Tips for cleaning meat processing machines

[Jonathon]

Someone asked me a question about why cleaning is so much harder when Sure Gel Meat Binder is used and it got me thinking that we probably don’t point out enough that coating the inside of the mixer and stuffer with White Oil will make cleaning SO MUCH EASIER! The meat basically shoots right out of it when you cold water! You then need to go through it again with soap and hot water but it way easier than trying to start with soap and hot water.

[WVTim]

Jonathon that does make a big difference. Started doing it after watching one of your videos or podcast. Do it everytime now.

[bocephus]

Jonathon Haven’t used my mixer yet but I do it to my stuffer and it makes clean up very easy, although there is not much to clean up in a stuffer after using stuffer eggs. The seal on the 11lb stuffer is very good.

[calldoctoday]

Jonathon Spray everything with a light coating of Food Grade Silicone Oil. I believe it helps.

[processhead]

calldoctoday said in Tips for cleaning meat processing machines:

Jonathon Spray everything with a light coating of Food Grade Silicone Oil. I believe it helps.

You mean that WD-40 I had been using was not food grade???

[Bob Stehlik]

calldoctoday I use the Food Grade Silicon spray on my grinder head & auger. It really helps and then when finished just drop the whole head & auger in hot soapy water, grab the brush and everything comes off pretty easily. I then spray again before storing in a large vac bag/lug liner etc.

[kyle]

Bob Stehlik I use silicon also. I even spray the inside of my stuffer. I think it helps the gasket not blow out and helps with cleaning

[Brianzipperdog123]

I use Pam the non stick cooking spray to lube the grinder and stuffer and silicone grease on the plunger seal. Been doing it for 20 years

[bocephus]

Brianzipperdog123 I always use a little grease on the seal, I think it helps seal and extends the life of the gasket.

[TexLaw]

Grinder head, mixer, and stuffer all get a spray or wipedown with white oil before use and after cleaning. It makes life so much easier.

[samspade]

I use pamin the grinder and mixer. Clean up is easier and I finish with a wipe down of white oil.

[Jonathon]

Does anyone have any other tips? One thing I HATE is washing out the brushes when cleaning stuffing tubes. We are trying to bring something in that the meat wont get as stuck in but if someone has something else I am all ears! Takes longer to clean the brush I use to clean the stuffing tube than it does to clean the stuffing tube!

[processhead]

Jonathon Didn’t anyone tell you that you are supposed to blow out the stuffer tubes with your mouth? I can’t believe Austin didn’t have you try that hack the first day on the job???

As far as brushes go, I would just run them through the dishwasher if they weren’t getting as clean as you like with a normal washdown.

[Brianzipperdog123]

processhead I just wad up a piece of paper towel and push it down the tube with a cut off golf club handle. I can feel it in the casing and twist off and tie with string. No muss or fuss

[Bob Stehlik]

processhead Yup, small brushes in the silverware basket & large brushes on the top shelf.

[Jonathon]

processhead The # of times I have gotten myself SOAKED by trying to get out the 38mm with a jet of higher pressure water is embarrassing, like an idiot kid who forgets that pretty fire is hot every time! Never tried blowing it out! Brianzipperdog123 golf club with paper towel sounds good actually. Bob Stehlik and process we don’t have a dish washer, we have a Jon and a JustinT

[bocephus]

Jonathon Different size dowels work well, put a piece of plastic wrap over them. Then use a brush for the final cleaning, you don’t get nearly as much stuck to bristles and cleans off easier.

[Denny O]

Put the stem of the brush in between the palms of your hands and rub them back and forth with the bristles in the hot soapy water, that will knock out the extra meat and clean the brushes. The action is like drying a paint brush between your hands.

[Grimpuppy]

bocephus said in Tips for cleaning meat processing machines:

Jonathon Different size dowels work well, put a piece of plastic wrap over them. Then use a brush for the final cleaning, you don’t get nearly as much stuck to bristles and cleans off easier.

Bingo!

Go to hardware store and get some wooden dowels that fit inside your tubes.

[mrobisr]

The best cleaning advice is to heat your water on the stove to get your wash water too hot to even use immediatly. Put your equipment in it and let it soak until cool enough to put your hands in then pre-oiled or not it will clean up with little effort.