How to Clean a Commercial Steam Kettle
Commercial steam kettles can prepare large quantities of soups, stews and other liquid-based foods quickly and thoroughly, making them critical pieces of equipment in many foodservice kitchens. If you’re looking for information on how to maintain your essential unit, this guide on how to clean a commercial steam kettle will help you keep your unit safe, sanitary and efficient.
Supplies
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent
- Cleaning Cloths
- Long Tool, such as a Nylon Brush for kettles
- Soft-Bristle Scrub Brush
- Sanitizing Solution
- Stainless Steel Cleaner
- Bucket (for emptying the unit)
Clean the kettle at the end of each day and before cooking a different type of food. Don’t use harsh chemicals like bleach or abrasive cleaning tools such as metal scrubbers since these can damage the unit. Avoid using hoses or power washers, too.
Pre-Cleaning Procedure
- Step 1. Turn off the kettle - Use the On/Off switch to power down the unit.
- Step 2. Unplug the unit - Disconnect the power cord from the outlet in order to avoid electrical hazards.
- Step 3. Let the unit cool down, but not completely - Allow the kettle to cool down enough so that it’s safe to touch the surfaces, but not completely: a bit of residual heat will make it easier to remove residues.
Cleaning the Interior Surfaces
- Step 1. Scrape the interior - Clean the unit with a long tool or nylon brush.
- Step 2. Add water and continue scraping - Pour water into the unit and continue scraping to remove any stubborn residues.
- Step 3. Empty the kettle - Once you’re done scraping, tilt the unit to pour out the water and any loose debris.
- Step 4. Wash the interior - Pour a solution of warm water and mild dish soap into the kettle, then use a soft-bristle scrub brush to clean the interior surfaces.
- Step 5. Drain the kettle - Empty the unit after cleaning.
- Step 6. Rinse the unit - Wash away any remaining soap suds or stuck-on debris by adding clean, warm water into the kettle and then wiping the interior surfaces with a soft cloth.
- Step 7. Pour out the rinse water - Empty the kettle after rinsing.
- Step 8. Sanitize the kettle - Spray sanitizer onto the interior surfaces and then use a soft cloth to make sure the cleaning chemical is evenly distributed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions as to how long you should let the sanitizer sit on the surfaces.
- Step 9. Remove the sanitizing solution - After letting the sanitizing solution sit on the surfaces for the recommended amount of time, use a clean cloth to wipe it away. If there is a large amount of excess sanitizer in the unit, tilt the kettle and pour it out.
Cleaning the Exterior Surfaces
- Step 1. Clean the exterior surfaces - Use a damp cloth to wipe down the outside of the unit, removing any dirt, dust or food particles in the process.
- Step 2. Apply stainless steel cleaner - Maintain the exterior surfaces by applying stainless steel cleaner with a soft cloth. Use the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine how long to let the cleaner sit.
- Step 3. Remove the cleaner - Wipe off the stainless steel cleaner with a clean cloth.
- Step 4. Let the kettle air dry - Allow the unit’s interior and exterior surfaces to air dry.
Resuming Normal Operation
- Step 1. Plug in the unit - Once the kettle is clean and dry, plug the power cord into the outlet.
- Step 2. Turn the unit on - Use the On/Off switch to power on the unit.
- Step 3. Resume normal operation - Use the unit normally.