How often should a meat slicer be cleaned and sanitized?
If you use a meat slicer at home, then it should be cleaned and sanitized properly after every use. On the other hand, if you use a meat slicer for commercial purposes, then it should be cleaned and sanitized after every 4 hours. When you switch from one product to another, like from meat to vegetables, you should clean the slicer to guarantee the safety of your food. For a commercial meat slicer, in-depth cleaning and sanitizing should be done at the end of the day once you are done using the equipment.
What is the importance of cleaning and sanitizing a meat slicer?
Of course, you may be wondering why it is crucial to clean and sanitize your meat slicer regularly. A meat slicer is a versatile piece of equipment used to slice meat and other food items such as fruits, cheese, and vegetables. If your meat slicer is not cleaned thoroughly, food residue starts to build up, which, in turn, makes your meat slicer a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Once your home meat slicer becomes a safe haven for bacterial growth and buildup, it will contaminate your food and that could cause serious illness. Additionally, not cleaning your meat slicer properly could also lead to cross-contamination because of the transfer of food particles. This could alter the original taste of the food, making it less tasty.
The most common causes of food-related illnesses in the United States is a bacteria known as Listeria Monoytogenes. If you don’t clean and sanitize your meat slicer thoroughly after use, then it could lead to the growth of this deadly bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses that may lead to death if it’s not treated on time. The best way to keep this deadly bacteria and many others at bay is by cleaning your meat slicer thoroughly after every use. Cleaning and sanitizing your meat slicer will prevent the buildup of oil and other food residues that could lead to the growth of harmful bacteria. Lastly, cleaning your meat slicer thoroughly will also ensure that all parts function efficiently. This means that the meat slice will provide the quality results that you are looking for. It will also last for a long time because of good maintenance.
Cleaning vs. sanitizing, are they the same thing?
Most people use these two words interchangeably, thinking they are the same thing. However, that is not the case. Cleaning and sanitizing a meat slicer are completely different things. Cleaning a manual meat grinder involves getting rid of food residue, gunk, and grease from the machine using soap and water. The main purpose of cleaning is to remove food residue and grease from the slicer. Sanitizing, on the other hand, helps to get rid of harmful pathogens on the meat slicer. Once you are done cleaning your meat slicer, you should sanitize it with a chemical solution or hot water to get rid of harmful pathogens.
Steps on how to clean a meat slicer.
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Light cleaning
Light cleaning of your meat slicer should be done after every use. If you want to slice two different ingredients, you should clean the slicer first before using it again. Light cleaning should be done multiple times per day or at least once a day depending on the frequency of use. For instance, if you use your meat slicer for more than four hours per day, then it should be cleaned at least 3 times. Light cleaning will help get rid of food residues thus preventing them from building up.
Below are simple steps on how to light clean your meat slicer.
- Unplug your meat slicer from the wall socket
- Set the slicer blade to zero
- Wipe away for residues on blade carriage, product pusher, and food chute with a clean towel and hot water.
- Rinse the slicer with hot water and a clean towel.
Full meat slicer cleaning
Full meat slicer cleaning should be done once per day once you are done using the machine for the day. Full cleaning is important because it helps to get rid of all residues and bacteria that cannot be eliminated through light cleaning. It involves cleaning all parts of slicer thoroughly.
- Unplug the machine from the socket then adjust the blade to zero.
- Wipe away food residues with a clean towel
- Disassemble the meat slicer by removing the blade, product pusher, carriage, and product tray and deep all these parts in a bowl with hot soapy water.
- Wash all these parts thoroughly to remove grease and stubborn food particles then rinse them with clean running water.
- Use a suitable sanitizer to sanitize all the parts then let them air dry.
- Reassemble the parts.
Final thoughts
A manual frozen meat slicer or meat slicer machine is a crucial kitchen appliance that can make your work much easier. However, to get the best result from this machine, you need to ensure that it is cleaned often and thoroughly depending on how frequently you use it. If you use your meat slicer for commercial purposes, then it should be lightly cleaned after every 4 hours and deep cleaned at the end of the day. On the other hand, if you use it for personal use, then you should clean and sanitize it after every use. Cleaning the meat slicer will not only help to get rid of food residues and harmful bacteria but will also enhance its performance and lifespan.