Apparatus and method for blast freezing or thawing a product

A method for treating a commodity comprising the following steps:

• positioning a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;
• covering at least a top surface of the commodities for sealing said two rows of boxes along at least the top surface;
• forming a plenum between said two rows of boxes with the cover positioned on the top thereof to permit a flow of air through ventilation holes in boxes;
• pulling air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom;
• and
• providing an even flow of air through the ventilation holes in the boxes and along the two rows of boxes for evenly treating a commodity positioned in the boxes.

An apparatus for treating a commodity comprising:

• a plurality of boxes of a commodity arranged in two rows with a space formed therebetween;
• a cover position on at least a top surface of the commodities for sealing the two rows of boxes along at least the top surface;
• a spacer being positioned at least beneath adjacent boxes for providing ventilation therebetween;
• a plenum formed between said two rows of boxes with the cover positioned on the top thereof to permit a flow of air through the spacer disposed beneath the boxes;
• and
• at least one air handler positioned to pull air through the spacer disposed beneath the boxes and along a length of the space formed between the two rows and discharging the air therefrom;
• wherein an even flow of air is achieved through the spacer and along the two rows of boxes for evenly treating a commodity positioned in the boxes.