Tips to Maintain your Stand Mixer
Commercial stand mixers are a big investment and can really form the backbone of your business. That’s why it is so important to regularly maintain your mixer so you can get years of usage out of it, prevent breakdowns and keep your kitchen moving.
Safety First
Whenever performing routine maintenance, always make sure that the mixer is turned off and unplugged. You never want to accidentally engage the mixer when you’re not prepared to do so. Never risk your own or your employees’ safety.
Thorough Clean
You are probably already cleaning the external attachments, such as the agitator and the mixing bowl, but every couple of weeks or so it is a great idea to do a deep and thorough cleaning of the entire mixer. A deep clean only needs a couple of tools:
- Flathead and/or Philips screwdriver
- Cleaning brush
- Soap and water
Oil, flour, dust and other ingredients can gunk up your mixer, causing it to overheat and malfunction. This kind of dirt accumulates in the base, the planetary gear housing, the drip cup and the bowl guard. Take out any screws keeping these parts to the rest of the mixer, remove the section and clean it thoroughly. You will see the grime and dirt that is building up, so just clean it until it is all gone.
In a busy kitchen, things tend to get a little messy. Areas on and around your mixer may get splashed with all kinds of ingredients that you would not usually expect. Be sure to wipe down the entire mixer with just a damp cloth. Never pour or splash water directly on the mixer itself. Every mixer is different and will therefore require different maintenance. Refer to the user manual for any other parts that require routine cleaning and be sure to clean those parts properly as well.
Check for Imminent Failure
While performing a thorough clean, check all the parts to determine whether they are in good operating condition. This means that there is no breakage, decay or rust buildup. Whenever you see a part starting to wear out, order a new part and replace it as soon as possible. Keeping up with standard replacement parts will ensure that your mixer as a whole will remain in operation.
Neglecting a failing part could result in complete failure of your mixer, as when one part wears out the rest of the mixer will have to pick up the slack. Before you know it, the whole mixer will need replacing.
Lubrication
To keep the mixer in smooth and consistent operation, be sure to familiarize yourself with the parts that require routine lubrication. Some mixers have a slideway that needs lubrication several times a year, and some planetary gear housings require lubrication as well. Always check your user manual for the specifics on what parts need lubrication and how often.
Use a food grade lubricant that is compatible with your mixer, and always refer to your user manual before selecting a lubricant. It is a good idea to always keep some lubricant on hand so that you can keep up with routine maintenance whenever it is needed.
Mixer Space
It is also very important to maintain cleanliness in the area around your mixer. Make sure that nothing can get in the way to impede your mixer’s operation or become a hazard. Make sure that there is plenty of space for the mixer to do what it needs to do without interfering with anything else. And be sure to keep a clear path from the mixer to the power outlet in case of emergency.
Basic and routine maintenance can prevent a slowdown or accident when you least need it. Refer to your user manual for any specific maintenance that needs to be performed and make sure you keep up with it on a regular basis.
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