pasteurizer

pasteurizer

A worker operates the pasteurizer in the dairy plant.

Definition
  1. Noun (countable):
    • A device or apparatus used for pasteurization; a machine that heats a liquid, especially milk, to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful microorganisms without significantly altering the taste or nutritional value.
Usage Examples
  • (A machine that heats milk to kill bacteria.)
  • (The device completed its heating process.)
  • (The essential equipment for safe milk production.)
Advanced Usage
  • "batch pasteurizer": A type of pasteurizer that processes a fixed quantity of liquid at a time, often used in smaller operations.

    • The artisan cheese maker uses a batch pasteurizer to heat small amounts of milk. (A machine for limited-volume pasteurization.)
  • "flash pasteurizer": A high-temperature, short-time pasteurizer that rapidly heats liquid to kill microbes quickly.

    • Most commercial juice is processed through a flash pasteurizer to preserve flavor. (A fast-heating device.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Pasteurization (n): the process of heating a liquid to a specific temperature to kill pathogens.

    • Pasteurization of milk was a major health breakthrough. (The heating process.)
  • Pasteurize (v): to subject a liquid to pasteurization.

    • They pasteurize the juice before packaging. (They heat it to kill bacteria.)
  • Pasteurized (adj): treated by pasteurization.

    • Only pasteurized milk is sold in most grocery stores. (Milk that has been heated.)
Synonyms
  • Sterilizer: a device that kills all microorganisms, not just pathogens (though pasteurizers only reduce, not eliminate, all microbes).
  • Heater: a general term for a device that raises temperature, but not specific to pasteurization.
Related Idioms