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3.3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
CLEANING AND SANITIZING
Softserve andshake machines require special consider-
ationwhenitcomestofoodsafetyandpropercleaningand
sanitizing.
The following information specifically covers issues for
cleaning and sanitizing frozen dessert machines. This
informationismeanttosupplementacomprehensivefood
safetyprogram.
Soil Materials Associated with Frozen Dessert Ma-
chines
MILKFAT/BUTTERFAT – As components of ice-cream/
frozen custard mix, these soils will accumulate on the
interior surfaces of the machine and its parts. Fats are
difficulttoremove and helpattributeto milkstone buildup.
MILKSTONE–Isawhite/grayfilmthatformsonequipment
andutensilsthatareexposedtodairyproducts.Thesefilms
willaccumulateslowlyon surfaces becauseofineffective
cleaning,useofhardwater,orboth.Milkstoneisusuallya
porousdeposit, which will harbor microbial contaminants
andeventuallydefysanitizingefforts.
Once milkstone has formed, it is very difficult to remove.
Without using the correct product and procedure, it is
nearly impossible to remove a thick layer of milkstone.
(NOTE: general-purpose cleaners DO NOT remove
milkstone.)Thiscanleadtohighbacteriacountsandafood
safetydilemma.
IT IS BEST TO CONTROL MILKSTONE ON A DAILY
BASISBEFOREITCANBECOMEASIGNIFICANTFOOD
SAFETYPROBLEM.
Inadditiontofoodsafety,milkstonecancausepremature
weartomachineparts,whichcanaddtocostsforreplace-
ment parts or possibly more expensive repairs if worn
machine parts are not replaced once they have become
excessivelyworn.
Important Differences Between Cleaning and
Sanitizing
CLEANINGvs.SANITIZING
Itisimportanttodistinguishbetweencleaningandsanitiz-
ing. Although these terms may sound synonymous, they
are not. BOTH are required for adequate food safety and
propermachinemaintenance.
CLEANING
• Isthe removal of soil materials from a surface.
• Isaprerequisiteforeffectivesanitizing.
NOTE
An UNCLEAN surface will harbor bacteria that can
defy sanitizing efforts.
Bacteria can develop and resist sanitizing efforts within a
layerofsoilmaterial(milkstone).Thoroughcleaningproce-
duresthatinvolvemilkstoneremovalarecriticalforopera-
torsof frozendessert machines.
SANITIZING
• Kills bacteria.
• Canbeeffectiveoncleansurfacesonly.
NOTE
Using a SANITIZER on an unclean surface will not
guaranteeacleanandsafe frozen dessertmachine.
Proper Daily Maintenance:
TheOnlyWaytoAssureFoodSafetyandProductQuality
Proper daily maintenance can involve a wide variety of
productsandprocedures.Overall,theproductsandproce-
duresfallintothreeseparatecategories.(Pleasenotethat
thisisabriefoverviewintendedforinformationalpurposes
only.)
1. CLEANING– This involves draining mix from the
freezing cylinder and rinsing the machine with
water.Next,acleanerisrunthroughthemachine.
Then,themachineisdisassembledandremovable
parts are taken to the sink for cleaning.
2. MILKSTONE REMOVAL – Since most cleaners
donothavetheabilitytoremovemilkstone,theuse
of a delimer becomes necessary. Although this
procedure may not be needed on a daily basis, it
willusuallyfollowthecleaningprocedure.Itrequires
lettingadelimersolutionsoakinthemachineforan
extendedperiod.Individualpartsarealsosoaked
inadelimingsolutionforanextendedperiodoftime
(moreaboutdelimersinAdditionalInformation).
3. SANITIZING–Afterthemachinehasbeencleaned
and contains no milkstone, the machine is
reassembled. Then a FDA-approved sanitizing
solutionisrunthroughthemachinetokillbacteria.
Themachineisthenreadyforfoodpreparation.
As a recommended cleaner and sanitizer for your frozen
dessertmachine,STERA-SHEENhasproventobeoneof
thebest daily maintenance productsfor:
• CLEANING – Thorough removal of all solids
includingbutterfat andmilk fat.
• MILKSTONE REMOVAL – Complete removal of
milkstone.
• SANITIZING–FDA-approvednorinsesanitizerfor
foodcontactsurfaces.
Additional Information
THEUSEOFDELIMERS
A delimer is a strong acid that has the ability to dissolve
milkstone. This type of chemical may become necessary
oncehighlevelsofmilkstonehavedeveloped.Whilethese
products are very effective for removing HIGH levels of
milkstone, they are not ideal for two reasons:
1. PRODUCTSAFETY–Strongacidsaredangerous
chemicals. Carefully follow safety instructions
providedwithdelimerproducts.