We know how important fire safety is when using tumble dryers. Although advances in tumble dryer technology has made it less likely for fires to occur than ever, we want to help you make sure that all the risks are covered. We’ll be there to make sure you’re handling your tumble dryers with caution and relevant fire safety measures in place.
To help, we’ve put together this guide you through different tumble dryer fire safety measures. We’ve also outlined how our S.A.F.E tumble dryers could help your business.
Pitfalls to avoid
In a commercial environment , the continual use of a domestic tumble dryer is a fire risk. Not only are many of these dryers smaller than their commercial counterparts, but they’re only designed to run around 250 cycles per year. By parterning with us, our commercial tumble dryers are manufactured to process almost 500 cycles every year, with more robust parts and tough stainless steel construction.
With the right machinery for the job, you can also minimise the risk of a fire by making sure:
Vents are uncovered and there’s plenty of ventilation for the tumble dryer
Any vent pipes do not contain kinks and have been approved by the manufacturer
Any lint is removed from the trap after each cycle
Rags that have been used to soak up flammable liquids are not placed in the dryer
Why buy S.A.F.E tumble dryers?
As they’re subject to such high usage, especially overnight, ‘standard’ commercial tumble dryers don’t provide the highest possible level of protection against fires.
All of our dryers are installed with a Sensor Activated Fire Extinguishing system. This system automatically dowses flames using atomised water vapour that soaks and cools the load immediately. Everything is quickly and safely contained, so there’s no flooding, or damage to property.
Interested in purchasing new S.A.F.E tumble dryers or want to learn more about how the system can work for you? Speak to our team today.
Coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers can help you when it comes to maximising your revenue. They can also provide your business with a competitive advantage and offer your customers a comprehensive and complete service.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at what businesses would benefit from coin operated washing machines and tumble dryers, and why.
What businesses would benefit from coin-operated washing machines/tumble dryers?
Coin-operated washing machines and tumble dryers are traditionally associated with laundrettes and other coin-laundry businesses.
However, our experts believe that a wider range of businesses would benefit from coin-operated washing machines/tumble dryers. This includes student accommodation, campsites, holiday parks and caravan parks.
For caravan parks and holiday parks, coin-operated laundry equipment is incredibly useful. This is because these machines allow owners to maximise revenue while also providing visitors with a convenient laundry solution.
Why use a coin-operated washing machine?
We understand that not everyone will have the suitcase space to pack everything they need for a long staycation. By providing residents of your caravan park or holiday park with access to coin-operated laundry machines, you’ll run a convenient service that sets your business apart from others in your area.
We can help you go a step further, by providing guests with coin-operated tumble dryers, making your laundry service even more convenient. After all, no guests want to walk back to their accommodation with a large bag of wet laundry and figuring out how to dry it.
By offering both coin-operated washing machines and coin-operated dryers, you’ll provide a complete and stress-free service that will draw guests back time and time again.
Our coin-operated laundry machines are available in a wide variety of drum capacities. Plus, our Total Care option is available with all of our coin-operated laundry equipment for businesses. With Total care, we’ll provide you with top of the range machines with no upfront cost. All in one monthly payment with no surprises, Total Care gives you 24/7 365 access to our experts, giving you peace of mind that someone will be there to keep your service running. Interested in learning more about how coin-operated laundry equipment could help your business? Talk to our laundry experts today.
Deep fat fryers require regular deep cleans known as ‘boil outs’. Regular cleans help your fryer maintain optimal performance and make sure it doesn’t affect the taste or the quality of the food you’re serving.
In this guide, we’ll outline how to clean a commercial deep fryer. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to drain a commercial deep fryer and discuss how to filter commercial deep fryer oil. With the help of our guide, you’ll have no problem making sure your food tastes great time and time again.
A step-by-step guide on how to clean a commercial deep fryer
During a commercial deep fryer ‘boil out’, you need to remove the old oil, add water and a special commercial deep fryer cleaning solution and boil the mixture inside the fryer to remove stuck-on food and grime.
1) Gather your supplies
To ‘boil out’ a fryer, you’ll need:
Heat-proof gloves, goggles and a protective apron
A cleaning solution
A synthetic scrub pad
A long-handled brush that’s suitable for high temperatures
Paper towels/clean cloths
An oil pan drum
2) Clean the interior of the fryer
Start by turning off your fryer and leaving the unit and the oil to cool completely. Then, place an oil pan drum under the drain valve and drain the cooled oil.
Once drained, remove any debris and close the drain valve before wiping the interior with clean paper towels or clean cloths.
Following this, fill your tank with cool water and add your cleaning solution. You should then turn on the heater and slowly boil the water with cleaning solution for 20-30 minutes. Make sure to never leave the fryer unattended while it’s switched on.
Following this, turn the fryer off and leave the water to cool completely. Then, place a large pan under the drain valve and slowly drain the water into it. While the water is draining, scrub the interior walls of the fryer with a long-handled brush to remove any remaining marks.
Finally, flush the fryer thoroughly with water to remove any remnants of cleaning solution and wipe the interior dry with paper towels. You can then fill your fryer with recycled or fresh oil.
3) Clean the exterior
Clean the exterior of your commercial fryer using a specialist cleaning solution. This will remove baked-on grime and carbonised food. Stubborn spots can be scrubbed with a synthetic pad.
Finally, wipe the exterior clean with a damp cloth and leave it to dry completely.
How to filter commercial deep fryer oil
While draining the oil from your fryer, you should also filter it. This can be done using a filter machine, filter paper or filter bags.
By filtering the oil from your commercial fryer, you’ll improve the taste of your food and help maintain crispiness. It will also help you save on oil costs and operational costs.
By following these steps, you’ll find that cleaning your commercial deep fryer is a simple and easy process. Looking to upgrade your equipment? We provide a selection of light, heavy duty, countertop and floor standing fryers. Take a look at the products we have available today or talk to our catering experts to see how we can help you.
In this overview, we’ll highlight the three most important laundry equipment guidelines for care homes. We understand how important it is for you to meet the key regulations and government standards when it comes to your commercial laundry process. That’s why this guide is here to help you not only meet regulation guidelines, but also provide the best services for your residents.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is an independent regulator established by the Health and Social Care Act 2008. They are responsible for inspecting care homes across the UK and play a vital role in the development of regulations for care, which include best practices in your laundry room.
Key CQC Laundry Guidelines For Care Homes
When inspecting your care home, the CQC expects to see a safe and sanitary environment with healthy and happy residents. They also apply the Health Technical Memoranda 01-04 for laundry disinfection, which we’ll go into later on in the guide.
Top tips for staying CQC compliant:
Focus on the five key questions the CQC always ask themselves during inspections: Is the home well-led? Is the home safe? Is the home effective? Is the home caring? Is the home responsive?
Make following care home laundry guidelines a priority in your laundry rooms (see HTM 01-04 below)
CQC representatives can arrive unannounced – be sure that you are always inspection-ready
Focus #2: HTM 01-04
The Department of Health’s Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-04 provides guidelines for the disinfection of linens in care homes.
Current laundry equipment guidelines for care homes state that disinfection must be achieved in every wash cycle. There are two accepted methods – thermal or chemical disinfection.
Thermal disinfection
Water in your laundry cycles should reach a temperature at or above 65°C for no less than 18 minutes, or 71°C for no less than 11 minutes (including mixing time).
Chemical disinfection
You’ll need to use a method, such as ozone laundry disinfection, that is validated and is as effective as thermal disinfection. These processes prevent the spread of micro-organisms like MRSA and C.diff, which can threaten residents’ health.
The JLA alternative: ozone disinfection
Unique to us: OTEX ozone disinfection provides a verifiable way to meet HTM 01-04. Our OTEX ozone disinfection solution harnesses the natural power of ozone O3, killing bacteria, moulds, yeasts and viruses and eliminating the risk of cross-infection in laundry. Learn more about our ozone washer system here.
What happens if my home isn’t HTM 01-04 compliant?
We understand the importance of being HTM 01-04 compliant. It’s possible that, if you’re care home isn’t meeting the HTM 01-04 standards, it could be placed into special measures or even shut down. If an inspection finds that you aren’t meeting the HTM 01-04 standards and a resident or staff member has been harmed because of this, it’s possible that, in extreme cases, the CQC can bring prosecution against you. We’re here to make sure that your commercial laundry equipment is always compliant with the latest regulations.
Top tips for HTM 01-04 compliance:
Ensure that every load of laundry is thoroughly disinfected according to relevant care home laundry guidelines
Establish routes for the transportation of soiled items, from collection to washing and storage, in order to prevent cross-contamination
Ensure staff are adequately trained in thermal and chemical disinfection methods
The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) is an organisational body that ensures protection of the public water supply by setting standards for products such as washing machines.
Key WRAS care home laundry guidelines
The WRAS care home laundry guidelines contain five WRAS Fluid Categories. It ranges from 1, for wholesome water, to 5, for water which is contaminated by faecal material or other human waste. All care homes are deemed high-risk due to a typically high level of incontinence. Therefore washing machines should be protected by a suitable backflow prevention device such as an air-gap.
What happens if my home isn’t WRAS compliant?
We understand the seriousness of keeping your water clen, which is why we’re here to help you pass any inspection from by local water authority. If your local water authority finds that you aren’t meeting WRAS standards and you don’t pass a second inspection, your machines will be declared unfit. If you don’t take action, they may disconnect your care home’s water supply. It’s important to meet WRAS compliancy as contamination of the water supply is a criminal offence.
As with any area of your home that needs to stay compliant, it’s important to ask an expert who can advise on layouts, workflows, regulations and maintenance. Our team can help you make informed choices, and find the best equipment for your specific needs.
What is essential for the safe handling of linen laundry?
It’s important that your care home laundry equipment and processes follow best practice in the sorting, segregation, transportation, storage, washing, finishing and drying of linen. Contact our expert team below for advice on what you need to focus on in your care home laundry.
We understand that in a commercial kitchen, a salamander grill or flat top grill can get dirty very quickly. That’s why we’ve created this in-depth guide which tells you everything you need to know when it comes to how to clean a grill. As well as telling you how to clean a flat top grill and a salamander grill, we’ve also outlined the best cleaning products to use.
How to clean a salamander grill
Salamander grills have belts and grates that are exposed to food. This means it’s very important that the grill is cleaned and maintained regularly.
To clean a salamander grill safely, you need to let it cool completely. Then, remove the spill pan and dispose of any grease, oil or food particles. Warm water and dish soap can then be used to clean the pan.
Next, remove all removable parts. Trays, racks and belts are usually all removable, but check your manual if you’re unsure. If you haven’t cleaned your salamander grill in a while, it may be best to soak these parts overnight to make sure that cooked-on grime is removed easily.
While the parts are removed, you can easily clean the base of the grill. Just wipe the entire base down with warm soapy water.
When cleaning a salamander grill, avoid using any harsh chemicals as left-behind residue can affect the food you cook. You should always avoid using a steel wool or a similar scrub pad, as these can also leave behind small particles that can get into food.
How to clean a griddle grill
To clean the flat top griddle, you need to first turn off the thermostat and put on heat-resistant gloves. While the griddle is still hot, scrape the surface to clear any food debris and grease.
Then, apply a stainless steel-safe cleaning chemical onto the surface of the griddle and scrub it with a non-abrasive pad. Following this, wipe down the entire surface with a damp cloth.
Next, remove and empty the grease tray and wipe down the body of the griddle with a damp cloth.
How regularly should I clean my grill?
How regularly you need to clean your salamander grill or flat top griddle will depend on how heavily it’s used. If your griddle sees heavy daily use, then we’d advise cleaning it on a daily basis. This is because the cleaning process will prevent flavour transfer, efficiency loss and contamination.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide on how to clean a grill. By cleaning your kitchen grills regularly, you’ll have peace of mind that your appliances will avoid becoming damaged by grease or debris. Whether you’re using domestic appliances or commercial catering equipment, we offer a wide range of equipment to suit your needs. If you’re looking to upgrade the appliances you’re currently using, speak to one of our experts today.
What catering equipment is needed for schools?
To help you understand the requirements of a school kitchen, we’ve put together this school catering buying guide. We’ve covered what catering equipment is needed for schools, the school food equipment you’ll need to create popular recipes and the cleaning and storage solutions you require.
We understand that designing a school kitchen is a complex process because we’ve partnered with schools across the country for nearly 50 years. Read on to discover all you need to know.
Refrigeration
Commercial fridges will help you keep the food you’re preparing fresh. Whether you choose a counter fridge or an upright fridge will depend on the number of portions you need to serve each day. Generally though, the majority of schools need an upright fridge.
Due to their vast internal capacities, upright fridges are a favourite of large-scale catering establishments like schools. In a school kitchen, multiple chefs will need access to food while cooking and preparing dishes. Depending on the access you require, you can decide between single door, double door or slimline fridges.
However, if the design of your commercial kitchen means you’re struggling for space, then several commercial counter fridges may be a better option for you. These can either be integrated in an under-counter capacity, or you can opt for a 2-in-1 refrigerator-worktop solution that offers you additional surface space for food preparation. Thanks to their versatile racking systems, commercial counter fridges can offer just as much capacity as an upright fridge.
Another consideration is the heat of the kitchen you’re working in. Busy kitchens get hot quickly, with many school kitchens regularly reaching 32ºC during service. So, you’ll need to make sure your refrigerator contains an efficient fan that keeps your ingredients and food cold while also keeping running costs as low as possible.
Finally, if you’re preparing large batches of food in advance, then you may also need to invest in a blast chiller. This can reduce food from 90ºC to 3ºC in less than 90 minutes, ensuring you exceed food safety legislation and achieve HACCP compliance.
Freezers
When it comes to commercial freezers for a school kitchen, upright, under-counter and chest options are available. The best option for your school kitchen will depend on the space you have available and the amount of food you need to freeze on-site.
Ovens
In a busy school kitchen, speed, simplicity, reliability and wash quality are all vital. Thankfully, commercial dishwashers can make sure dishes never pile up.
Start by considering the size of the dishwasher you need. While some smaller options will wash 200 dishes per hour, others can wash thousands. Similarly, some dishwashers have cycles that are as short as 90 seconds – this is perfect in a school kitchen where hundreds of children are eating lunch simultaneously.
Remember, in a school kitchen, meeting food safety and hygiene standards is essential. A commercial dishwasher can help you meet and exceed any requirements.
Dishwashers
In a busy school kitchen, speed, simplicity, reliability and wash quality are all vital. Thankfully, commercial dishwashers can make sure dishes never pile up.
Start by considering the size of the dishwasher you need. While some smaller options will wash 200 dishes per hour, others can wash thousands. Similarly, some dishwashers have cycles that are as short as 90 seconds – this is perfect in a school kitchen where hundreds of children are eating lunch simultaneously.
Remember, in a school kitchen, meeting food safety and hygiene standards is essential. A commercial dishwasher can help you meet and exceed any requirements.
Food warmers
Finally, you also need to consider the kitchen furniture you’ll need to incorporate into the design of your school kitchen. Modular worktops, stands and pedestals can all be used to maximise prep and storage space while also complementing your other school food equipment.
Kitchen furniture
Finally, you also need to consider the kitchen furniture you’ll need to incorporate into the design of your school kitchen. Modular worktops, stands and pedestals can all be used to maximise prep and storage space while also complementing your other school food equipment.
Popular meals and the school food equipment they require
In modern schools, there’s a huge focus on supplying children with healthy and nutritious meals. This means that few popular recipes include the need for specialist pieces of equipment like fryers.
Now, popular school meals include:
Pies made with high-quality meat or poultry
Jacket potatoes
Meatballs in tomato sauce
Baked salmon with herbs and rice
Vegetarian nuggets and wedges
Cottage pie with vegetables
Spaghetti Bolognese
Roast dinners with vegetables
Lasagne with chips and salad
Beef burritos
Burger in a bun with chips and salad
Cheese and vegetable pasta
Fish and chips
Sausage and mash
The one thing that the majority of these meals have in common is that they can be prepared in bulk and served in large batches. Similarly, almost all of these meals can be cooked using convection ovens and combination ovens before being stored in a Bain Marie or hot cupboard until the children arrive.
Although the preparation aspect of creating these meals is vast and you require lots of refrigeration space, the cooking process will be relatively straightforward if you invest in quality school food equipment. Doing this will also make the day-to-day lives of your kitchen staff far simpler and will ensure that quality and nutritious meals are prepared on a daily basis.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our school catering buying guide. Partner with us and you’ll benefit from nearly 50 years of experience. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you set up a school kitchen that suits staff members, pupils and kitchen staff alike. Our experts would love to help deliver the critical equipment solution that’s right for you.
Keeping your hotel’s laundry services in-house means you can take full control over what, how and when you wash. No outsourced laundry means you won’t have to worry about others letting you down.
Having onsite hotel laundry facilities means you can control your own electricity and water costs. It also reduces the amount of linen stock you need, making it easier to react to changing demands caused by illness outbreaks or seasonal occupancy levels.
We understand that taking your laundry facilities in-house may be stressful, especially when it comes to space. By partnering with us, we’ll give you peace of mind by offering a simple solution: stackable washing equipment.
What benefits does stackable washing equipment provide?
Stackable washing equipment is the perfect solution when it comes to limited space.
Designed to be as efficient and cost-effective as single machines, stackable washing machines and tumble dryers fit neatly on top of each other and give your hotel laundry room two pieces of equipment in the space of one. This provides staff with more space, helping you cope with extra throughput and expanding your capacity without changing the layout.
Stackable tumble dryers and washing machines also help to reduce wash-dry times. This is helpful in large hotels where linen is washed at high volumes.
Choosing the right stackable washing equipment
Choosing the stackable tumble dryers and washing machines that are best for your hotel depends on your specific needs. This includes the space your hotel has and the amount of washing you need to do.
We know how important it is to provide the best possible experience for your guests. Whether that’s serving top-notch food or keeping drinks flowing all night, we’re there to help you deliver excellence at every turn.
We know that having the right equipment is key to making sure your standards remain high throughout service. We’ll guide you through choosing the most important critical equipment for your business.
Glasswashers
We know that the last thing your bar staff should be worrying about is running out of glasses.
Glasswashers are the perfect solution to keep service running smoothly. With cycles as short as 90 seconds, you’ll never be short of glassware again.
Combi-ovens
We understand that chefs are pushed to the limit in successful kitchens, that’s why we offer combi-ovens that help make their jobs easier. With pre-programmed meals and cooking times, combi-ovens will make sure your food is cooked perfectly every single time.
Hot water dispensers
We understand the pressure when it comes to serving hot drinks quickly. Our hot water boilers can process up to 27 litres of water per hour, making it easy for you to keep up with orders.
Cleaning chemicals
We’ll help you make sure your bar or restaurant is always clean and sanitary.
With the correct cleaning equipment, you’ll notice the benefits straight away. Catering detergents help improve the performance of your catering equipment, delivering the quality results each time. Cleaning chemicals help to extend the lifespan of your equipment, protecting it from breakdowns.
By partnering with us, we’ll be there 24/7 and 365 days a year to support your needs. We care about keeping your food fresh, your cutlery clean and your kitchen functioning correctly. If you’re thinking of investing in new hospitality equipment, speak to one of our experts today to see how we can help you.
Many businesses across the UK have been taking extra care to make their facilities safer for staff members and the public during the pandemic. Whilst hand sanitiser, face masks and regular surface disinfection are all part of this process, air purification systems are perhaps the most effective solution.
Airborne viruses can be passed on through respiratory aerosols and droplets when a person talks, sneezes or coughs. That’s why removing contaminants from the air helps to reduce Covid worries and threats from other viruses, too.
What are the benefits of air purification for business?
The average human inhales around 10,000 litres of air per day. However, because we don’t see the air around us, it’s no surprise that we invest less in air solutions than we do in cleaning products and disinfectant solutions.
We understand that when it comes to creating a hygienic and healthy space, air quality is a priority. With the help of an air purification system, you can remove harmful toxins from the air around you. These systems give you peace of mind that your indoor spaces are oxygenated and filled with clean and fresh air.
Air purification systems also provide proper ventilation. They prevent the spread of germs, reduce disease transmission and keep your facility safe. With these benefits, air purifiers also help to:
Treat odours in communal areas
Create a fresh and natural smell
Treat contamination
Reassure staff and customers
Where can air purification systems be installed?
Our Ozone Air Purifier solution can be used in all types of workspaces, such as shops, hotels and restaurants. Air purification reduces the risk of illness and provides benefits for people in these environments.
With an air purification system, you’ll be able to reassure people that you’re taking all necessary steps to remove contaminants from the air and improve indoor air quality.
To learn more about why air purification is important for your business, talk to our hygiene experts today. They can explain how the Ozone Air Purifier helps reduce your risk against COVID-19 and other airborne infections.
We understand that infectious diseases can pose a risk to your stable if they’re not taken care of in a timely manner. We also understand the role that linens and fabric horse gear can play in the transmission of illnesses.
Horse flu, Strangles and Ringworm are a danger to both your horses and your investment. We know that good laundry protocols, biosecurity and vaccination measures go a long way. We’re here to help you minimise the risk. Here’s how…
What laundry equipment do I need for stables?
As a stable owner you’ll have a lot of fabric horse gear that needs washing, such as blankets, rugs, numnahs and saddle pads.
Due to the size and weight of these items, you’ll need heavy-duty laundry solutions for your stables, such as commercial and industrial washing machines and tumble dryers. After all, most of your rugs, blankets and other large items will need washing and drying daily. This means your laundry equipment needs to have an excellent holding capacity.
It’s worth considering whether breakdown cover is needed for your laundry equipment. This will help prevent a backlog of laundry so that your horses don’t run out of clean items.
How to clean stable equipment
When cleaning stable equipment and fabric horse gear, it’s important to be thorough. Our innovative OTEX ozone disinfection system can be used to disinfect laundry in under 10 minutes. It can also disinfect rooms in under an hour.
We can provide warewashing solutions that keep feed tubs, buckets and other items thoroughly sanitised. This reduces the risk of spreading diseases throughout the stable and protects equine health.
Our cleaning solutions make us the preferred partner of several established horse stables across the UK, including the renowned Paul Nicholls Racing Stables and Heyside Farm & Stables. If you’re interested in a bespoke solution for your stable, speak to our team today.
We’re here to help
Your critical equipment is just that – critical. So whether you need advice on how we can help with new solutions and servicing, booking an engineer or you want to talk to us about your account, get in touch below.
Repairs & maintenance
Book an emergency engineer or arrange planned servicing and maintenance.
