness, drying speed, product quality, and production efficiency. The customer needed a practical slice thickness suitable for commercial freeze-drying.
Slice Thickness
Apple slices that are too thin or too thick can reduce crispness and affect final product quality.
Batch Output
The system processed approximately 254 kg of fresh apple slices per batch.
Low Final Moisture
The final moisture content reached 1.97%, supporting packaging and storage stability.
Vacuum Stability
The drying process operated within a 26–93 Pa vacuum range.
Cold Trap Capacity
The total condenser capacity was designed at approximately 40 kg water/hour.
Energy Control
The project used approximately 1.82 kWh electricity per kg of raw material.
Apple Slice Thickness Test: Why 8 mm Was Selected
For freeze-dried apple slices, thickness should be selected by balancing crispness, drying speed, production efficiency, and final product quality.
During testing, the customer compared the effect of apple slice thickness on final product quality. When apple slices were thinner than 6 mm or thicker than 10 mm, the crispness gradually decreased.
When the apple slice thickness was between 6 mm and 10 mm, the crispness was better. However, the final production process also needed to consider drying speed and production efficiency.
After comparing product quality, drying speed, and commercial output, the final apple slice thickness was set at 8 mm.
This process experience helped the customer avoid choosing a freeze-drying process only based on machine size. Instead, the final process was based on real product testing.
SDG700 20㎡ Freeze Dryer
The SDG700 freeze dryer was selected to support commercial apple slice production with stable vacuum control, suitable water vapor capture capacity, and predictable batch performance.
- 20㎡ drying area for commercial fruit processing
- Apple slices processed at 8 mm thickness
- 12.7 kg/㎡ loading density and approx. 254 kg per batch
- 26–93 Pa vacuum range during drying
- 2 kg water/㎡/hour condenser capture capacity
- 12-hour drying cycle with 1.97% final moisture
- 1.82 kWh electricity per kg raw material
Real Drying Data for Freeze-Dried Apple Slices
This section gives buyers practical reference data. It shows how loading density, vacuum control, cold trap capacity, final moisture, energy use, and apple slice thickness affect actual production performance.
In this project, the SDG700 processed about 254 kg of apple slices per batch. The drying cycle was completed in 12 hours, and the final moisture content reached 1.97%.
| Product | Apple slices |
|---|---|
| Recommended Thickness | 8 mm |
| Fresh Material Loading | 12.7 kg/㎡ |
| Total Batch Load | Approx. 254 kg/batch |
| Vacuum Range | 26–93 Pa |
| Condenser Capacity | 2 kg water/㎡/hour |
| Total Condenser Capacity | Approx. 40 kg water/hour |
| Final Moisture | 1.97% |
| Energy Consumption | 1.82 kWh/kg raw material |
| Drying Time | 12 hours |
Production Result: 12-Hour Drying Cycle
The SDG700 20㎡ freeze dryer completed the apple slice drying process in approximately 12 hours. The final moisture content reached 1.97%.
Why These Data Points Matter
For fruit processors, real production data is more useful than general machine descriptions. These parameters help estimate output, freeze dryer cost, and equipment suitability.
1. Slice Thickness
Apple slice thickness affects crispness, drying speed, product appearance, and final quality. In this project, 8 mm was selected after comparing quality and production efficiency.
2. Condenser Capacity
The total condenser capacity was approximately 40 kg water/hour. For a 20㎡ freeze dryer, cold trap capacity affects vacuum stability, drying speed, and batch repeatability.
3. Energy Consumption
The process used approximately 1.82 kWh electricity per kg of raw material. Based on 254 kg per batch, the estimated electricity use was about 462.28 kWh per batch.
What Fruit Processors Can Learn from This Case
This China freeze-dried apple project shows that fruit freeze-drying equipment should be evaluated by real drying performance, slice preparation, final moisture, energy consumption, and product quality.
Thickness Testing Matters
For apple slices, thickness affects crispness, drying speed, product quality, and equipment utilization.
Ask for Real Drying Data
Batch load, final moisture, vacuum range, condenser capacity, and energy use provide more value than general supplier claims.
Check Cold Trap Capacity
Food freeze dryers must have enough condenser capacity to handle water vapor load and maintain stable vacuum during drying.
Match Machine Size to Output
A 20㎡ freeze dryer can be suitable for commercial apple slice, fruit slice, and snack ingredient production.
Continue Reading
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