This post is going to cover best practice for cleaning the steam table.
Cleaning the steam table
Make sure the steam table is free from all food. Turn off the steam table machine and unplug.
Once the machine is switched off, drain the water from the steam wells prior to cleaning.
Remove any removable parts and wash separately in water mixed with detergent. Scrub with a steel wool pad to remove any persistent food debris.
Rinse the removed parts in water and allow to air dry.
Take a clean hand brush dipped in hot water, pour a small amount of detergent onto the brush. Brush all the sides as well as all the surfaces of the steam table, making sure that you reach the corners as well. Thoroughly scrub and wash the top of the steam table as well as its backboard and front. The hood and the sides should also be scrubbed and washed.
If there are stubborn food particles clinging to the steam table use a scraper to remove.
Removing limescale from the steam table
Thoroughly clean the steam table (see above).
Fill the steam wells up with water before adding in an appropriate limescale removing product. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dilution ratios.
Switch the machine on to heat up the water and leave the machine on until the limescale is totally eliminated. Follow the timings as advised by the manufacturer of the limescale remover.
For hard to remove limescale build-up, lightly scrub over the area with a scrubbing pad while the machine is full of water and limescale remover. Ensure that you have removed all traces of the limescale build-up.
Switch steam table off and drain the water and limescale remover.
Rinse the steam table off with hot water, making sure that you remove any traces of dirty liquid and limescale remover.
Wipe the machine with a soft, clean disposable cloth until dry.