Handles pieces up to 15 mm
At FoodJet, we understand that depositing chunky sauces is a common challenge in the convenience food industry. The sauce chunks may block your dosing equipment and require you to dispense the sauce through wide nozzles. In turn, this results in inaccurate depositing of the thick sauce, which additionally needs to be spread by hand.
This is why FoodJet developed the solution for this ever-returning challenge: a chunky sauce depositor. The FoodJet depositor makes it possible to deposit chunky liquid foodstuffs and spread them evenly onto your product. Don’t believe us? Let us show you.
Lasagna in trays
At a US ready-meal producer, a FoodJet food depositor is used to deposit chunky sauces evenly and keep tray rims clean for sealing. Results depend on recipe, chunk size, and tray format.
Designed for lasagna trays and ready meals
Nobody wants a lasagna tray where one bite is all sauce and the next is dry. FoodJet helps you deposit chunky sauce evenly across the tray, so every portion delivers the same taste experience. And because the depositing is (virtually) splash-free, the tray rim stays clean—making sealing more reliable and reducing rework and rejects.
Consistent sauce distribution across the tray for a uniform bite-to-bite experience
(Virtually) splash-free depositing keeps the rim clean for reliable sealing
No need for manual rim wiping after depositing
Fewer rejects thanks to cleaner trays and better seals
Who is this for?
Best for: lasagna trays, ready meals with chunky sauces
When you struggle with: clogging, uneven deposits, and manual rim cleaning
Goal: consistent coverage + clean rim for sealing
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Producing Lasagna in Trays Fast & Clean
Whether you're aiming for a smooth and even layer or prefer to add text or shapes to the sauce, FoodJet makes it easy to achieve your desired outcome.
Our depositing solution for chunky foodstuffs
Why is the FoodJet technology well-suited for this application? FoodJet depositors have an array of nozzles. They are large enough to deposit sauces with chunks up to 15 mm and small enough to have the flexibility to deposit the sauce precisely where you want it.
Each nozzle can be activated individually, allowing you to match the sauce layer to the tray size or the pattern requested by your customer. This produces products similar to classic recipes, such as lasagna and ready meals. Better even with no remaining sauce left behind on the edge of the tray.
Performance depends on recipe, chunk size, viscosity, and tray format. Feel free to send your tray dimensions and sauce type—our engineers will advise on the best configuration.
To assess fit, we typically ask:
Tray dimensions & cavities
Sauce type + chunk size (max 15 mm)
Required throughput / line speed
Target deposit pattern/coverage
Sealing method (why clean rim matters)
How it works
The pattern is selected/controlled in the software before production start
Trays arrive (vision optional to detect shift)
Nozzle array deposits evenly across the tray
Adjust pattern/volumes on the go during production
The software stores statistics (if equipped)
Why teams choose this
Operations: less manual cleaning and rework
Quality: clean rims for reliable sealing, fewer rejects
Engineering: individually controlled nozzles, optional vision technology
No clogging, no compromises on accuracy
Chunky sauces often cause blockages. Many systems use wider nozzles to cope, but as a result, that can reduce accuracy and leave sauce on the tray edges. Our individually controlled nozzle array deposits accurately across the tray and removes the need for manual spreading.
Chunky sauce vs regular sauce
Unlike regular sauces and purees, the chunks in a chunky sauce can become misaligned, causing blockages or inconsistent deposits. Additionally, the viscosity and texture of chunky sauces can vary depending on the type and size of the solids, as well as the liquid base.
This variability can make it difficult to achieve a consistent deposit and can require specialized depositing equipment and techniques, which is where the FoodJet chunky food depositor comes to play.
Key specs at a glance
Chunk size: up to 15 mm
Individually controlled nozzles (pattern & tray variations)
CIP-cleanable
Remote assistance available
Optional vision technology (shifted trays/inspection stats)
Finding the right depositor for your product
FoodJet is well known for its variety of food depositors. Whether it be butter, fat compound, batter, chocolate, jam, or sauce. FoodJet has the right solution for it. When choosing a FoodJet food depositor, it is important to consider the product that you want to deposit.
Though the core of FoodJet depositing systems evolves around the various types of depositing heads, the supporting equipment is just as essential. We therefore have developed a system that provides a complete solution for producers working with chunky sauces.
All these parts can be customized based on your preferences. Would you like to know how our depositing solution can be personalized for your production process?
- A mobile frame that is able to hold up to twenty-four depositor heads, including a retractable tray, mass supply piping, and a control cabinet.
- A depositor head with a row of nozzles that ‘jets’ droplets of sauce onto the product. The nozzles are individually controlled, allowing to fire droplets with varying volumes.
- User software allows the operator to graphically design patterns for depositor heads. This allows to deposit droplets accurately and in any shape.
Advanced vision technology
The challenges of depositing chunky sauce include dealing with varying product shapes and misalignment during the process. Fortunately, FoodJet has engineered its chunky food depositor that specifically addresses these issues.
Unlike other depositing technologies that are fixed in position, this depositor can automatically adapt to changing circumstances, such as trays that have shifted on the conveyor.
FoodJet's chunky food applicators can be equipped with a camera system that detects and inspects baking trays, providing statistical information on production throughput and quality control. This vision technology enables you to optimize your production and improve overall quality. Additionally, this equipment can handle high production speeds and can apply chunky sauce even on inconsistently placed baking trays.
FAQ
Expand your horizons: discover alternative depositing solutions
The depositing solutions of FoodJet are always tailor-made to suit the needs and wishes of your production process. This means that no machine is exactly the same! This allows us to manufacture depositing solutions for a wide range of depositing materials. Take a look at our similar applications:
Pizza sauce depositing for industrial pizza lines
Butter on sandwiches
Even butter layers for a smooth texture and great taste