KitchenetteLife Editorial 
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Article, In A Short!
Are you passionate about cooking, food shaping, and presentation? If so, then you will find yourself using a best meat slicer very often. Meat slicers are not only for meat but are also versatile in slicing cheese, tomatoes, onions, and shredding cabbage or lettuce.
They even slice both raw, cooked meat and various products, which increases the risk of cross-contamination. For this reason, it’s pivotal to know how often should a meat slicer be cleaned in order to maintain hygiene.
The FDA recommends that the slicer be cleaned after every four hours if it is infrequent because leaving food residue on the blade for hours promotes bacteria breeding. Therefore for the slicer to be free from all food contamination types, the faceplate and slice should be cleaned thoroughly.
Things To Observe before cleaning a meat slicer.
There are safety measures to be observed before indulging in cleaning. This helps ensure no injuries occur as a result of negligence. The parts of a slicer are quite sharp like the blade; one has to be alert as accidents can easily occur.
- Be fully aware of the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’d thrown away the manual leaflet which came with your machine, try to search safety rules on the manufacturer’s website.
- Always protect your hands and fingers whenever you use to touch the machine to avoid getting wounded. Make sure you wear gloves that are cut resistant.
- Use metal gloves that are cut-proof when scrubbing the blade part.
- Do not try to use a dishwasher or submerge slicer when cleaning.
Pick the right cleaning material.
Not every detergent on the market will get the job done properly on your slicer. For instance, steel wool products will leave a permanent scratch on your meat slicer or even damage them. So you should avoid them when choosing your cleaning kit.
Then for completely killing many germs or bacteria, you should pick highly recommend detergent and sanitizer. You can consider Petra ULV500 Hypochlorous Acid, which is best when you want to leave the slicer sparklingly clean. It kills all bacteria and pathogens, leading to foodborne infections, and creates bacteria-free utensils and working areas.
What Is The First Step When Cleaning A Meat Slicer?
There are two types: commercial ones and home meat slicer, normally used in various food outlets, fast foods, delis, and grocery stores. With these guidelines, you can neatly and efficiently clean any type of slicer.
Make sure you understand the written instruction by the manufacturer. This will give you a better understanding of the complications of cleaning your specific meat slicer design. Even if the meat slicers are the same, some come in with advanced features.
Steps To Follow
Disconnect the appliance
Before doing anything, the first safety measure is to disconnect the power supply to the slicer and switch the machine blade setting to zero. When the appliance is hot, let it cool before cleaning.
Disassemble the slicer
This is done to ensure that every part of the slicer is cleaned thoroughly. To eliminate bacteria that can sit and build up hidden inside. You have to extract out the product tray, center plate, and slice the deflector one at a time.
A blade removal can be used to take out the blade. In the absence of the blade remover, do not remove the blade. Clean it fixed on its position and exercise great caution because a slight mistake leads to a severe wound
Sanitize the cleaning cloths
Am I preparing my sanitizing solution the proper way? How do I prepare it? If you’re pondering these questions, I will help you do that with ease and confidence.
- Half fill a gallon bucket with hot water.
- Add a cupful of bleach to hot water, and your sanitizing solution is ready.
- Soak the scrub pad and wiping cloths in.
- Make sure not to soak motorized parts.
Scrubbing
Firstly put on protective clothing that is cut resistant gloves and exercise great caution. This will protect your hands and fingers from getting injured or cut during cleaning. Then remove all the large food particles clinging on to the blade using the sanitized cloth.
Use a scrub pad that is thick to clean and remove all the many food particles clinging on. Ensure the sharpening stone should not be close by and be sure that your gauge is closed. Then remove the screw securing the blade concealment to the appliance. Don’t rush this process in order to get all traces removed.
Entire cleaning process
Cleaning a meat slicer needs dedication. In order to obtain gratifying results, you must follow these simple, streamlined tips below.
- When using a sink to clean, fill it up with hot water. Hot water aids in killing off bacteria that cannot withstand high temperatures.
- Add you detergent to the water; three squirts will be enough.
- Form some bubbles by mixing up the water and detergents. Then wash it as per the given instruction.
- Use the circular wiping motion on both sides of the blade. Make sure every part that has been in contact with food is getting a complete wash.
- Thoroughly clean the faceplate and the slicing blade to keep your slicer free from any food contamination.
- Rinse with hot water after to remove any detergent residues.
- If you are in constant use of slicer, you have to leave behind no unwanted scents, not toxic detergent. Petra ULV500 Hypochlorous Acid works best when it comes to killing all of the foodborne diseases.
Storing your meat slicer
After cleaning your meat slicer, there are some of the things to put into consideration. However, the cleaning process does not have to be a once-off process but a routine. After every use, makes sure you clean your slicer and where it sits. This practice will help you protect food from bacteria. And you will receive long years of service and efficiency from the meat slicer.
● Sanitise slicer
Apply your bleach solution on a slicer and leave it to air dry. Apply a thin cooking oil coat to the slicing blade. This will give a perfect finish to your cleaning.
● Reassemble parts
Since the blade is exposed after cleaning, reassemble the slicer immediately once you are sure that every part is dry completely. The blade is highly risk injuries can easily occur.
● Rinse
Use hot water to rinse blade and other parts; once done, take a clean towel and wipe. There is a central part behind the blade that has to be cleaned. Use a wiper to wipe the blade. Wipe all components, including the outer part of the meat slicer.
● Lubricate any metal parts
Lubricate slide rods using the spray lubricant. In case water builds up in some of the slicer areas, a lubricated non-linting towel should be used. This helps to ensure the slicer is kept rust and dust-free. Make sure not to oil electric parts.
● Replace worn out parts
When cleaning, if you identify a worn-out part, replace it immediately. The product tray, blade, and facial plate have to be replaced when they wear out or jam. Replacing gaskets is a measure to ensure good slicer performance. And they are keeping the equipment risk free. Wearing out parts is a health hazard.
● Sharpen the blade.
Cleaning compliments general maintenance of equipment when cleaning identifies and corrects the maintenance needs of your gadget. The blade should be sharp, and sharpening stones are used to keep blades sharp. Have the stone against the knife by pressing the button of the sharpening stone. In 5 to 10 seconds, you should be done. And don’t forget to disinfect the blade after sharpening.
● Clean countertop and reconnect slicer to power.
The area where your slicer sits has to be as clean as your slicer. Bacteria can harbor there and that place where the slicer has to be neatly cleaned and use a well-sanitized cloth for cleaning. Then afterward, you can reconnect the slicer to power. Safety measures have to be observed. Your meat slicer should be switched off before plugging it back if it’s not.
When is it necessary to clean the slicer?
When you are done slicing leaves, make sure to clean and sanitized the appliance. Also, if you have to slice a different type of product or meat, it’s essential to clean it. Maintain the four-hour interval when equipment is in constant use. Then when you get interrupted before cleaning, make sure to clean the appliance before using it again.
Area of concern when cleaning the slicer
Typical parts should receive extra care when cleaning the meat slicer. These include the handle of the slicer, blade guard, and ring-guard mount, among others. If they are loose parts, broken or cracked, they attract blood and meat tissues resulting in health hazards and a propane smell.
Also, keep an eye on seals, seams, and rubber gasket and replace them before they get damaged or worn out. If you do not pick out the problematic elements with a meat slicer, you can never keep it clean.
Why is it vital to clean meat slicers?
Some of the people you find working in kitchens don’t feel the need and importance of frequently cleaning and sanitizing their slicers, taking away debris, grease, and grime. However, without proper cleaning, foodborne diseases will accumulate.
A meat slicer cuts various products, meats, and deli items all the time, especially in busy set-ups. Imagine what would happen if they are to go for hours without cleaning. Here are some pivotal measures of cleaning meat slicers.
It’s a food safety measure.
You do not want harmful bacteria that turn to poison to build up near or on food. Failure to sanitize and clean the meat slicers should result in food built up and residue that promotes the brooding of harmful bacteria. This leads to food contamination once the infected slicer is used.
For longer life span.
A meat slicer that is cleaned regularly lasts longer; thus, cleaning increases durability. Saving you money as it reduces expenses and many problems.
Efficiency and effectiveness.
This also makes it operate smoothly, efficiently, and effectively. Essential parts can get damaged due to irregular cleaning, which makes it hard to see faulting parts.
A plug of risk.
To avoid harmful bacteria and fungus from building up as a result of raw material build-up. This has a danger when the slicer is used on contaminated food.
To maintain the taste and texture of products or meat.
If a meat slicer is not regularly cleaned and used to slice various products, there will be taste as well as flavor. Imagine shredding lettuce dish for a vegetarian after slicing fresh meat with no cleaning being done.
Consumer safety.
In the United States, many consumers have been victims of foodborne illness deaths. Listeria monocytogenes being the top cause of these foodborne diseases. This disease grows as a result of the use of unclean equipment and tools. And the bacteria inhabit in processed and cooked foods. When the residue that gathers from this foodborne disease is consumed, it mixes up—resulting in food taken contaminating, leading to listeriosis disease.
Keeping the fresh aroma of food.
The old particles’ smell will be passed on to freshly sliced products ending up with a polluted outlet. And this is not ideal for business.
To avoid being pushed out of business.
In order to pass the health inspection, your slicer has to be cleaned and sanitized. The government contacts surprise inspection to protect consumers. If you fail to meet the expected government standards, they shut you down.
Final Word
In a nutshell, cleaning should be a practiced habit and routine by all who work inside the kitchen. Educate yourself and others on cleanliness and hygiene when you are in contact with food. And together, we can promote world health. Any loose or worn out part on the slicers should be taken seriously to avoid injuries. Let routine cleaning be a culture. This way, you can use your slicer with ease and enjoy the great benefits that it brings along.
