Soda Fountain Cleaning Tips

Understanding the Importance of Clean Soda Fountains

Soda fountains require regular maintenance and cleaning to provide us with our favorite fizzy drinks. But why is that? The answer goes beyond keeping all parts in working order. Even more importantly, it’s to ensure health and safety. Preventing foodborne illnesses and complying with regulations are two main reasons why soda fountain cleaning is essential.

Overview of Foodborne Illnesses and Their Link to Unclean Soda Fountains

An unclean soda fountain machine isn’t just unattractive; it’s a breeding ground for bacteria. Microorganisms love the sugary environment of soda machine dispensers and can rapidly multiply if they’re not regularly eliminated with thorough cleaning. Consumption of contaminated soda can lead to foodborne illnesses, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. For example, bacteria like E. coli and Listeria can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.

A study by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found that soda fountain machines were among the top six germiest places in fast-food and quick-service restaurants. A different, equally alarming, study found coliform bacteria (a sign of fecal contamination) in almost 50% of soda fountain machines tested. Therefore, regular fountain cleaning is crucial to prevent such hazardous infections.

Relevance of Health and Safety Regulations for Soda Dispensers

In addition to being a health risk, unclean fountain machines can land businesses in hot water with health inspectors. Various health and safety regulations prioritize ensuring that soda fountain cleaning practices are up to standard. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA lays down stringent guidelines for how to clean fountain dispensers properly and how often they should be done.

Keeping up with cleaning routines is vital for everyone’s health and safety, but what about the equipment? Explore this article to see why routine maintenance is essential for the performance of your soda fountains and the equality of the beverages they serve.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Fountain Dispensers

Before you start sanitizing and scrubbing away at your equipment, you must know how to clean fountain dispensers properly. Let’s break down a reliable process for cleaning a fountain machine:

Gathering Supplies and Preparing Area

Start by getting organized—gather all the supplies you need to clean your soda machine, such as:

Clean cloths
Soft-bristle brush
Sanitizer solution
A bucket for collecting water and debris
Access to hot water

After collecting the necessary cleaning supplies, you should prepare your working environment. This might involve moving the soda fountain machine to a more open area where you can comfortably reach all its parts or simply clearing the surrounding area so you have space to work.

Shutting Down and Disassembling the Soda Fountain

The next step is shutting down your soda machine to avoid electrical hazards and facilitate cleaning. Once the machine is safely switched off, you can begin disassembling it. Different models will have varying disassembly procedures, so referring to the product manual is crucial. You may have to remove the ice bin, dispensing valves, spill tray, and other removable parts for cleaning.

Cleaning the Dispenser Nozzles

The dispensing valves, often called nozzles, come into direct contact with the drink served, so their cleanliness is vital. Cleaning them involves soaking them in hot, soapy water and then scrubbing them softly with a brush, ensuring no damage to any parts. After this, they should be thoroughly rinsed and soaked in a sanitizer to kill any remaining bacteria or microorganisms.

Reassembling and Starting Up the Soda Fountain

After diligently cleaning each part, it’s time to put everything back together. Pay attention to the reassembling process, as improper assembly can lead to leaked soda or a malfunctioning machine. Once the reassembling is completed correctly, you can power up your soda fountain machine again.

Flushing System to Remove Cleaning Solutions

One final important step ensures no cleaning residue remains in the soda machine. Run the dispensers to flush out any remaining detergent or sanitizer solution. Catch any runoff in a bucket for about 2-3 minutes or until all soap suds have disappeared. Once the flushing process is completed, your clean and safe-to-use soda fountain is ready to serve your customers’ favorite beverages again.

Maintaining Hygiene and Safety Between Cleaning Cycles

Maintaining a clean soda fountain machine is more than just an in-depth cleaning. Heavy-duty soda fountain cleaning is crucial, but if you’re not doing the small things that matter, you can end up with unhealthy dispensing valves and an unhygienic fountain machine. The simple daily and weekly routines play a key role in complementing your complete dispenser cleaning process.

Don’t forget this simple mantra: a little maintenance often spares an extensive repair.

Daily/Weekly Cleanliness Best Practices

Let’s start with the best practices for fountain cleaning that you should adhere to every day or week. Even after understanding how to clean fountain dispensers, don’t underestimate the importance of these regular tidying errands. They could prevent bad tastes, bacterial build-up, and dispensing mishaps.

Clean the exterior: Wipe down the exterior of the soda machine every day to rid it of any spills or splatters. This includes the ice bin, dispensing valves, and all other surface areas. Use a clean, warm, soapy water combo and a sanitizer solution for best results.
Clear the ice chute: Never underestimate the ice chute! Routinely check and clean your ice chute, ensuring no mold is lurking inside. You can simply use a clean cloth with mild soap and hot water, then rinse.
Clean the spill tray: Pay attention to it since it is often overlooked during regular cleanups. Remove the tray, empty it, clean it with soap and hot water, make sure it’s dry, and then return it to its rightful place.
Inspect the ice maker: Use a flashlight and look for any visible contaminants or ice-size irregularities. Any concerns should prompt a thorough cleanup of the ice bin.

Recognizing When Professional Maintenance Is Needed

Sometimes, even the most diligent cleaning routines fall short, and that’s where professional maintenance comes in. While your daily and weekly soda fountain cleaning practices are vital, occasionally calling in the experts is necessary.

You might need to call professionals if you notice persistent tastes/odors even after cleanup, visible mold, uncommon noise during operation, low soda yield, or faulty or worn-out parts and hardware. Sure, these issues might seem overwhelming, but remember, even the best fountain machine requires some professional TLC now and then.

Soda fountain hygiene is not a sprint but a marathon. Your best bet is maintaining consistent cleanliness habits, guaranteeing the quality of your beverages, and extending the life of your components.

Trust United Fast Food & Beverage With Your Fountain Cleaning Service Needs

For over 30 years, UFFB has provided our clients throughout the Midwest with top-notch fountain cleaning, installation, maintenance, and repair services. Our team prides itself on providing prompt, efficient, and effective services that minimize disruptions and downtime. Reach out today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions.