Ensuring Sanitary Conditions In Your Stainless Steel Mixers And Tanks

Whether used in food manufacturing or agricultural purposes, stainless steel is the metal of choice in almost all mixing industries. This is due to steel's ability to remain durable over decades of use and uniquely neutral to most chemical, sensory and bacterial substances. It is also preferred because it is easy to clean and keep sanitized. One of the most commonly used industries for stainless steel is the food industry, where hygienic mixing conditions are particularly important. Specifically, the two food-related industries where we see sanitary conditions become the most important are the dairy and beer industries.

Both industries choose to use stainless steel mixers and tanks because of the smooth surface of the steel, its resistance to industrial conditions, its neutrality, and its ease of cleaning and sterilization. In fact, stainless steel is used in the dairy industry primarily because of its non-reaction with lactic acid formed during milk fermentation and its quick and easy cleaning process.

Cleaning and Sterilization of Tanks

For breweries using stainless steel tanks, they often use a combination of three cleaning agents to ensure sanitary conditions. First, many commercial brewers recommend Caustic (sodium hydroxide.) This alkaline agent cleans and removes organics from the tank and mixer surfaces but if left on too long it can cause damage. To prevent damage, the second cleaning agents of Muriatic acid and Phosphoric acid are used. They are used to remove calcium and neutralize any after effects of using the Caustic solution. Lastly, to improve the sanitary surface finish, brewers use nitric acid to clean equipment.

Cleaning and the sterilization of mixing tanks in the dairy industry require eradication of all contamination that may stick to the surface of the stainless steel. To do this the surfaces must be disinfected with an in depth cleaning process. The tanks can be no higher than the reach of a typical person’s hand, making sure that all surfaces can be cleaned and reached. Some tanks come with sanitizing spray nozzles but occasionally the interior needs to be hand cleaned.

Sanitizing Fixed Equipment (mixers)

Some stainless steel items in the food industry cannot be cleaned in the same manner of tanks or removable parts. In the case of mixers or slicers, all of the removable parts must be removed and sanitized. The remaining (fixed) parts need to be cleaned with hot water and a detergent and then rinsed, air-dried and covered/sprayed with a sterile solution.

Sanitary Conditions in Your Stainless Steel Mixers

Stainless steel is one of the most sanitary metals in the tank/ mixer market and by taking a page out of dairy and beer manufacturers’ books; you too can ensure the sanitary conditions of your stainless steel mixers and tanks.