Test Equipment and Measurement Instrument Blog

As a supplier of grain quality test equipment, we educate ourselves on the greatest needs in the industry and pass along best practices to our customers.

A wide array of measurement instruments and technologies exist to test the moisture in grains and seeds.  The reason for this variety is that moisture is one of the most important variables to control when growing, harvesting, processing and finally, preparing the grain for consumption. 

The right moisture levels at which to drain or harvest a crop varies from region to region and field to field.

Despite being one of the most consumed foods on the planet, rice is a difficult crop to store, requiring carefully managed conditions and vigilant moisture testing.

Purchasing equipment is important to your business, but it can be a daunting task. This is especially true when the market is flooded with equipment from companies that you do not trust, that have disappointed you in the past, or have so many products that you are not sure where to begin.

Manufacturers need to use every advantage they have to stay profitable in today’s competitive environment, especially in low margin industries such as food manufacturing, pulp and paper, chemicals or packaging.

With the second quarter of 2013 well under way, the year is quickly shaping up to be one of Kett’s busiest in recent memory. Following last month’s successful trip to Pittcon, one of our industry’s most important events, and the launch of the PQ520, our newest single grain moisture tester, I’m proud to share our latest innovation: the C130 powder whiteness tester.

The effects of too much or too little moisture content in a product’s shelf life are self-evident, especially from the consumer's standpoint. For instance, molds and other harmful bacteria ruin bread quickly when it is packaged with too much moisture. In the case of mixed goods such as salads, a bleeding of colors can occur inside the product, which is a major cosmetic issue. On the other hand, freezer burn on frozen meat lowers the quality and price. The wrong moisture measurement, whether  too high or too low, negatively affects the product , and consequently, it’s value, marketability, and usefulness.

Let’s start by looking at where shelf life begins