Commercial dough mixers are used to make a variety of meals at commercial restaurants. These are fairly simple machines that need regular maintenance to keep them running at their best. Unfortunately, the majority of business owners ignore this factor, which leads to the malfunctioning of the unit when you least expect it to. Regular maintenance, including daily maintenance done by the staff and scheduled maintenance provided by commercial appliances repair services, ensures the dough mixer lasts at least 30% longer than the ones that receive none. Here is how to maintain a commercial dough mixer so that you can make the most out of your investment.
Essential Safety Protocols For Commercial Dough Mixer Maintenance
When it comes to maintaining a commercial dough mixer, you should always consider safety first. A common and extremely risky factor business owners mostly tend to underestimate is the damage or injuries it can cause. Commercial dough mixers may not look dangerous but there are several components inside that could cause permanent injuries.
That said, it is always safe to switch off the machine before performing maintenance. Plus, unplug the machine from the main power socket as well. Make sure to wear protective equipment as well to cover the exposed body parts.
Furthermore, you should also consult the user manual to become familiar with and aware of the placement of the components and how you can access them. To maintain a commercial dough mixer, purchase chemicals and tools recommended by the manufacturer.
Do not go for cheap products as they can ruin the finish of the machine. Once you have bought the necessary chemicals and tools, use a soft cloth and a brush to gently scrub the chemicals over the dirt and dust accumulations to remove them.
If there is some hard dough, try using a harder brush or scrub the chemical slightly harder to loosen up. Do not use harsh cleaning techniques as they can damage the components. And, before you begin to clean up the machine inside out, perform a thorough inspection.
Look for loose bolts or screws along with signs of wear and tear. If there is something unusual, get it fixed before performing maintenance as this happens to be a major part of maintenance as well.
Daily Commercial Dough Mixer Maintenance
Commercial dough mixers are rigid and tough machines designed to work round the clock serving customers. This is another reason why maintenance is crucial as it helps keep the machine running without any complications, especially during rush hours.
If your business experiences heavy foot traffic daily, you should train your employees to perform daily cleaning and maintenance. At the same time, you should also keep a record of the maintenance schedule and repairs or replacements.
In addition to that, you should regularly educate your employees about maintenance and ask them to check the machine both at the start of the business day and at the end. Daily maintenance entails removing all the removable parts including the bowls and attachments and cleaning them to finally dry.
Keep in mind that the mixer consists of bearings and other parts that require oiling or greasing. Lubricating the moving parts ensures the machine does not make weird noises or struggle to perform midway during the dough mixing process.
Weekly And Monthly Maintenance Schedule
While daily maintenance is crucial for ensuring smooth business operations, weekly and monthly maintenance helps look after the moving parts and other electrical components. Ideally, monthly maintenance should be performed by a professional.
The reason is certain areas inside the machine are not easily accessible. Plus, forcing your way into such areas can also result in injuries. This is why it is important for a professional to thoroughly inspect and clean the machine inside out using special tools and equipment.
A professional will also lubricate the parts and tighten the screws and belts. If ignored, these parts will unexpectedly give up and halt the mixing process. Since prevention is better than cure, you should get them checked on a regular basis.
Moreover, professional maintenance is not an expense but rather an investment. It helps detect problems before they turn worse and helps the business operations run smoothly. In other words, you are paying to keep future troubles at bay. So, whether it’s a dough mixer or an oven, hire commercial oven repair Springfield services for maintenance.
Cleaning & Sanitization
In addition to oiling and tightening the screws and bolts, the commercial dough mixer needs proper sanitization as well. This is because the mixer while mixing accumulates a lot of leftovers that will spoil with time and contaminate the next batch of dough.
This can be bad for your business reputation especially if customers experience illness. This is why it is important to follow the right cleaning and sanitization rules. Cleaning and sanitizing a mixer properly helps avoid the majority of dough-related problems.
Some states are very strict about sanitization and other safety aspects and can also impose heavy fines if not implemented or followed properly. Always use FDA and USDA-approved products instead of cheap ones as they can result in extreme health concerns.
Common Technical Issues And Solutions
Now that you are aware of the basic maintenance and how to go about it, it is equally important for you to be aware of the common technical issues and know the solutions as well to be mentally prepared for unexpected complications.
Commercial dough mixers utilize electricity to run. This means it is not uncommon for electrical problems to pop up such as blown fuses, circuit breaker trips, and other power supply issues. If you notice that the machine is not powering up or shuts down midway, it means there is most likely a power problem.
You should check the circuit breaker and the fuse box to see if anything is wrong. If the circuit breaker is in the “Off” position, turn it to the “ON” position. If it trips frequently, it means there is a power fluctuation that is affecting the mixer as well.
Moreover, if you observe any issues with the dough such as uneven moisture or undermixed dough, you will need to check the bowl alignment or the speed control mechanism. You might think these issues do not affect the quality but they do.
The best way to prevent such issues is by following the maintenance and troubleshooting tips. You can either look over the internet or consult an expert in such matters. Once you have experienced and fixed the issues on your own, you will be able to fix them in no time in case similar situations cross paths in the future.
Conclusion
That’s it! If you find the process of keeping up difficult, simply hire a commercial kitchen appliance repair Northern VA expert to perform monthly maintenance. This is the best way to keep your employees focused and the dough mixer running without any frustrating issues.