All food production facilities must maintain stringent sanitation protocols, but dry food processing facilities face additional
challenges. Because moisture would ruin a package of crackers, a bag of flour, or a powdered drink mix, traditional cleaning methods aren’t an option. Many companies resort to the slow, painstaking process of removing conveyor belts to wash them, or performing a tedious process of scraping, wiping, and vacuuming.
Fortunately, there’s another way. Dry steam sanitation is faster, safer, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. More and more facilities use it to meet sanitation requirements without putting their products at risk.
This process relies on high-temperature, low-moisture steam, which not only kills mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms, but also removes grease, dirt, and other grime. Because the dry steam evaporates quickly, floors, countertops, conveyor belts, and more are left clean, dry, and ready to use.
Main Advantages of Steam Cleaning in Food Processing Environments
In food processing facilities, dry steam cleaning has several advantages over traditional wash-down or chemical cleaning:
- Clean-in-Place (CIP) Technology: Instead of removing a conveyor belt to wash it down and let it dry outside the production room, commercial steam sanitation systems allow you to safely clean it in place. This saves time and labor, and it provides a more thorough cleaning, since the hot steam can get into all the cracks and crevices in the equipment that may be hard to reach manually. The steam dries quickly, so you don’t run the risk of contaminating your food products with moisture.
- Reduced Downtime: Because you don’t have to disassemble the equipment, wash it, let it dry, then reassemble it, CIP methods reduce downtime. Production improves as you spend less money on cleaning labor.
- Chemical-Free Cleaning: Harsh chemicals can damage your equipment over time, leave residue that may contaminate food, and put your employees at risk of inhaling toxic vapors or getting a chemical burn. Unfortunately, chemical cleaners are often used incorrectly—they’re either not diluted properly, or they’re mixed with something they shouldn’t be mixed with—which puts your employee at greater risk. Wet floors pose a slipping hazard, as well. Dry steam can remove layers of grease and other food residue without those hazardous chemicals and wet, slippery surfaces. It’s safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional cleaning alternatives.
Making the switch to dry steam can help your company save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase production—all while maintaining the fully sanitized facilities demanded by the industry.
Electro-Steam’s Commercial Steam Cleaning Equipment for Food Processing Facilities
At Electro-Steam, we have years of experience working with clients in the food processing industry, and we have a variety of solutions to meet your needs. These systems come in different sizes with features designed to suit a number of applications while upholding safety standards:
- Eagle Series: Built in accordance with UL 353, the Eagle Series features dual pressure controls, a high-pressure safety reset, low-level cut-off (LLCO), and a 200 psi safety valve, complete with the ASME V mark.
- Steam Master by Menikini Series: An adjustable temperature regulator allows for greater safety and adaptability, and it has a 174 psi safety relief valve with automatic pressure controls set at 145 psi. The tank and low-level cut-off system features an alarm to ensure you’re aware of low solution levels. This series is European Conformity (CE) compliant. Options include a steam gun with a 20-foot hose and an accessories kit.
- Conveyor Belt Systems: Avoid equipment shutdowns and downtime with hands-free, chemical-free cleaning. The FDA-approved materials in our steam cleaning systems can be used on plastic, vinyl, and mesh conveyor belts. You’ll meet industry standards for cleanliness, reduce labor costs, and use up to 99% less water than what you would have to use for traditional conveyor belt cleaning.
Dry steam cleaning is cost-effective, time-saving, and environmentally friendly. To learn more benefits of using steam to clean conveyor belts in food processing facilities, download our eBook, “The Benefits of Steam for Conveyor Belt Cleaning in Food Processing.” If you have any questions about our catalog and customization capabilities, please contact us. We’re happy to help you find the right steam cleaning solution for your facility.
