neck freezers

Winegrowers Supplies - Neck Freezers

A neck freezer is used, after the 'riddling' operation, just before disgorging the sediment from Sparkling Wine bottles; bottles are inserted upside down.

The cooling liquid must be 'non-toxic' propylene glycol, mixed with water as specified below.
There is an electronic thermostat for temperature control; the working temperature is around -25 °C.

   Static models, 230 volts:-



  for 7 champagne bottles, 30 to 45 bottles/hour, 300 Watt, 9 litre tank for glycol-mix,
             40 cm diameter x 80 cm high, 30 kilos, 3,090 Euros

  for 10 champagne bottles, 45 to 65 bottles/hour, 800 Watt, 15 litre tank for glycol-mix,
             50 cm diameter x 80 cm high, 40 kilos, 3,990 Euros

for 32 champagne bottles, 120 to 180 bottles/hour, 1400 Watt, 60 litre tank for glycol-mix,
             85 cm diameter x 85 cm high, 80 kilos, 5,440 Euros

According to the manufacturer specifications, the 10 bottle neck freezer has a tank containing maximum 15 litres of glycol-mixture, with the following percentages:

TEMPERATURE	GLYCOL ANTIFREEZE	WATER
from 0° to -15°	30 %	70 %
from -16° to -25°	40 %	60 %
from -26° to -35°	50 %	50 %

So you need about 6 litres of 'non toxic' polypropylene glycol, to mix with water in a 10 bottle neck freezer.

The optimal temperature for neck freezing is approximately -20 to -25 °C, it's important to use just enough glycol/water mixture to achieve this.
Too much glycol would give a liquid that is more dense, which would slow down the thermal exchange and lengthen the time to freeze.

Fill up the reservoir to the desired level, according to the height of the 'ice' that you need to cover the neck of the bottles when they will be dipped upside-down.
Remember to monitor the level, and eventually adjust it, because a little could be dispersed during the work.

At this point (not before) turn on the machine, then continue as follows:-

The switch also starts the agitator for the recirculation of the liquid, on some models.

Press the button at right side marked SET and you will see a temperature that is the SET UP temperature you can select.
Raise or lower this temperature by pressing  or  arrow: the sign (-) indicates temperature under 0°.

Bear in mind that to make the temperature of the mixture colder means longer freezing time.
Also bear in mind the ambient temperature, if you try to cool the mixture to -30 °C in the height of summer you will stress the motor uselessly.

Initially set the temperature to approximately -20° to -25°. According to the ambient temperature you will need to wait for between one and three hours in order to arrive at the set temperature, or more in case of high ambient temperature over 20° and with the lower power models.

The thermostat stops the motor automatically (not the agitator) when the set temperature is reached, and you will be able to begin inserting the bottles. Remember that the time needed to freeze a bottle neck is about 2 minutes.

TA rotary models, 400 volts 3-phase:-

60 places, 400 to 450 bottles/hour, 2.0 kWatt, 130 litre tank, 300 kilos, 13,700 Euros

90 places, 550 to 650 bottles/hour, 14,640 Euros

130 places, 900 to 1000 bottles/hour, 19,900 Euros

160 places, 20,900 Euros

190 places, 21,800 Euros

215 places, 22,900 Euros

Stainless steel frame, mounted on wheels, with polyurethane insulation internally.

The rotary models have a turning table and a stirring unit to mix the cooling liquid, so that all the bottles on the table are frozen to the same degree.

Prices shown are exclusive of Vat, as at January 2025.
Delivery will need to be charged at cost.