Introduction
Meat slicers are commonly used in restaurants, grocery, deli, sandwich shops, and homes. This machine is very efficient in slicing food items such as meat, cheese, sausages, vegetables, and fruits. However, even though meat slicers are essential kitchen appliances, they can transmit bacteria and also cause food poisoning if they are not well cleaned. Additionally, this machine can jam and cause fatal injury if it is not well maintained and cleaned. A recent report revealed that most meat slicers are not cleaned according to FDA guidelines. The FDA guidelines clearly state that meat slicers should be cleaned and sanitized every four hours if used in a commercial setting and after every use if used at home. Proper cleaning of your meat slicer can help prevent foodborne illness from spreading. Even the Best Meat Slicer needs to be cleaned to run smoothly and efficiently. In this article, we are going to give you tips on how to clean a meat slicer.
Things to do before you start cleaning
- Unplug the meat slicer form the power source
- Set the blade at zero
- Wear cut resistant gloves, especially when cleaning the blade
- Read and follow manufacturer instructions
- Avoid using steel wool to clean the machine. It can damage the machine
- Don’t submerge the device completely. Read the instructional manual to know when parts are dishwasher safe.
- Don’t spray or pressure wash the slicer?
- Fill two buckets with water. One bucket should have hot water and mild detergent while the other one should have clean water.
Step by step on how to clean your meat slicer
Step one: Prepare and disassemble
Wear protective cut gloves throughout the entire cleaning process. Begin by turning the machine off and unplugging the power cord from the socket. Also, turn the index knob in a clockwise direction to close the measuring plate
Step two: Clean the blades
Wipe away large food particles on both sides of the blade with a soft cloth or sponge. Spin the blades manually to ensure that you clean all corners of the blade. If the machine cannot be rotated, plug it from the device, clean it then return it once you are done. Remove all large particles from the blades.
Step three: Clean the tray, slice deflector, and center plate
Remove the tray, center plate, and slice deflector from the slicer. Wash them with a suitable detergent, rinse then allow them to air dry. Please don’t wipe them with a dry cloth, just let them air dry.
Step four: Clean the surfaces
Soak a clean cloth in warm water, and detergent solution then wipe the surface of the meat slicer. Once you are done, rinse them with fresh water then allow them to air dry.
Step five: Clean the ring guard
Soak the cloth in hot water, and mild detergent then insert it gently between ring guard and the knife. Clean the ring guard thoroughly to remove particles hidden before rinsing it with clean water.
Step six: Wipe the exterior
Wipe the exterior and other remaining parts with a wet cloth then rinse it with clean water.
Step seven: Sanitize the appliance
Sanitize the whole appliance using a suitable meat slicer sanitizing spray.
Step eight: Lubrication
Lubricate the slide roads with a suitable spay lubricant
Step nine: Drying
Allowing the meat slicer to air day. Please don’t wipe the machine with a dry cloth, let it dry naturally
Step ten: Reassemble the slicer
Once the device has air dried, reassemble all parts gently. Be very careful, especially when handling the sharp blade.
Step eleven: Clean the countertop
Move the slicer from its normal position and use a cloth to clean the place where the machine usually sits. Sanitize the area then allow it to dry before returning the appliance.
Step twelve: Reconnect the alliance to the power source
Once you have reassembled the machine and cleaned the countertop where it usually sits, reconnect it to the power source but ensure that it is switched off.
Benefits of cleaning a meat slicer regularly
- It helps to prevent food contamination
- It helps the slicer to operate more efficiently
- It makes the slicer to lasts longer
- It makes the slicer to smell and look good
- For those using a meat slicer for commercial purposes, regular cleaning enables them to pass a health inspection.
How often should a meat slicer be cleaned?
If you have just purchased the Best Home Meat Slicer, then you are probably wondering how often you need to clean it. Most manufacturers recommend that the slicer should be cleaned after every use. For instance, if you have just sliced cheese using this appliance, you should clean it immediately to keep the machine clean. For people who are using this machine for commercial purposes, cleaning should be done at least four times a day. A full clean up should be done at the end of the day.
Conclusion
Cleaning a meat slicer can help prevent food buildup that can cause foodborne diseases. It also helps to improve the efficiency of the machine. Additionally, meat slicer can transfer small food particles or flavor to other food, thus altering its pure tastes. Cleaning your meat slicer after every use can help to prevent this. So, ensure that you clean your meat slicer thoroughly after every use.
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