Definition: Cooling method using fans to circulate cold air rapidly through product packaging, significantly faster than room cooling.
Applications:
- Fresh produce cooling (palletized)
- Packaged products requiring rapid cooling
- Blast chilling/freezing
Effectiveness:
- Room cooling: 24-72 hours for same result
- Forced-air cooling: 2-8 hours to cool produce
Design: Fans create pressure differential that forces cold air through packaging vents and around products.
Related Terms: Blast Chiller, Blast Freezer, Pre-Cooling, Product Cooling