Take advantage of the latest innovations in manufacturing equipment for the production of pet kibble and pet treats from Reading Bakery Systems (RBS). We deliver an unrivaled level of commitment to superior quality and excellent customer support.
Baked or Extruded Kibble – Which is Better?
Approximately 80% of dogs eat kibble, and there are two different ways it is typically made – extruded and baked. Baked kibble may be more expensive per kg than the high-pressure extrusion process, but it has grown in popularity because pet owners want their pets to be healthy and active, and they perceive baked products to be the better option.
Extruded Kibble: This process uses pressure, heat, and a mixture of raw ingredients made into a pre-mixed dough. Extrusion forces the dough through a machine that shapes and quickly cooks it with either hot water or steam. When cool, the kibble is then sprayed with a coating of flavor, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Since the 1950s, extrusion has been the more efficient and less expensive way to make kibble.
The Reading Pretzel Low Pressure (LP) Extruder offers a flexible alternative to conventional dough forming and sheeting systems. It enables manufacturers to create pet kibble and other treats in various extruded shapes and sticks.
As long as pet kibble meets or exceeds the standards of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), extruded products can provide a complete and balanced pet diet. However, some sources report that many vitamins and minerals are removed from kibble during the extruding process.
Oven-Baked Kibble: Baked kibble is baked slowly, at lower temperatures, and the process preserves the majority of the vitamins and minerals in the product. The low temperatures keep flavors intact, creating a tastier kibble than the extruded version. The profit margins for baked kibble are also generally higher than most extruded products.
RBS offers a completely automated baked kibble production line that includes batch or continuous mixing, baking and drying equipment, and rotary moulded and extruded forming options.
One component is the Exact EX Continuous Mixer for the production of both soft/chewy and hard/crunchy kibble and other dry pet treats. The advantages compared to batch mixing include:
- No unwelcome variations between batches
- Consistent finished weight, size, and texture
- Even dough hydration
- Recipe control and repeatability
- One mixer offers high production rates
- Process is completely automated
- Chance of contamination eliminated
- Lower labor and energy costs than batch mixing
After mixing, the Thomas L. Green Portable Trough with Kibbler processes a complete batch of raw dough by slowly conveying it through rotating kibbler knives and discharging small, useable-sized dough chunks.
Next Steps
The production process of baked pet kibble differs from extrusion in several key aspects. To learn how the differences may impact your bakery manufacturing process, get in touch with Reading Bakery Systems to explore our state-of-the-art equipment and request a copy of our technical paper on the topic. Contact us today at (01) 610-693-5816 to learn more.