Settle tank

A Settle tank is a specialized tank designed to separate curds and whey in the cheesemaking process. It is a stationary container that allows gravity to do its work to isolate the curds from the whey, which is a crucial step in creating many varieties of cheese.

In traditional cheesemaking, heated milk is inoculated with lactic bacteria to begin the culturing process. Once this is complete, a coagulant like rennet or acid is added to the milk to cause it to thicken and curdle. The Settle tank is then used to separate the solid curds from the liquid whey.

The Settle tank works by allowing the mixture of curds and whey to sit undisturbed, with the curds settling to the bottom of the tank and the whey rising to the top. This separation can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the density of the curd and the temperature of the milk.

Once the separation is complete, the whey is drained off, leaving behind the curds, which can then be further processed into various types of cheese. Some cheese varieties that rely on Settle tanks include cheddar, Colby, Gouda, and Swiss.

There are several advantages to using a Settle tank in the cheesemaking process. Firstly, it provides a gentle method of separating the curds and whey, which helps to preserve the quality of the curds and maximize cheese yields. Additionally, it is a relatively low-tech method that does not require the use of mechanical equipment, making it ideal for small-scale artisanal cheesemaking.

In conclusion, Settle tanks are an invaluable tool in the world of cheesemaking, allowing for the efficient separation of curds and whey and opening the door to a variety of delicious cheese varieties.