Spiral design produces excellent product quality while reducing operating costs

In the bacon industry, product quality and lower cost of production are of utmost importance. To achieve this goal, the Stein GCO II GYRoCOMPACT® spiral oven from FMC FoodTech is a superior alternative for bacon processors using conventional microwave ovens. For both fully and partially cooked bacon products, the GCO II oven offers better steam containment and superior temperature control across the belt width to deliver a more consistent, better quality product.

Unlike a conventional microwave, the GCO II spiral oven has a very small footprint while still providing high production volume. It has a lower overall energy and operating cost than a conventional microwave, with greater advantages at high volumes of production. The GCO II also offers the opportunity to add future capacity within the same footprint.

“It is important to note that the average yield is the primary measurement – not temperature, in bacon processing,” says Ramesh Gunawardena, manager of technology and process development for FMC FoodTech. “Therefore, though some product quality differences are apparent with conventional microwave processing across the belt width, the overall results are judged to be adequate. This is not the case with the GCO II. Its superior cross-belt temperature control allows production at a lower standard temperature deviation, thereby producing more consistent and superior overall product quality.”

The re-engineered drive system in the GCO II oven has an expected lifetime of three years before requiring a rebuild (which is better than industry standard), and offers as much as 30 percent reduction in annual maintenance savings. The oven is capable of running faster and carrying more load, resulting in increased throughput of 30 percent to 40 percent, depending on the products.

The GCO II oven offers MultiPhase™ cooking, consisting of two distinct cooking processes that provide a more uniform and consistent product quality across the belt width. The initial phase uses steam condensation, followed by convection of a superheated steam-air mixture to quickly cook the bacon. By providing the right mode of heat transfer at the right time in the cooking process, MultiPhase cooking delivers moist, tender bacon products that are pleasing in taste and appearance.

The GCO II oven is available for testing in the FMC FoodTech Food Processing Technology and Training Center in Sandusky, Ohio. For more information about the GCO II oven or to schedule testing, please call 800-447-2630 or visit www.fmcfoodtech.com.

About FMC FoodTech

FMC FoodTech is a business of FMC Technologies, Inc. and is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., USA. A market leader in the supply of technology solutions for the global food industry, FMC FoodTech offers integrated solutions across the entire food processing continuum from meat, seafood and poultry, to fruits and vegetables, beverages, juice and milk and convenience foods.

Wherever food is cooked, frozen, packaged, portioned, preserved, processed, squeezed or sterilized, FMC FoodTech provides superior technologies and services to the world’s food processors–small and large. The company represents more than 30 highly respected product brand names including Frigoscandia Equipment, Stein, DSI, Citrus Systems, Food Processing Systems and FranRica.

For more information on FMC FoodTech, visit the company’s Web site at www.fmcfoodtech.com.



FMC Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of technology solutions for the energy industry and other industrial markets. The Company designs, manufactures and services technologically sophisticated systems and products such as subsea production and processing systems, surface wellhead systems, high pressure fluid control equipment, measurement solutions, and marine loading systems for the oil and gas industry. The Company also produces food processing equipment for the food industry and specialized equipment to service the aviation industry. Twice named as the Most Admired Oil and Gas, Equipment Service Company by FORTUNE magazine, FMC Technologies employs approximately 12,000 people and operates 33 manufacturing facilities in 19 countries. For more information visit www.fmctechnologies.com.