Today we are going to talk about keeping your food truck clean!
Cleanliness is so important, especially in a small space, cooking for the masses. At the end of a long day working on the truck it can be tempting to save the deep clean-up for the morning but DON’T! Make sure every night you have a check list of what to clean.
You should also have a list of daily, weekly, monthly, and semiannually cleaning to dos. Here is a list to help guide you:
During your shift on the truck make sure to clean the following:
- Brush the grill between cooking red meat, poultry, and fish.
- Wipe down the cooking line and prep areas.
- Switch cutting boards.
- Empty the trash (use public trash receptacles to do this; don’t use privately owned dumpsters).
At the end of your shift clean the following:
- Clean the fryers.
- Clean the microwave (inside and outside).
- Brush the grill.
- Wash and sanitize all surfaces (cutting boards, the service window ledge, cooking line, and prep tables).
- Empty and clean the steam table.
- Cover all bins in the cooler with plastic wrap.
- Wash the floor mats.
- Sweep and mop the truck floor.
- Change any foil linings on the grill, range, and flattops you use.
- Wash the can opener.
- Wash hood filters by hand or run them through a dishwasher.
At the end of the week clean the following:
- Empty coolers and wash and sanitize them.
- Remove lime on sinks and faucets.
- Clean the coffee machine.
- Clean the ovens. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Sharpen knives (okay, this isn’t cleaning per se, but it needs to be done).
- Oil cast-iron cookware.
At the end of the month clean the following:
- Wash behind the hot line (oven, stove, and fryers) to cut down on grease buildup, which is a major fire hazard.
- Clean freezers.
- Empty and sanitize the ice machine.
- Calibrate ovens.
- Calibrate thermometers.
- Wash walls and ceilings.
- Wipe down the dry storage area.
- Restock your first-aid kit.
- Update your material safety data sheets, which outline how to safely use any chemicals in your kitchen.
At least twice a year clean the following:
- Clean the exhaust hoods twice a year.
- Some professional companies specialize in hood cleaning. Doing this job yourself can be very messy and time consuming. Simply search for professional companies online or in your local yellow pages.
- Check fire extinguishers (this task may need to be done twice a year, depending on where you live).
- Check the fire suppression system.
- Clean the pilot lights on gas kitchen equipment.
- Have a professional pest control company inspect your vehicle for signs of pests and have them removed.
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