Understanding Your Freezing and Tempering Options

At Constellation Cold Logistics, we know that no two products – or supply chains – are identical. That’s why our range of freezing and tempering methods lets us tailor every cold-chain solution to the product type, volume, packaging and timing that works for you.

Whether you need to freeze fresh meat in hours, blast-freeze packaged meals overnight or thaw delicate fillets with surgical precision, we have the expertise and infrastructure to ensure that you meet your goals. Our freezing and tempering options deliver the versatility to protect your product quality, control costs and respond to changing conditions at a moment’s notice.

In this article, our service experts Andreas Berthelsen and Pien van Winkoop explain the different freezing and tempering options we offer – and how each method can be matched to your specific operational needs.

Freezing

Freezing starts with the straightforward goal of bringing a product’s core temperature to –18°C as effectively as possible (in the long term we plan on increasing this core temperature to -15°C as part of our climate plan). 

We use three different freezing methods across our network: plate freezing, blast freezing and chamber freezing. Let’s look at them one by one.

Plate Freezing 

Plate freezing works by pressing your product between two flat, refrigerated metal plates. These plates apply cold directly and evenly, making this one of the fastest and most efficient ways to freeze unpackaged or block-shaped goods – such as boneless meat blocks, fish fillets or dairy bricks.

Because the cold comes into direct contact with every surface, a 20kg block can reach a core temperature of –18°C in under four hours. We can also stack up to 400kg per level, helping us use space efficiently and handle high volumes with ease.

The speed of plate freezing helps prevent the formation of large ice crystals, which can damage the natural structure of the product. That means better texture, more moisture retained, and fresher results when the product is thawed and used later.

Blast Freezing 

Blast freezing works by blowing ultra-cold air – typically between –30°C and –40°C – at high speed through a freezing tunnel or room. This cold air surrounds each item and quickly brings its temperature down, making it ideal for products that arrive already boxed or packaged, such as hanging meat, ready meals or seafood.

Because it doesn’t rely on contact with the product, blast freezing is highly flexible and works well with different packaging types. It’s also fast: we can reliably bring products down to a core temperature of –18°C within 24 to 48 hours. Because it works quickly and effectively, your product retains its taste and freshness. This makes it a perfect way of freezing in terms of food safety.

That combination of speed, consistency and traceability makes blast freezing a dependable choice for food safety, regulatory compliance and high-quality results.

Chamber Freezing 

Chamber freezing is a slower, more cost-effective method. Full pallets are placed into a cold room, where the temperature gradually drops until the product reaches –18 °C. This process can take several days, depending on the product and how cold it is when it arrives.

Because the product stays on the pallet throughout, there’s minimal handling involved, which helps reduce labour and lower costs. It also uses less energy than other methods, making it a good choice for long-term storage or less sensitive products.

The slower freezing process can lead to larger ice crystals, which isn’t ideal for delicate items, but works well for non-perishables or goods that are already close to their target temperature. Chamber freezing strikes a good balance between cost, space and performance.

Tempering

Tempering – i.e. controlled thawing – is essential for preparing frozen products for processing or sale. Do it right, and you avoid drip loss, texture damage and uneven warming. Constellation’s tempering options give you the precise control your products need.

Pallet Tempering

Pallet tempering involves placing entire pallets into a temperature-controlled tunnel, where carefully regulated air gradually raises the product temperature over a 48-hour cycle. This slow and steady process ensures the goods are warmed evenly from top to bottom.

Because the product remains fully packaged and on its pallet, there’s very little handling required, which helps reduce the risk of damage and keeps labour costs down. The gentle airflow also helps minimise moisture loss, preserving the product’s natural texture and appearance.

This method is ideal for large volumes of consistently packaged goods – such as meat blocks or ready meals – where uniformity, reliability and efficiency are key.

Tray Tempering

Tray tempering gives individual items the attention they need. Each piece – such as a cut of meat, fish fillet or speciality order – is placed on a tray and exposed to carefully controlled airflow in a temperature-controlled room.

By separating items like this, we can achieve more precise results, making sure every product reaches the right temperature without over-warming or damaging delicate structures. This method is perfect for irregularly shaped, high-value or fragile goods where appearance, texture and flavour all need to be preserved.

Tray tempering is especially suited to speciality cuts, premium items or bespoke orders where quality must be carefully maintained.

Microwave Tempering

Microwave tempering is the fastest method we offer. It uses focused microwave energy to warm frozen products from –18°C to around –6°C to –8°C in just a few minutes – typically within 2 to 3 minutes per item.

This technique is ideal when time is short, whether you’re responding to a last-minute order or keeping up with a fast-moving production line. Because the microwaves penetrate the product, heating it from the inside out, it delivers quick, even tempering with minimal moisture loss.

When you need rapid, reliable results without compromising on quality, microwave tempering provides unbeatable speed and convenience.

Choose the right cold chain partner for your freezing and tempering needs

At Constellation, our experts will work with you to understand your priorities, forecast volumes and assess delivery timelines to ensure that you get the best freezing and tempering service for your product. We’ll recommend the ideal combination methods to protect your goods from production line to plate, optimise your budget and keep your operation agile.

With Constellation’s broad spectrum of freezing and tempering options and our expert guidance, you receive a truly bespoke service every time. We adapt, innovate and execute so your products arrive in perfect condition, no matter the challenge. 

Get in touch today.