Potato-based snacks like potato chips and french fries are among the most popular and profitable products in the global food market. For manufacturers and food processing businesses, understanding the potato processing line and selecting the right potato processing machinery is essential to ensure high efficiency, consistent quality, and food safety.
In this guide, we’ll walk through:
The full potato chips and french fries processing workflow
What potato processing equipment is required at each stage
How to choose the right potato chips processing machine or french fries processing equipment
Key considerations for international buyers
Step-by-Step: Potato Processing Line Workflow
Whether producing crispy potato chips or frozen french fries, the core processing steps are quite similar at the early stages, with variations in slicing, frying, and freezing. Below is a breakdown of the standard potato chips processing line and french fries processing line:
1. Potato Cleaning and Washing
Purpose: Remove dirt, soil, and surface impurities.
Machines Used:
Potato washing machine
Seifenblasen-Reinigungsmaschine
Brush roller cleaning machine (for tough skin)
2. Peeling
Purpose: Remove potato skin while minimizing flesh loss.
Machines Used:
Potato peeling machine (abrasive or knife-type)
Often integrated with washing units for continuous flow
3. Slicing or Cutting
Purpose: Shape the potatoes according to the end product—chips or fries.
Machines Used:
Potato chips slicer – for thin, uniform chip cuts
French fries cutting machine – for matchstick or crinkle-cut fries
4. Rinsing and De-starching
Purpose: Remove excess starch to prevent sticking and browning during frying.
Machines Used:
Rinsing tanks
Starch removal system
5. Blanching
Purpose: Pre-cook the potatoes to maintain color, texture, and shelf life.
Machines Used:
Blanching machine (hot water or steam type)
6. Dewatering (for chips) / Drying (for fries)
Purpose: Remove surface moisture before frying.
Machines Used:
Centrifugal dewatering machine
Air drying machine
7. Frying
Purpose: Cook the potatoes and develop flavor and texture.
Machines Used:
Continuous fryer
Oil filter system
8. Oil Removal / Cooling
Purpose: Remove excess oil and bring product to ambient temperature.
Machines Used:
Oil removing machine
Cooling conveyor
9. Seasoning (Optional)
Purpose: Add flavoring to chips or fries.
Machines Used:
Seasoning drum
Spray system for powder or liquid flavor
10. Freezing (for french fries only)
Purpose: Extend shelf life of frozen fries.
Machines Used:
Quick freezer (IQF freezer)
11. Packaging
Purpose: Final packing for retail or wholesale distribution.
Machines Used:
Automatic packaging machine
Weighing and labeling systems
Why Choose Wanlong Potato Processing Solutions?
With over 17 years of manufacturing expertise, Wanlong Food Processing Machinery provides one-stop solutions for:
Potato chips processing lines
French fries processing lines
Custom potato processing equipment
As a direct factory manufacturer, we offer:
Customizable solutions for small to industrial-scale production
Factory-direct pricing
CE-certified machines for global export
Full technical support and layout design services
Final Thoughts
Investing in the right potato chips processing machine or french fries processing equipment is key to running a successful food processing business. Whether you need a full potato processing line or a specific machine like a french fries cutting machine, working with a reliable manufacturer ensures product quality, efficiency, and scalability.
