Foster XR20 Blast Chiller 20kg 5 Grid

The Foster XR20 is a self-contained blast chiller designed to bring cooked food from +70°C down to +3°C within a controlled 90-minute cycle, keeping production firmly within food safety guidelines. It accommodates five grids and is rated for 20kg loads per cycle, making it a practical choice for kitchens that prepare food in volume and need a dependable, repeatable chilling process built into their daily workflow.

In a busy kitchen environment, the XR20 holds up well against the demands of regular batch chilling. The microprocessor controls allow operators to select between hard and soft chill programmes depending on the product being cooled — soft chill for delicate items such as mousses or custards, hard chill for dense proteins and bulk preparations. This flexibility reduces the risk of spoilage from inappropriate chilling rates and gives production teams reliable, consistent results across different menu items.

From an operational standpoint, several design decisions make day-to-day use straightforward:

• No visible screws or internal dirt traps, which simplifies cleaning and reduces the time needed for end-of-service hygiene routines
• Stainless steel interior and exterior finish, consistent with industry expectations for food-safe surfaces
• 75mm shelf spacing, allowing standard GN trays and grids to load without adjustment
• Hydrocarbon refrigerant, which carries a lower environmental impact and is well supported across the UK refrigeration service network
• Microprocessor controls that log and manage the chilling cycle, supporting due diligence records

Installation is relatively straightforward compared to larger remote-condensing units, as the XR20 is self-contained with an integral condenser. That said, adequate ventilation in the immediate area is important — placing the unit in a confined or poorly ventilated space will affect performance and may shorten component life. The unit requires a standard electrical supply; confirmation of the exact electrical specification should be verified against the technical datasheet before installation. It is suited to kitchens where floor or counter space is at a premium but a capable blast chiller is still operationally necessary.

The XR20 is well suited to restaurants, hotel kitchens, contract caterers, and school or care catering operations producing moderate volumes. It works particularly well where cook-chill production forms a structured part of the menu cycle. Sites with significantly higher throughput or larger batch sizes may find a higher-capacity model better aligned to their needs, and it is worth discussing load volumes and cycle frequency before committing.

If you are unsure whether the XR20 is the right fit for your kitchen's output or workflow, the team is happy to talk it through before you make a decision.