Vulcan Steam Kettle Cleaning & Preventative Maintenance
Vulcan steam kettles allow you to cook large quantities of soups and sauces quickly and evenly. If you need help maintaining your unit, this Vulcan steam kettle cleaning and preventative maintenance guide explains how to keep your equipment in good working order.
This guide is for the ES, EL and ET series of steam jacketed kettles and the GS, GL & GT series of fully steam jacketed gas kettles.
Vulcan Steam Kettle Cleaning
Vulcan steam kettles should be cleaned at the end of the day and before cooking a different type of food. If the interior isn’t maintained properly, it can rust, giving food an unpleasant taste.
Supplies
- Mild Detergent
- Water
- Nylon Brush
- Clean Cloths
Cleaning Procedure
Be sure to turn the machine “OFF,” unplug it, let it cool down and then follow the lockout / tagout procedures before cleaning your unit.
- Step 1. Soak dried food residues on the surface of kettle interior - Add water to the kettle and turn the unit on “LOW” to loosen any food residues inside the kettle.
- Step 2. Scrub kettle interior - Add mild detergent and then use a nylon brush to scrub the inside.
- Step 3. Rinse and dry interior - Use a soft cloth to remove any remaining soap suds and dry the inside of the kettle.
- Step 4. Clean kettle exterior - Wipe the kettle exterior with a damp cloth and then dry it with a clean cloth.
- Step 5. If applicable, clean the draw-off valve - If your unit has a draw-off valve, use warm, soapy water to wash the valve body and the open area in the kettle interior, along with the interior and exterior of the valve plug.
Kettle Cleaning Don’ts
- Never hose down the unit or spray water into the flue on gas units - High-pressure water sprays will severely damage your unit.
- Don’t use harsh or corrosive cleaning chemicals - These can damage the stainless steel.
- Don’t scrape the inside with abrasive cleaners, metal tools or scouring pads - These will leave unsightly scratches that will make it more difficult to thoroughly clean the unit.
Vulcan Steam Kettle Preventative Maintenance
Be sure to turn the unit “OFF,” unplug it from the outlet and let it cool down before performing any maintenance.
Pressure Relief Valve
- Open the valve at least once a day to prevent lime buildup.
- If it leaks or opens below the rated p.s.i., contact a technician to replace it.
Low Water Cut-Off
- Remove and inspect for lime buildup at least once a year.
- The float must move freely in its cage.
- If necessary, clean the unit.
- If lime or sludge can’t be removed to allow the float to move freely, call a licensed technician to replace the low water cut-off.
Sight Glass Assembly
- Check the sight glass assembly once per day to make sure the water level in the jacket is correct. The correct water level is half the height of the glass.
- If the water looks dirty, contact a technician to clean the kettle jacket.
Draw-Off Valve
- Lubricate the faces of the valve with Petro-Gel daily to prevent sticking.
Vent
- Check the air vent and clear any obstructions once a year.
Kettle Jacket Fluid
- Draining or flushing the jacket shouldn’t be done frequently: only when there is scale or sludge inside the jacket.
- Schedule an appointment with a technician to drain, clean, flush and refill the jacket.
For more information on Vulcan steam kettle cleaning and preventative maintenance, see our extensive collection of Vulcan manuals online.