Tiffany Haney
Commercial steamers are a significant investment, and proper maintenance is necessary to ensure maximum return on investment. Regular cleaning and delime procedures are essential for keeping the steamer in good condition, and the frequency of delime depends on the composition of the water used. It is important to refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions, but general guidelines include emptying the water, rinsing with clean water, and letting the unit air dry with the door open.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning commercial food steamers | Remove pan supports, baffles, and drain screens |
| Wash interior and removed pieces with mild detergent | |
| Rinse with clean water | |
| Replace all removed parts | |
| Leave door open to dry | |
| Clean air intakes weekly | |
| Avoid harsh chemical cleansers | |
| Wash inside of the machine with a cloth | |
| Focus on cleaning out leftover debris | |
| Pay attention to "touch points" | |
| Change filters regularly | |
| Set a schedule for cleaning and de-liming | |
| De-lime frequency depends on water composition | |
| Check steam cavity regularly | |
| Delime when scale build-up is noticeable |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning food steamers
Food steamers should be cleaned regularly to ensure they are working optimally and to avoid any health risks associated with contaminated food. Here are some detailed instructions on how to clean a food steamer:
Firstly, let the steamer cool down and then empty the water into a drain pan. If your steamer is electric, unplug it and be careful to avoid the base, cord, and plug when cleaning. Remove any remaining food or pieces from the steamer, either by composting them or storing them. Next, fill your sink with warm soapy water and place the removable parts of the steamer, such as the lid, inner container, and drip tray, into the water to soak. You can also use a dishcloth to wash away any residue with warm soapy water. If your steamer and its parts are dishwasher-safe, place them in the dishwasher, ensuring there is enough space for the water to clean them thoroughly.
After washing, dry all the parts of the electric steamer carefully with a clean dish drying towel. If there is any water left in the water box, turn the cooled appliance upside down over the sink to remove it. It is important to dry the steamer properly, especially if the plumbing system has hard water, as this can cause a build-up of scale. To prevent and remove lime or scale build-up, pour a mixture of white vinegar and water into the reservoir and turn on the steamer for 15-20 minutes. Then, unplug the steamer and let it cool before rinsing the reservoir with cold water.
Other important areas to focus on when cleaning your steamer are the "touch points", such as the door, latches, and control knobs, which should be wiped down with a moist cloth dipped in a mild detergent solution. Avoid using harsh or toxic chemical cleansers as the residue could affect your food. Clean the air intakes at least once a week to ensure the equipment stays cool, and change the filters regularly to reduce lime build-up. Finally, leave the steamer door open after cleaning and when not in use to allow it to air out.
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Removing parts for cleaning
To clean a commercial food steamer, you must first let the steamer cool down. Then, empty the water into a drain pan and discard it. Next, remove the pan racks, the steam collector plate, and the steam distributor panel. You may need to unscrew the four nuts by hand on the inside right wall to remove the steam distributor panel.
Once these parts have been removed, they can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The interior of the cooking chamber, including the water sensors, should also be scrubbed with a non-metallic scratch pad. Rinse the entire chamber with clean water and drain it.
After rinsing and draining, the parts should be replaced in the reverse order they were removed: first the collector plate, then the steam distributor panel, and finally the pan racks. Finally, wipe down the inside of the unit with a clean cloth.
Other removable parts include pan supports, baffles, drain screens, and gaskets. These can be washed with mild detergent and rinsed with clean water before being replaced. It is important to avoid harsh or toxic chemical cleansers as the residue could affect your food. Gentle soap and water are sufficient for cleaning.
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Cleaning with detergent
Cleaning a commercial steamer with detergent is a simple process. Firstly, let the steamer cool down and then empty the water into a drain pan. Next, remove the pan racks, the steam collector plate, and the steam distributor panel. You can wash these pieces by hand or put them in the dishwasher.
Now, make a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Wet a cloth in this solution and wring it out. Use this cloth to wipe down the steamer's interior, being careful to avoid getting it too wet so that liquid doesn't get into the controls or electrical parts. You can use plastic wool, a fibre brush, or a plastic or rubber scraper to remove any stuck-on debris.
Rinse the interior with clean water to remove the detergent, then reinstall all the pieces you removed earlier. Leave the door open to allow the machine to air dry overnight.
To clean the exterior, use the same detergent and water solution and a cloth to wipe down the outside of the machine. Be careful to avoid getting liquid on the controls or electrical parts. You can also use this solution and a cloth to clean the pan racks, collector plate, and distributor panel if you prefer to wash them by hand.
It's important to clean your commercial steamer regularly, especially if you use it with tap water, as this can lead to mineral deposits and limescale buildup. The frequency of cleaning and de-liming will depend on how often you use the steamer and the composition of your water, so check the steam cavity regularly and clean when scale buildup is noticeable.
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Air-drying the steamer
Air-drying your steamer is an important step in the cleaning process, which should be done at the end of every workday. After draining the machine, you should add 2.5 gallons of water and 1 cup of white vinegar to the cooking compartment and run the steamer for 15 minutes. Once the 15 minutes are up, drain the vinegar mixture and allow the machine to cool.
After the steamer has cooled, you can remove the pan racks, the steam collector plate, and the steam distributor panel. These pieces can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The interior of the cooking chamber, including the two water sensors, should be scrubbed with a non-metallic scratchpad. Rinse the entire chamber with clean water and then drain it.
Now, you can begin the air-drying process. First, replace the collector plate, followed by the steam distributor panel, and finally, the pan racks. Wipe down the inside of the unit with a clean cloth. Leave the door open to air-dry overnight.
It is important to clean the air intakes on a weekly basis to ensure the equipment stays cool. You should also change the filters regularly to reduce lime buildup.
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Weekly cleaning of air intakes
Cleaning your commercial steamer weekly is essential to ensure your equipment stays cool and to get the maximum return on your investment. Here is a detailed guide on how to clean your commercial steamer, focusing on the weekly cleaning of air intakes:
Firstly, ensure the steamer is switched off and unplugged, especially if it is an electric model. Allow the steamer to cool down completely. This is important, as you do not want to burn yourself during the cleaning process. Once cooled, remove any remaining food items, such as vegetables, from the steamer.
Next, remove the pan racks, the steam collector plate, and the steam distributor panel. The steam distributor panel can be removed by unscrewing the four nuts on the inside right wall. These pieces can then be washed by hand with mild detergent and warm water, or in a dishwasher. Pay special attention to the two water sensors, giving them a good scrub with a non-metallic scratch pad to remove any food residue.
After scrubbing, rinse all the pieces with clean water and set them aside to dry. Now, clean the air intakes with a gentle soap and water solution, avoiding any harsh or toxic chemical cleansers as the residue could affect your food. Use a soft bristle brush or a cloth to wipe down the interior of the cooking chamber, removing any leftover debris.
Finally, reassemble the steamer by first replacing the collector plate, then the steam distributor panel, and lastly, the pan racks. Wipe down the exterior of the steamer with a damp cloth, and you're done!
Additional Maintenance Tips:
- To prevent limescale buildup, run a mixture of water and vinegar through your steamer at the end of each day.
- Regularly check the heating element for scale buildup, especially if you have hard water, and descale when necessary.
- Keep the steamer door open after each use to prevent odour buildup and increase gasket life.
- Change filters regularly and check seals for any cracks to ensure the steamer functions properly.
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Frequently asked questions
First, let the steamer cool down and then empty the water into a drain pan. Next, remove the pan supports, baffles, and drain screens. Wash the interior and removed pieces with mild detergent and rinse with clean water. Replace the parts and leave the door open to dry.
It is recommended to clean your commercial food steamer at the end of every work day. However, the frequency of de-liming depends on the composition of the water you are using. Check the steam cavity regularly and de-lime when scale build-up is noticeable.
Before de-liming, drain the machine and add 2.5 gallons of water and 1 cup of white vinegar to the cooking compartment. Run the steamer for 15 minutes and then drain the mixture.
Avoid using harsh or toxic chemical cleansers as the residue could affect your food. Gentle soap and water are sufficient for cleaning.
