Kitchen tools, equipment and premises At the end of the chapter, students are expected to: Clean, sanitize, and store kitchen tools and equipment Clean and sanitize kitchen premises Identify types and uses of cleaning agents Identify sanitation procedures observed in cleaning kitchen tools, equipment and premises Tools and equipment used in the kitchen should always be cleaned and sanitized before use. To prevent food contamination, utensils, tools and equipment surfaces that are in contact with food must be cleaned as often as necessary. Equipment surfaces that are not in contact with food should also be cleaned frequently to minimize accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and others.
Cleaning Kitchen Tools and Equipment Used in Cookery
Cutting Tools and Equipment
Cutting tools and equipment such as knives, choppers, and cutting blades on machines should never be misused. Correct knives should be used for appropriate job. Knives must always be sharp and clean. Using blunt knife is more likely to cause a cut owing to excessive pressure having to be used. Handles should be free from grease. They should be placed flat on the board or table so that the blade is not exposed upwards. It should always be wiped clean with the edge away from the hands. Choppers should be kept sharp and clean when in use; care should be taken that no other knives, saws, hooks, etc. can be struck by the chopper which could cause them to fly into the air. Cutting blades on machines should be given attention also. Guards should be in place when the machine is in use. Before the guards are removed for cleaning, the blades must have stopped revolving, and it should not be left unattended.
Measuring Tools and Equipment
Measuring tools such as measuring spoons, measuring cups, weighing scale and oven thermometer need cleaning and sanitizing as well Wash the measuring spoons in warm soapy water, and then rinse them in clear water. You can use a soft sponge or cloth for regular cleaning. Be sure to clean the entire spoon including the handle and then dry thoroughly with a dry, clean dish towel. To make measuring cup easier to clean, add hot water, keep for a few minutes, rinse and dry. Weighing scales are cleansed by using a small brush to gently sweep any residue from the balance. Use a moistened thin wipes with water and carefully clean the pan and around the scales. Wipe dry. Remove the pan to facilitate more thorough cleaning. Don’t turn the scales upside down to remove the residue. In food preparation, it is not only the ingredients that are to be measured. Temperature of the food, water, air and the humidity should also be considered. Thermometer is best for this purpose. Hence, cleaning and sanitizing is important. An unsanitized thermometer can become a food safety hazard rather than a preventive tool. Clean it by washing in hot soapy water. Rinse and sanitize the probe with a clean sanitizing cloth dipped in a container of sanitizing solution.
Mixing Tools and Equipment
Mixing tools made of rubber are cleaned by scrubbing with hot water and then dried using a dish towel. Mixing bowls should be soaked for a few minutes, washed with water and detergent, rinsed in clean water then dried upside down. Food mixer should be lubricated frequently in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. All components as well as the main machine should be thoroughly washed and dried. Care should be taken to see that no rust occurs on any part. The mincer attachment knife and plates will rust if not given sufficient care. Top-of-the-Range Equipment For effective washing of pots and pans the following method should be observed: Pans should be scraped and all food particles placed in a bin Hot pans should be allowed to cool before being plunged into water Pans with food particles that have stucked to them should be soaked Frying pans should be thoroughly wiped with a clean cloth, they should not be washed unless absolutely necessary Pots and pans and other equipment should be washed and clean with a stiff brush, steel wool or similar article in hot detergent water
Baking Tools and Equipment
Baking sheets are made of various sizes of black wrought steel. The less they are washed, the less they are likely to cause food to stick. New baking sheets should be well-heated in a hot oven, thoroughly wiped with a piece of clean cloth and then lightly oiled. Before being used, baking trays should be lightly greased with pure fat or oil. Immediately after use and while still warm, they should be cleaned by scraping and wiping. If washing is necessary, hot soda or detergent water should be used. Rolling pins, wooden spoons and spatulas should be scrubbed in hot water with detergent, rinsed in clean water and dried. Rolling pins should not be scraped with knife; this can cause wood to splinter. Adhering paste can be removed with a cloth. Trays and tins used for pastry work should be thoroughly cleaned with a dry cloth while warm.
Cleaning of Large Electrical Kitchen Equipment
The following are some tips on how to clean large electrical equipment properly: Switch off the machine and remove the electric plug Remove particles of food with cloth, palette knife, needle or brush as appropriate Clean with hand and hot detergent water all removable and fixed parts. Pay particular attention to threads and plates with holes or mincers Rinse the cutting tools and equipment thoroughly Dry and reassemble While cleaning, see that the exposed blades are not left uncovered or unguarded and that the guards are replaced when cleaning is completed Any specific manufacturer’s instructions should be observed Test that the machine is properly assembled by plugging in and switching on
Methods of Cleaning and Sanitizing Kitchen Tools Equipment
Listed below are the normal cleaning and sanitizing of kitchen tools and equipment based on the materials they are made of Plastic. Wash in reasonable water Wood. Scrub with bristle brush and hot water with detergent. Rinse then dry. Marble. Scrub with bristle brush and hot water then dry. Copper. Remove as much food as possible. Soak. Wash in hot detergent water with the aid of a brush. Clean the outside with a paste made of sand, vinegar and flour. Wash well. Rinse and dry. Aluminum. Do not wash in water containing soda as the protective film which prevents corrosion may be damaged. To clean, remove food particles. Soak and wash in hot detergent water but never soak too long while dishwashing to avoid darkening. Clean with steel wool or abrasive. Rinse and dry. Stainless Steel. Easy to clean by soaking in hot detergent water. Clean with a brush. Rinse and dry. Tin. Those which are used to line pots and pans should be soaked, washed in detergent water, rinsed and dried. Tin must be thoroughly dried otherwise they are likely to rust. Zinc. This is used to coat storage bins, galvanized iron and it should not be cleaned with a harsh abrasive. Enamel. Clean with a damp cloth and dry. Avoid using abrasives. Metals. All metal equipment should be cleaned immediately after use. Abrasives should only be used in moderation as their constant scratching of the surface makes it more difficult to clean to item next time.
Proper Dishwashing Technique
To make sure dishwashing results in completely clean and sanitary kitchen tools, follow the given techniques 1. Use three compartment sink when washing, rinsing and sanitizing tools and equipment by hand. 2. Sinks must be large enough so that the items can be completely covered with water when cleaned. 3. Each compartment of the sink must be supplied with hot or cold potable running water. 4. Suitable equipment must be made available if washing, rinsing and sanitizing cannot be accomplished by immersion 5. Drain boards or dish tables must be prepared for soiled kitchen tools before washing and at the same time for clean tools after sanitizing
Prior to the washing operations, the following must be observed:
Scrape leftover found in the kitchen tools and equipment. Prewash the soiled tools to prevent large remnants of food to enter the sink. Food remnants hamper the washing operation and can cause a breakdown of detergent concentration which results in dirty film on dishes. Grease and food debris left after washing will soil the rinse water Presort to systematize the storing of the tools
Procedure in Washing, Rinsing, and Sanitizing
1. Clean sinks before using it 2. Wash- rinse- sanitizes utilizing a 3- sink method or the so called three bucket method. a. First compartment or sin- wash with a hot detergent solution b. Second compartment or sink- Rinse off with clean, hot water to remove the detergent and to be successful in washing , the rinse water should be kept clean and once soiled, it should be replaced at once c. Third compartment or sink- sanitize food contact surfaces of all equipment and utensils using the immersion method with the addiction of clean solution such as hydrochloride, iodine or ammonium compound Equipment too large to be sanitized by immersion must be rinsed, sprayed or swabbed with solution at least twice the strength required for immersion sanitizing. In the hand washing operation, do not use dishcloths, dish mops or soft sponges because they become soiled, soggy and provide a medium for bacteria growth. Plastic brushes with firm bristles provide the friction necessary for cleaning. Clean thoroughly for effective sanitation. Keep the sinks and brushes clean. Drain wash water frequently, refill with clean, fresh hot water and proper amount of detergent.
Techniques in Storing Cleaned Kitchen Tools and Equipment
After dishwashing, all washed kitchen tools must be properly stored to avoid re- contamination of dust, insects, and bacteria. Clean and wipe dry all equipment before storing Use portable carts to transport cleaned and sanitized tools and equipment to storage areas Wash also the carts with hot water and detergents with the addition of sanitizer Air dry and store utensils in a self-draining position Store cleaned tools and equipment at least six inches above the floor In racking, rack tools according to their sizes. Do not overcrowd resulting to the possibility of breakages or damages Keep the storage area clean at all times, protected from pest infestation, dust and other bacteria