Commercial food steamers are designed to cook ingredients by exposing them to steam. If you are running a restaurant, having a commercial food steamer in the kitchen is not a luxury but a necessity. To maintain the food quality and ensure the smooth running of the machine, the food steamer must be maintained. As easy as it might seem, some restaurants struggle with the task. They should hire commercial appliances repair services for it. That said, we are going to share a few cleaning tips that will help make the process a lot easier.

Cleaning Your Steamer

Cleaning your steamer should not be much of a hassle. But, if you haven’t done it before, you might struggle with it. Even if you use the right products, you won’t be able to properly clean it without using the right skills. So, here is how you do it.

Empty The Cleaner

Firstly, empty the cleaner. Take a good look inside the steamer and see if there are any leftover food items. Use your soft cloth or a soft brush to remove any leftovers under tap water. Make sure that you unplug the machine from its power source before cleaning it.

If you have recently used the steamer, turn it off and let it cool down before doing anything related to cleaning. Never wash a hot electronic appliance. It could lead to injuries or permanent damage to the appliance.

Soak The Steamer

Next, remove the washable parts while ensuring that you do not get any water into the electronic components of the steamer. Even though some parts of the steamer are moisture and water-resistant, you still need to be careful. Place the washable parts in the sink in hot water.

Since it is a commercial steamer, you will not be able to soak it in water like household steamers. That said, you will need to use a mixture of detergent and water. If you want a cleaner, look for cleaners that don’t have harsh chemicals in them and they must be made for cleaning commercial kitchen appliances. Use a soft brush or a scrubbing tool to clean the washable parts.

Wash The Steamer

Once you are done cleaning the commercial steamer, you will need to rinse the washable parts as well as the steamer itself. This part is going to be slightly tricky as there is a chance of water getting into the complicated parts. You can use a little bit of water but not a bucket full.

Furthermore, you can also use a damp cloth to remove the solution. Keep in mind that the washable parts should be completely dry before placing them inside the steamer.

Cleaning Commercial Food Steamer Using A Water And Vinegar Mixture

Commercial kitchen appliances are heavy-duty machines that run almost throughout the day to serve customers. Depending on the situation, your/your staff may or may not have enough time on hands to completely clean the steamer after every use. So, your commercial food steamer may have some leftover food particles in them.

If ignored for long, these food particles will spoil and contaminate the other freshly placed food items as well. Plus, if the contamination remains for long, it might become difficult to get rid of it. However, there is no need to panic. One of the best ways to clean a commercial food steamer is by using a mixture of water and vinegar.

It will help kill bacteria and get rid of mold that could easily grow into the food if left for too long. Although you can choose between water and vinegar to clean the steamer, experts suggest using the latter as it does not leave any stains behind.

To clean the steamer, you will first need to take out any removable parts. Use a mixture of vinegar and water and take a soft brush to clean both the removable parts and the internals of the steamer. Then, scrub the cleaner and use tap water to rinse. If the accumulation or contamination is strong, you might want to pour the mixture into the steamer and run it for around 10 minutes.

This will help dissolve any leftover food bits. On the other hand, the water will help remove any marks that are left behind as a result.

This cleaning process, in parts, also applies to commercial ovens and other equipment in restaurant kitchens. However, if an equipment breaks down, consult a specialist. For example, a commercial oven repair Alexandria expert is required for fixing your oven.

How Frequently Should I Clean My Commercial Steamer?

The frequency of cleaning, inspecting, and maintaining a steamer depends on the usage. If the food steamer is used throughout the day, it would be best to clean it at the end of the work day. You do not have to do it on your own each time and can train your employees to keep things in check.

In addition to that, you should also consider investing in professional maintenance. The reason we used the term investing is because most business owners consider professional inspection and maintenance as an expense. The purpose of professional maintenance is to inspect, clean, repair, and replace parts that are not accessible or complicated.

On top of that, commercial appliances can run into a variety of problems all of a sudden considering the wear and tear they experience daily. Depending on the situation, some problems may or may not show any noticeable signs.

For instance, you might observe a strange noise but might take it easy waiting for it to go away on its own. You might also think that it is temporary and not that serious without realizing that it might damage the machine. Professional maintenance in that respect helps avoid such problems by spotting and fixing them beforehand.

The last thing you would want is the steamer giving up right in the middle of a busy day. Electronic appliances can be unpredictable and need care from the owner to avoid issues at the wrong time.

Can I Fix A Commercial Food Steamer On My Own?

Fixing a commercial food steamer can be easy and complicated at the same time. You can keep the majority of the problems away by simply ensuring proper maintenance. However, even then, issues tend to pop up, and you might need a professional by your side.

One of the reasons is that professionals possess the appropriate skills and tools to troubleshoot the issue. If your commercial food steamer stops working all of a sudden, you might not be able to get it running back in time. As a result, your business will suffer.

Therefore, you can perform basic maintenance and maybe fix issues that do not carry any risks. However, if things seem complicated, hire an expert.

Keep in mind that commercial food steamers comprise several different components. And, you wouldn’t want to damage them in the process of fixing the issue.

Conclusion

A commercial food steamer is easy to maintain if you were to keep the tips mentioned above in mind. Make sure to schedule professional maintenance and keep an eye out for unusual sounds and symptoms. Contact a commercial steamer repair Fairfax technician immediately if you notice anything uncommon. This will help extend the life of the unit and keep the business running at its pace.