Category Archive: News

Steam Cleaning vs. Conventional Cleaning: Pros and Cons

Pathogenic bacteria can survive on stainless steel at room temperature for prolonged periods of time, meaning that a failure to properly sanitize surfaces in food and beverage applications can lead to harmful cross-contamination. Contaminated food products or packaging can lead to a wide range of health and safety concerns for both consumers and production workers. These risks can be largely mitigated with the implementation of regular sanitation protocols, typically using either conventional cleaning or steam cleaning.

Conventional cleaning methods rely on water in combination with strong chemicals to kill pathogens. These cleaning agents must be allowed enough time at a proper temperature in order to effectively sanitize surfaces, which can cause delays in production. Care must also be taken to avoid contaminating surfaces with the chemicals themselves, which are typically oxidizers that are toxic to humans. These chemicals may include:

  • Hypochlorites
  • Chlorine dioxide
  • Iodophors
  • Peroxyacetic acid
  • Quaternary ammonium compounds

Steam cleaning, on the other hand, offers a preferable alternative to conventional cleaning options. “Dry” steam cleaning mitigates many of the drawbacks of conventional cleaning while still providing effective sanitation. This method involves spraying surfaces with superheated jets of water which evaporate instantaneously. These bursts of dry steam kill even resistant microorganisms while producing minimal wastewater or residue.

Steam Cleaning vs. Conventional Cleaning Infographic

Conventional Cleaning

Conventional wet cleaning methods have been in place for a long time because they offer some benefits and ultimately get the job done. However, these methods also have some notable concerns for food and beverage operations. The traits of conventional cleaning methods include:

Affordable

Steam cleaning requires costs for machinery, which can be a hurdle for facilities looking to incorporate it into their routines. More conventional cleaning methods simply require cheap, easy to find chemicals and cleaning tools.

Proven

Beyond cost, conventional cleaning methods are still effective against many pathogens and contaminants—even more so when used in combination with other techniques. However, conventional cleaning may not be fully effective against all hazardous materials. For instance, many pathogens have evolved biofilms which protect them from chemical penetration.

Limited

Traditional methods inconsistently agitate surfaces, making it more difficult and time-consuming to remove stubborn contaminants. In addition, the cleaning agents themselves may be hazardous. Conventional cleaning methods increase the risk of chemical cross-contamination, which can be harmful to workers and consumers.

Steam Cleaning

As a newer, more innovative method of cleaning and sterilization, dry steam cleaning was developed with the shortcomings of more traditional cleaning methods in mind. The benefits of dry steam cleaning include:

Eagle Series Dry Steam Cleaners

Effective

Steam cleaning mechanically agitates the surface being cleaned, which increases its ability to dislodge substances and bacteria that are otherwise difficult to remove. What’s more, the process involves extremely high temperatures that can penetrate the protective biofilms of microorganisms, killing pathogens that are resistant to cleaning chemicals and breaking their bond with the surface.

Environmentally friendly

The dry steam cleaning technique minimizes the environmental impact of sanitization. Compared to conventional cleaning, steam cleaning requires extremely minimal water consumption, introduces zero chemicals into the production line, and produces next to no harmful wastewater to process. This makes the practice especially attractive to companies that want to highlight their commitment to sustainable practices.

Safety

Reducing water use lowers the chance of water damage when sanitization occurs around electrical components or sensitive machinery. It also reduces the risk of fall injuries and contamination from water borne bacteria.

Speed

Without chemicals that need to rest on the surface to kill bacteria and other pathogens, dry steam cleaning offers a much faster solution that results in significantly less downtime due to cleaning. This also facilitates more efficient use of laborers.

Although a highly safe and efficient option, steam cleaning is not without its limitations. Because of the equipment involved, steam cleaning necessarily introduces a requirement for additional maintenance and a larger initial investment.

Making the Decision

For more information about steam cleaning and how it compares to conventional methods in terms of environmental, cost, and safety benefits, you can refer to our eBook, “8 Reasons to Use Dry Steam Vapor for Food Safety & Sanitation.” Produced by the industry experts at Electro-Steam, this critical resource outlines the reasons that steam cleaning should be a part of your sanitation routine.

If you’re already sold on the benefits and want more information about proven, reliable steam cleaning equipment, get in touch with us today. 

Does Your Steam Generator Comply with ASME Standards?

Many companies and facilities around the world use industrial electric steam generators for a variety of processes and applications. Practical uses for small and safe point-of-use steam equipment are nearly endless.

Some of these include food processing plants where they are used to clean and sanitize conveyor belts and other equipment. Some are used in pharmaceutical companies for humidifying clean rooms. Others are used in hospitals and surgery centers for providing steam for autoclaves, sterilizers and bio reactors.

Even more, some are used in the beverage industry for sanitizing bottling lines, cleaning barrels and kegs in wineries and breweries.

Industrial steam generators are also used by fabricators and finishing companies for pre-cleaning and iron-phosphating metal for smoother surfaces before paint or other coatings are applied. Our generators are the ideal solution for these and many more applications as they provide point-of-use, on-demand steam easily and effectively.

ASME Requirements for Boilers and Steam Generators

Safety is always a primary concern when using pressurized steam generation systems – for the owners, their employees and operators of the equipment.  So, it is important that critical components used in building pressure vessels and boilers comply with applicable ASME Codes as outlined in ASME Code Section I. 

Steam generation systems usually contain  pumps, valves, assorted plumbing and other components used in their construction and installation. As part of the overall system these components can create, and must withstand, both high temperatures and pressures. Safety guidelines have been established for construction, installation and use of such systems. It is vitally important that they be followed. 

Pressure vessels and boilers used in North America must comply with certain state and local regulations.  Below is a compilation of such requirements- use this as a checklist to help guide your decision before purchasing a steam generator/boiler.  Is your prospective equipment:

  • Registered with the National Board
  • Piping system compliance with ASME B31.1
  • Supplied with Manufacturer’s Data Report (P2-A or P2-B)
  • Manufacturer’s Report for ASME CSD-1 made available for each piece of equipment

Section I of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code governs the design, fabrication, and inspection of pressure vessels, and boilers. As advancements in material and design, as well as improvements in technology are constantly being made, We invest heavily to ensure that our equipment stays complaint as changes in the code arise.

How to Purchase Safe & Compliant Steam Generators

Ensure your boiler or steam generator complies with the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. With the exception of our hawk series, all of our steam generators are built by an ASME Certificate holder in accordance with ASME BPVC Section I – Rules for Construction of Power Boilers (“ASME BPVC Section I”). They also comply with the requirements outlined in The National Board Synopsis of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Laws, Rules and Regulations (NB-370) RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND STAMPING section, which for many jurisdictions include but are not limited to ASME BPVC Section I, ASME CSD-1, ASME B31.1, and REGISTRATION WITH THE NATIONAL BOARD. Each boiler/steam generator purchased from Electro-Steam is supplied with a copy of the Manufacturer’s Data Report, as well as a copy of the CSD-1 upon request. We know understanding whether or not equipment complies with the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code can be difficult.

Electro-Steam’s products provide safe, efficient methods for cleaning a variety of surfaces and supplying heat and steam for various process equipment over many industries. We know that understanding ASME Code compliance can be difficult.

By drawing on our more than 65 years’ worth of experience in the steam equipment business – we are here to help.  If you’re in the market for a safe, reliable and compliant steam generator or boiler from a trustworthy and established industry leader,  please contact us today.

Contact our team

Price Increase 2019

Dear Valued Customer,

Since early 2018, Electro-Steam has and continues to experience inflationary conditions on sourced parts and materials as a direct result of tariffs levied in the US – China trade war.  The latest tariff was announced by US administration last September. This was the third 10% tariff levied on imports from China. 

As always Electro-Steam will continuously take measures to reduce expenses and mitigate the effects of increased costs of parts and materials.  As such we are currently evaluating our supply chain end-to-end to find alternative sourcing options and to assess any opportunity to lessen the impact of these tariffs.

What this means for 2019:

Electro-Steam will continue to provide the highest quality steam equipment and develop unique products to meet our customer’s ever shifting needs.  To facilitate the continuance of developing new equipment, maintaining quality assurance and to offset increased costs of parts and raw materials we are unfortunately forced to raise our prices. Effective January 15, 2019 our customers will see a price increase of an average range from 3% to 5% based on the parts and materials used to build each particular unit.  

Any quotations issued at 2018 prices will be honored if orders are placed before the quote’s expiration date.  Any quotations issued after the 1st of January will contain 2019 pricing.

Thank you for your business, loyalty and understanding!

We are looking forward to serving you in 2019.   

Happy New Year and Best Regards,

Brad Weigle
General Manager, ElectroSteam Generator Corporation.