The food and beverage industry has some of the most stringent quality control laws. Workers in this industry must adhere to rigorous sanitary protocols that defy rank or job specialization. Food and beverage companies must actively and strictly enforce regulations on proper workers’ attire, food handling procedures, and the physical cleanliness of the production floor. Similar, if not more, stringent requirements apply to the equipment used on food and beverage processing facilities. A notable industry-wide regulation necessitates the use of stainless steel when making equipment for this industry.
Standard equipment in a typical food and beverage processing plant includes automated container cleaners, pneumatic liquid fillers, rotary product fillers, electric ovens and fryers, product conveyors, automatic packers, labelers, and many others.
Food and beverage processing machinery feature additional components, including welding ferrules, sanitary check valves, sanitary fillers, and myriad other fixtures. These separate pieces of equipment require constant maintenance to ensure continuous and consistent production of goods. This article will show why stainless steel valves, fittings, and fixtures remain the best bet for machine maintenance.
The incredible lifespan of Stainless Steel Components
The fact that stainless steel pipes can easily exceed a 100-year service lifespan is a testament to the durability of stainless steel components. This incredible feat is possible because stainless steel surfaces do not corrode even when exposed to moisture and high temperatures for prolonged periods. Furthermore, the absence of corroded patches ensures that no organic matter adheres to surfaces. This outcome is quite desirable because bacteria and other pathogens require an organic substrate to propagate. The ability of stainless steel surfaces to defy corrosion makes these surfaces easy to clean.
Notably, equipment made from this material does not require cleaning after every batch of products. Cleaning can occur once a week without compromising the quality of food and beverage products. This cost-saving attribute extends to welding ferrules, stainless steel sanitary filters, sanitary check valves, sanitary fittings, and other stainless steel fixtures. The anti-corrosion property of stainless steel negates all risk of contamination from rust and pathogens. Furthermore, the incredibly long life of stainless steel guarantees a return on investment for all stainless steel equipment and fixtures.
Chemical Inertness of Stainless Steel Fixtures
Stainless steel features extremely low chemical reactivity even at industrial oven temperatures. The implication is that stainless steel baking and deep-frying equipment remain chemically inert even at 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. This attribute is desirable because most other materials lose their chemical inertness at high temperatures. Chemically reactive surfaces possess the ability to contaminate food and beverage products. Products end up with high heavy metal content whereby such contaminants cause cancer.
By opting to use stainless steel equipment in food and beverage processing, factory owners ensure consistent product quality. It is thus only logical that maintenance of such machinery requires the use of sanitary welding ferrules, stainless steel sanitary strainers, sanitary clamps, and other stainless steel fixtures. Taking this approach eliminates any risk of contamination of food and beverage products at all stages of the production process.
Remarkable Strength of Stainless Steel Fitting
Stainless steel fittings possess the ability to handle extreme levels of mechanical stress and strain. This property is why factory managers prefer stainless steel components in applications with high levels of friction, pressure, and extreme temperature. As a consequence, high-pressure applications require the use of stainless steel welding ferrules, sanitary pipe valves, and sanitary strainer. These components remain optimally functional despite use in demanding applications.
In Conclusion
No one can doubt the significant role that the food and beverage processing industry play in today’s consumer-centric world. Sadly, consumers solely focus on what they see, touch, smell, and taste. Most people just do not know that the myriad products gracing supermarket shelves convey only half-the-tale. There is a whole other side to the food and beverage sector. Companies operating in this sector rely on high-quality stainless steel machinery and fixtures to transform base ingredients into amazing products.