Iceberg lettuce washing and drying line

The Sormac Iceberg lettuce washing and drying line is designed for the efficient cutting, washing, dewatering, and drying of iceberg lettuce and other leafy vegetables. This advanced processing line combines a high capacity of up to 5,500 lbs per hour with gentle product handling, helping maximize product quality, shelf life, and yield.

Every machine within this seamlessly integrated line plays a vital role, from precision cutting and thorough washing to efficient dewatering and drying. The result is a reliable, high-performance processing solution that helps you increase productivity while consistently delivering premium-quality products.

Set-up

Iceberg lettuce washing and drying line

Perfectly cut, washed and dried iceberg lettuce can be produced with Sormac’s processing line. The capacity of this line is 2,500 kg an hour. The line is also suitable for processing brassica vegetables.

Preparation table VBT-3

Conveyor TB

Spiral washer SW-80

Dewatering conveyor OWB

Centrifuge SC/NextGen-range

Tailored advice

Our potato peeling line offers not only advanced machines but also flexibility. Whether you are looking for small-scale or large-scale solutions, we adapt the configuration of the potato processing line to your needs. Contact us for a consultation and let us jointly design the optimal setup for your business.

Step by step

How does the iceberg lettuce washing and drying line work?

Step 1 – Preparation

The Sormac Preparation table provides an efficient workstation for the manual preparation and inspection of leafy vegetables prior to further processing. Products can be easily inspected and manually prepared to ensure a consistent product flow. Its ergonomic design and robust stainless steel construction provide a comfortable working environment, excellent accessibility for cleaning, and a long service life. The Preparation table can be used as a stand-alone solution or seamlessly integrated into a complete processing line.

Step 2 – Cutting

Depending on the product, required capacity and desired cutting shape, a cutting machine from a third-party supplier is integrated into the processing line. This ensures a solution that is fully tailored to the specific processing requirements and seamlessly integrated into the overall line configuration.

Step 3 – Washing

For optimum product cleaning, this processing line features two Sormac Spiral washers SW-80, configured for a first and second washing stage. This two-stage setup ensures the thorough removal of dirt and product residues while preserving product quality. The SW-80 is available with a wide range of options, including various filtration, dosing, and water treatment systems, allowing the washing process to be tailored to the product and the desired end result.

Step 4 – Dewatering

The Sormac Dewatering conveyor OWB removes a large proportion of the residual wash water after the washing process, forming an essential link between washing and drying. By efficiently removing excess water, the OWB reduces the load on the downstream drying equipment, improving overall process efficiency. It also ensures a consistent product flow and supports optimum product quality throughout the remainder of the processing line.

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Step 5 – Drying

As the final step in the drying process, the Sormac horizontal Centrifuge SC/NextGen efficiently removes residual moisture while preserving product quality. Its unique drum without a central shaft, and gentle product handling make it ideally suited for delicate leafy vegetables. The open, hygienic design enables fast and thorough cleaning, while the continuous product flow supports an efficient, reliable processing operation.

Automate iceberg lettuce coring with the Lettuce Corer OptiCor

The processing line can be further automated by replacing the Preparation table with the Sormac Lettuce Corer OptiCor. This advanced solution combines camera-guided positioning with automatic core depth calculation to deliver precise coring and a yield of over 95%. By automating the coring process, dependency on manual labor is reduced while product quality, yield, and process consistency are improved. For an even higher level of automation, the OptiCor can optionally be equipped with an automatic infeed system.

OptiCor OC iceberg lettuce decorer - Sormac

Frequently asked questions about the Iceberg lettuce washing and drying line

Have another question? Our product specialists are happy to help. Contact us using the contact form, and together we'll find the right solution for your processing requirements.

Yes, in addition to various lettuce varieties, the line can also process other leafy greens and cabbage varieties. These include head cabbages such as green cabbage, red cabbage, and pointed cabbage, leafy cabbages such as kale and Tuscan kale, and Asian cabbage varieties such as bok choy and Napa cabbage. This makes the line a versatile solution for processing a wide range of vegetables.

With a correctly configured and adjusted line, residual surface moisture levels of 2 to 4% are achievable. To accurately measure residual surface moisture, Sormac has developed a standardized measurement method. Contact us to learn more about this method.

The capacity of the iceberg lettuce washing and drying line is up to 5,500 lbs per hour. The actual capacity depends on factors such as the product, the required drying level, and the selected line configuration. For advice on your specific application, please contact one of our specialists.

Other leafy greens processing lines

In addition to this leafy vegetable processing line, Sormac offers a wide range of processing lines for leafy greens processing. By combining our high-quality machines, we deliver a solution tailored to your product, required capacity, and production process. Together with our specialists, you can configure the ideal processing line for efficient, reliable, and high-quality leafy vegetable processing.