Soaking and Grinding: Rice and urad dal are soaked separately, then ground into a smooth batter. Some plants use industrial grinders for this step to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Fermentation: The batter is left to ferment, which is crucial for the idlis to rise and develop their characteristic texture. In a commercial plant, this might involve controlled temperature fermentation tanks.
Steaming: The fermented batter is poured into idly molds and steamed. Large-scale idly plants use industrial steaming equipment to handle high volumes of batter.
Cooling and Packaging: Once steamed, the idlis are cooled and then packaged for distribution. Some plants also produce idli batter for customers to cook at home.
These plants streamline the production process to meet the high demand for idlis, especially in areas where this dish is a staple food. If youre looking to start or understand more about an idly plant, focusing on efficiency in grinding, fermentation control, and steaming will be key.