The comparison of traditional rice milling and modern rice mills
The rice milling process stands as a pivotal post-harvest operation, evolving over time from traditional practices to the contemporary realm of automatic and semi-automatic mills. This article aims to unravel the distinctions between traditional rice milling and the modernized approach embraced by state-of-the-art rice mills.
Traditional Rice Milling:
In the tapestry of traditional rice milling, often known as Village milling, rural communities relied on methods like hand pounding of paddy in mortars with pestles. This age-old practice involved inducing forces on grain against grain to remove husk and bran layers. The final cleaning, an artful winnowing process in woven bamboo trays, separated unmilled paddy grains.
Single Stage Rice Mill:
The evolution brought forth the single-stage rice mill, an adaptation of the “Engleberg” coffee huller from the United States, modified for milling rice. Although popular in its time, this method faced drawbacks:
- Low rice yield.
- Higher broken rice rate.
- Substantial labor consumption.
Modern Rice Milling:
In contrast, modern rice mills have revolutionized the industry with efficiency and automation. A contemporary rice mill’s flow chart showcases a seamless process:
Paddy Cleaner:
An all-purpose separator efficiently sifts large coarse materials and small fine materials during cereal cleaning, accompanied by a destoner.
Paddy Husker & Paddy Separator:
Sorting all rice varieties with precision, this stage separates a mixture of paddy and brown rice into three distinct classes: paddy, a mixture of paddy and brown rice, and brown rice. Each class is directed to the next processing stage accordingly.
Rice Polisher:
Enhancing the quality of finished products, the rice polisher cleans the surface of rice to meet the desired standards.
Additional Processes (for Large Rice Milling Factories):
For larger operations, additional components such as graders, color selectors, and more ensure the production of rice with varying qualities.
Advantages of Modern Rice Mills:
Modern rice mills present a paradigm shift in rice processing, offering advantages like automatic operation, increased capacity, and reduced labor consumption. This modern approach has gained popularity, especially in industrial settings.
Conclusion:
The journey from traditional rice milling to modern rice mills reflects the dynamic evolution of agricultural practices. As technology continues to shape the landscape, embracing the efficiency and precision of modern rice mills becomes not just a choice but a necessity for those seeking sustainable and high-quality rice production.
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