Re: [CH] Re: Cleaning/Sanitization
Cameron Begg (PheasantPlucker@pop-server.columbus.rr.com)
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:54:01 -0500
Hi C-H's,
John (I'm sure Jim already knows this) you can use a straight caustic
soda (=lye, =NaOH) in all stainless steel equipment. If any other
metals are present you will likely run into problems. It is a great
chemical for removing organic deposits in difficult places, but will
attack humans too! Think of it as soap x 1,000. It is what the
anatomists use for removing meat from bones when they want to mount a
skeleton! Be careful!
Vessels cleaned with NaOH need to be rinsed thoroughly because it is
highly basic (alkaline.) A good practice for S.S. is to rinse and
replace with a phosphoric acid based sanitizer. Then your vessel
needs only a quick rinse (if at all) before use.
If you use NaOH to clean out dirty hot sauce bottles do not leave a
strong solution in the bottles for any length of time. (Weeks or
months.) If your bottles are that dirty throw them out. Remember that
any un-rinsed NaOH solution will give your sauce a terrible taste and
will also push the pH up. Not good if you are trying to keep it below
4.2 :)
For other materials without stains or organic build up, boiling water
is a fast and efficient way to keep the nasties under control. You
can boil water IN your sauce bottles in the microwave.
Ooops - sorry Jim - I got carried away. You were going to do this!
I'll try to shut up now.
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Regards, Cameron.