5 Steps for Maintaining Sanitary Stainless Steel Food Services Equipment

By websitebuilder • 13 June 2016
Whether you run a dairy processing plant or a local butcher shop, you likely rely heavily on stainless steel trays, trolleys and mechanised equipment. Stainless steel provides one of the most sanitary and durable surfaces, making it an obvious choice in food service settings.

However, to keep your stainless steel safe, clean and useable over time, you must start with the correct metal and perform routine maintenance.

In this blog, we guide you through the process of maintaining sanitary stainless steel equipment when you process or serve food.

1. Choose Stainless Steel Equipment With the Correct Finish

Contractors use stainless steel in a wide variety of applications, including in domestic homes and commercial kitchens. Because stainless steel has so many uses, it comes in a number of finishes.


When you commission custom equipment or purchase standard equipment, double check that you choose a foodgrade finish. Your equipment must strictly adhere to food sanitation standards in your area. Your fabricator can help you decide on the correct finish for your industry.

2. Place Your Equipment Within Reach of Your Employees

Most stainless steel machinery used for food-related tasks requires frequent cleaning. To make this process easier and safer for your employees, place all your equipment within reasonable reach.


Additionally, train your employees to correctly disassemble, clean and reassemble each piece of equipment

3. Separate Detachable Components From Stationary Pieces

Mixers, trolleys and fermentation receptacles often have multiple components that fit together. When you clean your equipment, ensure that you remove all detachable parts and clean them separately from the fixed components. This step prevents hidden corrosion and cross-contamination.


If possible, clean all detachable pieces by hand and allow all of your equipment to air dry before you reassemble it.

4. Clean Away Organic Contaminants

When you work with food products, especially meat, dairy and fermented liquids, your equipment can gather organic contaminants which stick to the surface. Your first step when you clean is to eliminate these remnants.


Use an alkaline cleaning solution. Most brewers and dairy processing companies use cleaning agents with sodium hydroxide for this purpose.

5. Neutralise Harsh Cleaning Solutions

Once you get rid of organic contaminants, immediately move on to the next step. Harsh cleaners can etch or corrode stainless steel if left on too long.


To neutralise the sodium hydroxide and remove inorganic contaminants, clean with muriatic acid and phosphoric acid.


If you have questions about commissioning or maintaining a specialised piece of equipment, speak to one of the knowledgeable staff members at AJC Metal Products Pty Ltd. We have decades of experience with metal used in a variety of industries, including food services. We're happy to help you get the most out of your stainless steel products.

Don't Forget Your Home's Electrical System While Making Your Spring Cleaning List

by By websitebuilder • 16 October 2016
It's hard not to get excited when the temperature starts to rise, and the leaves begin to grow back on the trees. Spring means summer is on its way, and this season is one when many homeowners make a list of chores to tackle before it gets too hot. One important task many homeowners overlook when making the spring clean list is a check of the home's electrical system. There are three ways your electrics benefit from a once-over by an electrician before heavy usage begins.

4 Reasons to Hire an Electrician to Install Your Smoke Detectors.

by By websitebuilder • 16 March 2016
You've recently built a new home, and you want to do everything you can to protect it. You've purchased a comprehensive insurance policy. You've installed security fencing and lighting. And you've carefully landscaped your property to minimise bushfire risks. All these extra investments have sapped your budget, and you still need to install a few smoke detectors to finish the job. Battery-powered detectors seem like a simple, straightforward and affordable approach, and you know you can easily place a few on the ceiling yourself. But before you move forward with that idea, keep in mind that you should hire an electrician to install and replace your smoke detectors for the following reasons.

Are You Smart About Your Switchboard?

by By websitebuilder • 16 February 2016
During the course of a typical day, you may not think much about your electrical system. When you reach out to turn on the lights or power up an electronic device, you expect your electrical output to respond automatically. However, if you often deal with blown fuses, tripped circuits or flickering lights, your electrical switchboard may need some prompt a ttention. Smart home or business owners pay attention to these signals before further problems arise.