Cream Separators, Butter and Ghee: A Small Dairy Guide
- Centrifugal force separates cream from skim milk
- Cream → butter → ghee (slow heating, then strain)
- Skim milk can be used for mala and yoghurt
- Clean every part after each run
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Cream Separator Price
| Model | Size / capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Milk Cream Separator 500LPH | 500 LPH | KSh 596,250 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 4 October 2026). Full range: Dairy processing equipment.
How Does a Cream Separator Work?
Milk enters a bowl with a stack of discs that spins at high speed. Fat globules are lighter than the rest of the milk, so the spinning pushes the skim milk outwards and lets the cream gather towards the centre. Cream and skim milk leave through separate outlets. Warm milk separates more easily than cold milk.
What Can You Make From the Cream and Skim?
| Product | From |
|---|---|
| Fresh cream | Cream |
| Butter | Churned cream |
| Ghee | Butter, slowly heated and strained |
| Mala, yoghurt, skim milk | Skim milk |
How to Make Ghee Step by Step
- Churn cream until butter grains form; drain the buttermilk and wash the butter.
- Heat the butter gently in a clean stainless pan.
- Let it simmer: the water boils off and the milk solids sink and turn golden.
- Take it off the heat once it is clear and smells nutty; do not let the solids burn.
- Strain it through a fine cloth into clean, dry containers and seal.
Ghee keeps much longer than butter because the water and milk solids are removed. Label each batch.
Cleaning the Separator
Rinse it with lukewarm water straight after use, take the bowl and discs apart, wash them with a dairy detergent, rinse and let them dry. Milk residue left in the discs spoils the next batch. See how to clean dairy equipment.
Approvals
Selling dairy products such as butter and ghee requires a Kenya Dairy Board licence and KEBS certification for packaged goods.
Watch: Milk chillers and pasteurizers
Frequently asked questions
How does a cream separator work?
It spins milk at high speed so the lighter cream collects at the centre and skim milk moves outwards, each leaving by its own spout.
How is ghee made from milk?
Separate the cream, churn it into butter, then heat the butter slowly until the water evaporates and the solids settle; strain off the clear ghee.
What do you do with skim milk after separating?
Use it for mala, yoghurt or sell it as skim milk.
Does milk need to be warm for separating?
Warm milk separates more easily than cold milk.
How long does ghee last?
Much longer than butter, because the water and milk solids are removed; keep it sealed and dry.