Spice filling machine: key points in 30 seconds
Technical summary:
Spices are extremely diverse. They can be found as grains, microgranules, small leaves, sticky powders or dusty powders. For example, ground cinnamon is much more dusty than smoked paprika, turmeric or ras el hanout. Chervil, composed of small leaves, is very fragile and must not be damaged during dosing.
To package a wide range of spices, it is more appropriate to choose a vertical auger filler. Vertical auger dosing allows all types of powders to be filled with precision, cleanliness and speed, without damaging fragile products.
In this article, we summarize the most common questions from our clients looking to invest in a spice filling machine. You will discover best practices for selecting the right dosing technology, managing the constraints related to different types of spices, and choosing the appropriate tooling.
Our approach follows the MOM logic: characterize the product, choose the appropriate filling technology, and validate performance through real-condition testing with your product and final packaging.
Spices: a wide range of types
Powders, grains, microgranules, leaves
Spices are extremely diverse. They can be found as grains, microgranules, small leaves, sticky powders or dusty powders. For example, ground cinnamon is much more dusty than smoked paprika, turmeric or ras el hanout. Chervil, composed of small leaves, is very fragile and must not be damaged during dosing.
Same product family, very different behaviors
It is not uncommon to observe differences in physical properties between two batches of the same spice. Essential oil concentration is not always the cause; the quality of the spices themselves also plays a key role. Moreover, some spices are particularly expensive. It is therefore important to use versatile equipment that minimizes product losses. These losses can be caused by poor dosing accuracy, long format change times, insufficient cleanability or non-hygienic design.
What packaging is used for spices?
Bottles and high-speed packaging
We refer to high-speed machines when they fill more than 60, 80 or 100 bottles per minute. On a high-speed machine manufactured by MOM, all parts of the rotary table, including star wheels and selection screws, can be dismantled in less than 5 minutes, without tools and without rushing. Foolproof systems on each component ensure that format parts are always reassembled correctly, with no risk of error.
Format changes and cleanability
Whether you are looking for a high-speed, medium-speed or semi-automatic spice filling machine, pay attention to the ease of disassembly of product-contact parts AND format parts. For other product-contact components, as with semi-automatic machines, disassembly is simple and takes less than 5 minutes. Particular attention has also been given to dust extraction.
Which filling machine for spices?
The question of dosing type
Regarding dosing technology, it is often assumed that gravimetric filling provides the best accuracy. This is not always true. Gravimetric dosing is effective for doses above approximately 50 g. For grains, such as peppercorns, gravimetric dosing can also be preferred due to the weight of each grain.
The case of powders and small doses
For powders, especially for small doses of a few tens of grams, volumetric dosing is very precise: as long as the level in the hopper remains constant, the dispensed volume remains constant. When handling a wide variety of spices, the solution is to use a gravimetric filler capable of operating in volumetric mode. For small doses, volumetric mode is used. For granules, the system switches to gravimetric mode.
The case of grains
When dealing with grains, compaction inside the container is often required. This is achieved through vibration during filling. If you are using gravimetric dosing, you may question its accuracy when vibrations are involved. Today, the most advanced manufacturers integrate vibrators into gravimetric filling stations without loss of accuracy. Ask suppliers to demonstrate this through testing on their machines.
Comparison of filling technologies
| Type of spice | Optimal technology | Type of dosing | Why | Points of attention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dusty powders (cinnamon…) | Vertical auger | Volumetric or gravimetric | Accuracy + dust control | Dust, cleanliness |
| Sticky powders (turmeric…) | Vertical auger | Volumetric | Consistent dosing with stable level | Caking, adhesion |
| Microgranules | Vertical auger | Volumetric or gravimetric | Versatility | Product variability |
| Grains (pepper…) | Vertical auger or gravimetric | Gravimetric | Suitable for unit weight | Compaction, vibration |
| Leaves (chervil…) | Vertical auger | Volumetric | Product protection | Fragility |
Why the vertical auger filler is often the right technology
Vertical auger dosing allows all types of powders to be filled with precision, cleanliness and speed, without damaging fragile products. For packaging a wide range of spices, it is therefore the most suitable solution. Not all spices behave the same: some flow easily, such as certain curry blends or ground nutmeg, while others, like cinnamon, tend to stick and generate dust. MOM high-speed machines are equipped with systems that allow even the most dusty powders to be dosed while keeping bottle necks clean.
Our range of spice filling machines
Whether you are looking for a high-speed, medium-speed or semi-automatic spice filling machine, focus on the ease of disassembly of product-contact parts and format parts. On MOM high-speed machines, all parts of the rotary table, including star wheels and selection screws, can be dismantled in less than 5 minutes, without tools. You have to see it to believe it. Feel free to contact us to watch a video or test the machine in our facilities.
In response to customer demand, high-speed spice filling machines can also operate in semi-automatic mode. In this configuration, the dosing head rotates to allow operators to handle specific products safely and comfortably. Our range is the result of a long partnership with spice packers. It is thanks to our customers that we have reached this level of quality.
Product feeding
For powders, especially for small doses, volumetric dosing is very precise as long as the level in the hopper remains constant. Maintaining a constant level is therefore a key condition for consistent dosing.
Testing and validation of spice filling machines: what to check
If you are considering gravimetric dosing, you may question its accuracy when vibrations are involved. Today, the most advanced manufacturers integrate vibrators into gravimetric filling stations without loss of accuracy. Ask suppliers to demonstrate this through real tests. Feel free to contact us to watch a video or test the machine yourself.
The key points to check are directly derived from the content of this page:
- dosing accuracy,
- ability to handle small doses and doses above 50 g,
- filling cleanliness,
- dust management,
- loss reduction,
- ease of disassembly,
- speed of format changeover,
- ability to handle fragile products without damage.
Conclusion
Spices exist in many forms: grains, microgranules, leaves, sticky or dusty powders. Their properties can vary not only between products but also between batches. Some spices are expensive, making loss reduction essential. For powders, especially in small doses, volumetric dosing is very precise if the hopper level remains constant. For grains, gravimetric dosing can be preferred. When packaging a wide range of spices, a vertical auger filler is the most suitable solution, ensuring precision, cleanliness and speed while preserving fragile products.
Louis Derangère
CEO of MOM Packaging — Industrial automation engineer and precision dosing expert.