Sanitation and Safety

Browse below to find articles on dishwashers, disposers, oil filtration, ventilation and more.

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Maintenance for ventilation systems depends upon the type and volume of cooking as well as local codes.

Operators should consider the location of the unit. “Will it be under an ADA section of the bar?” asks Emalee Austerman, project coordinator at Camacho Associates, Atlanta. “If so, bar operators will need to make sure it will fit under the counter. Will it be in view of the customer or near customer seating? In this case, they will probably want a low-temp option with a slow start-up to avoid excess steam and noise.”

When purchasing a ventilation system, the foodservice operation’s menu and subsequent equipment lineup represent important considerations. If the menu will feature mainly grilled items on charbroilers, grease will be a factor. Also take into consideration odiferous foods.

New innovations in the category include steam elimination and energy recovery.

Regularly wipe down external machine surfaces, floor and wall surfaces.“The more typical style of undercounter dishmachine is very similar to a residential unit,” says Tom McBride, technician for General Parts in Houston. “For a bar footprint where space may be limited for both equipment and personnel, this style presents some challenges.”

Components of these units include removable upper and lower rinse arms, pump drains, detergent pumps, built-in temperature boosters for high-temp warewashers and sanitizing pumps on low-temp machines. Insulated doors, low-chemical alerts and delime alarms typically come standard. Some warewashers have digital controls on top that display water temperature and cycle information, while others can automatically extend the rinse cycle to ensure water reaches 180 degrees F.

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