Microwave boost heating ovens will increase processing speeds and final yields when added to an existing conventional cooking line. Boost ovens are used to quickly and uniformly increase product temperature. By raising the temperature of entire core of the product, there is less reliance on conductive heat transfer to achieve minimum cook temperatures. The boost heating process happens prior to the finish cook process. As a result, you can expect to reduce production dwell times, while simultaneously increasing throughput by up to 30 percent. With regard to finished product, you can expect to see an increase in overall yields, as moisture is retained and does not get driven off to reach minimum cook temperatures.
The Benefits of MW Heating
Microwave boost heating is a complete solution for both food and non-food applications. Those with a conventional cooking line may be curious about the benefits. Microwave heating will not only positively impact the final product, but it will assist production workers, system operators, your facility, and most importantly, the end users.
Here’s a list of benefits you should expect to achieve:
| BENEFIT | RESULT |
|---|---|
| Energy efficiency | Direct cost savings |
| Decreased process times | Greater throughput |
| Uniform temperature | Less product loss, higher process quality |
| Precise control | Customizable settings to fit different material |
| Decreased equipment footprint | Indirect cost savings as large drying ovens and tempering rooms become unnecessary. |
Boost vs. Conventional Heating
The benefits of microwave boost heating allow for processing times of certain materials to be 1000 times faster, when compared to conventional heat sources. Conventional heating is achieved through conduction, convection or radiation. Then, heat is applied to the surface of the material. Often times, this causes surface moisture to evaporate quickly. The remaining water in the material surfaces slowly as the heat is conducted from the surface of the material toward the center. Heat dissipates as it travels inwards. This then equates to relatively high external temperatures to ensure the center of the material reaches heat threshold requirements. Much of the heat utilized is wasted heating the air around the material.
Depending on the size of the heating cavity, the energy costs can add up very quickly. Time is also an important factor. The entire process of heating a material usually requires a ramp-up and cool-down period. This permits safe handling of the heated material. Also, the disparity in temperature between the surface and the center of the material can cause quality problems. This may result in a more difficult attempt at controlling the final temperature. In processes where exposure above a certain temperature is a problem, the resulting material loss is expensive.
Microwave boost heating and drying solves many of these problems. Boost heating is highly energy efficient because it acts only on the material in question, not the air around it. Microwaves have up to a 95 percent conversion efficiency from electricity to microwave energy. It also allows users to heat the full volume of the material at a constant rate.
Boost heating is usually more cost effective than conventional methods. Likewise, it is almost much quicker. Boost heating works fast. Other methods that may have taken several days in a thawing room can be done in a matter of minutes with boost heating.
Booster Oven Components
All industrial microwave heating ovens are comprised of:
- Generator (power supply)
- Magnetron
- Applicator
- Stirrer (radaring, rotawave, polarizer)
- Waveguide
- Suppression system
- Control box
Magnetron 
Polarizer 
Suppression system
To learn more about heating with our microwave systems, please contact our sales team to discuss customizable options built specifically for your application.