Pet food microwave machine is primarily used for sterilization, drying, puffing, and cooking, improving the safety and palatability of pet food. However, during use, the following key considerations must be observed to ensure production safety, equipment stability, and product quality.
I. Equipment Selection and Installation Considerations
1. Applicable Product Types:
Suitable for sterilizing/drying wet and semi-dry pet food, and for puffing/cooking dry pet food and pet snacks.
2. Installation Environment Requirements
Good ventilation: Microwave equipment generates heat during operation, so an exhaust system is required.
Moisture and dustproof: Protect the circuits, especially the control cabinet, from moisture.
Level floor: The equipment must be installed securely to prevent vibration from affecting microwave uniformity.
II. Precautions During Production
1. Material Pretreatment
Wet food sterilization: Moisture content is 30%-50%, and the food must be evenly spread (thickness ≤ 5cm).
Dry food puffing: Moisture content is 10%-20%, to avoid overheating and burning. Influence of Ingredients:
High-fat and high-salt pet foods are susceptible to microwave absorption, requiring reduced power or shortened processing times.
When adding heat-sensitive ingredients such as vitamins, low-temperature, staged processing is required.
2. Parameter Setting and Monitoring
Temperature Control:
Sterilization: 70-90°C (kills pathogens such as Salmonella).
Drying: 50-70°C (preserves nutrients and prevents protein denaturation).
Time Adjustment:
Wet pet food sterilization: 1-3 minutes.
Dry pet food puffing: 30-60 seconds (requires subsequent cooling).
Real-Time Monitoring: Adjust power based on feedback from infrared temperature measurement or humidity sensors.
III. Equipment Maintenance and Safe Operation
1. Daily Maintenance
Cavity Cleaning: Clean residue after daily production (pet food is prone to grease residue).
Magnetron Inspection: Test microwave emission efficiency monthly (replace if attenuation >15%).
Lubricate transmission components: Regularly fill conveyor belt bearings with food-grade lubricant.
2. Operational Safety
Personnel Training:
Operators must stay away from the equipment operating area (microwave radiation safety distance ≥ 1m).
In an emergency, the power supply can be quickly disconnected.
Protective Equipment:
Wear microwave-proof gloves and goggles (required during maintenance).
