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A crate washer washes crates, that is what it was made for. But to be able to continue to do its work, a crate washer also has to be cleaned every day. So do not forget to take time to do this every day.
When the last crate of the day is washed, it is time to clean the crate washer itself. This probably isn't really a task you are looking forward to, but it is of paramount importance. If you neglect this cleaning process, then you actually risk the safety of the foodstuffs that you process. A dirty crate washer is, in fact, a source of bacterial growth, which means that your crates no longer come out of the washer clean. Furthermore, with a daily cleaning routine, you extend the service life of your washer considerably.
If your crate washer washes crates 24/7, plan a fixed time of the day to clean the washer.
Clean inside and out
If you take cleaning your crate washer seriously, then you plan – depending on the size of the washer – sufficient time every day to do the following things:
- Empty the water tank by opening the ball valve on the drain.
- Clean the inside of the water tank with a cleaning lance with a foaming agent (20 bar is generally sufficient). In doing this, take care of the sensors, these do need to be cleaned, but do not apply too much pressure to them.
- Cleaning the heating element (if present), so that no dirt and limescale is caked on (this can cause the element to burn out).
- Remove the dirt from the chain and the filter by hand.
- Check the nozzles. Clean nozzles that are clogged (these can be easily clicked off, cleaned and clicked back into place). Cleaning all the nozzles every week or month is not a superfluous luxury.
- Spray the outside of the crate washer clean (take care of sensors such as door sensors and on the operating screen: only clean these with a cloth).
- Cleaning of the room in which the washer is located (floors and walls), so as to prevent bacterial growth.
The water tank of the washer is refilled with fresh water at the time that the washing process is started again.
Visual check
To keep the operation of the crate washer optimal, it is important to do a daily visual check when crates are being washed. For example, check whether all sensors are working, or that there are no leaks or that no nozzles are clogged. It is also important to check whether the chain is at the right tension. Certainly with a washer that is still new, the chain can still pull off and come loose.
Parts in stock
To be able to guarantee the continuity of the crate washers – and as a result also the continuity of your production processes – it is advised to have various parts in stock, so that these can be replaced immediately if there is a fault. This could be level sensors, solenoid valves and chemical hose (if a chemical pump is used).
More information
Do you want to know more about daily cleaning of your crate washer? Then feel free to contact us – there’s no obligation. Our specialists would be pleased to advise you!
