Separator (milk)

A variant container-separator had a nozzle at the bottom which was opened to allow the milk to drain off.

A window in the side, near the nozzle at the bottom, allowed the operator to observe when the milk was drained.

The centrifugal separator was first manufactured by Gustaf de Laval, making it possible to separate cream from milk faster and more easily, without having to let the milk sit for a time, and risk it turning sour.

When the separator is spun, the heavier milk is pulled outward against its walls and the cream, which is lighter, collects in the middle.

After separation, the cream and skimmed milk are mixed together in a certain ratio until the favoured fat content has been set.

Smaller versions of separators were called table-top models, for small dairies with only a few cows or goats.

Most modern separators use a self-ejecting centrifuge bowl that can automatically discharge any sedimentary solids that may be present, thus allowing clean-in-place (CIP).