Restaurant cleaning procedures take unnecessarily long and prevent your staff from focusing on higher-value aspects of operation. What if you could offload your restaurant hygiene by automating key tasks?
Advanced sanitation technologies reduce the manual aspect of a clean kitchen so that you remain compliant while keeping a safe kitchen for guests.
It’s a win-win for everyone.
And you can start with self-cleaning surfaces.
5 Smart Restaurant Solutions for Self-Cleaning Success
For true self-cleaning, you need the right technology by your side. Some of the leading solutions include:
1. Beverage Dispensing Systems
Drink dispensers require a lot of cleaning. You need to clean your nozzles, sprayers and other components to prevent bacterial growth. Sugary drinks, such as sodas, also contribute to contamination.
For food quality control, beverage dispensing systems are one of the easiest wins you’ll have.
In terms of customer satisfaction, they’ll see clean machines that are safe to drink from and don’t have a syrupy mess to clean up.
You’ll find multiple types of systems that fall into this category:
- Bag-in-box systems: Automatically mix concentrates with water using the exact ratio every time. Customers receive the same great taste while you waste less material and have a much lower risk of syrup issues.
- Cocktail and spirits dispenser: Reduce overpouring and waste with the help of a cocktail and spirits dispenser.
- Draft beer systems: Automate your beer dispensing with units that control everything from portion size and pressure to the temperature of each drink. Add in self-cleaning options and your dispensing system becomes one of your most reliable pieces of equipment.
- Juice and smoothie dispenser: Smoothie and juice dispensers use portion-controlled systems to blend and dispense fresh juice. You’ll have perfectly mixed juices from a machine that reduces spills and drips for a surface that is easier to clean.
And on top of hygiene and cleaner surfaces, beverage dispenser systems also provide portion control, speed and consistency. Advanced systems also offer inventory tracking, so you can monitor dispensing in real-time and prevent potential theft.
2. Combination Ovens
Oven cleaning takes a lot of time and patience. It’s an intensive process that costs you time and money. Combination ovens use high heat settings to clean your oven, removing any bacteria that may be left behind.
High heat and steam dispense cleaning agents that remove buildup.
3. Dishware
Piles of dishes are always a kitchen’s worst nightmare. Once you have one set of tables cleared and the dishes done, it seems to pile back up almost instantly. During rush hour, your employees may skimp out on cleaning, causing a slowdown in service or dirty dishes that accumulate.
Commercial dishwashers make quick work of your dishes, but you can do even more to make cleaning easier:
- Dishes with food residue repellent will make cleaning easier.
- Opt for dishwasher-safe dishes that can withstand commercial dishwashers.
You’ll also find tunnel dishwashers that have higher capacities and are able to wash, rinse and dry dishes. All your staff have to do is load and unload the dishwasher.
Additional technology that is starting to be introduced to commercial kitchens includes:
- Pre-rinse systems that detect dishes and rinse them before they go into the dishwasher.
- Robotic sorting and unloading systems that identify, pick up, and sort dishes onto the shelves and racks you choose.
- Smart racking systems that track dish volume and usage patterns.
- Heated drying conveyors take the work out of drying and stacking your dishes.
With the addition of the Internet of Things and predictive maintenance, you can sync systems together and offer your team alerts when tasks are complete or breakdowns occur.
4. Rotisseries
Grease is a major problem in commercial kitchens. Buildup forms and, if left long enough, can lead to potential fires. With modern rotisseries, the machine will detect the grease and begin removing it on its own.
You may still need to go spot clean it, but it reduces your team’s workload dramatically.
Automated cleaning cycles encourage better hygiene practices while also offering programmable options that put you in control of the cleaning process.
5. Ultraviolet Light Sanitizing Systems
UV light systems damage the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, including:
- Bacteria
- Mold
- Spores
- Viruses
Once the DNA and RNA are damaged, they’re unable to reproduce. When using dishware, the dishes will pass through these sanitizing systems and the bacteria are destroyed.
You’ll also find these UV-C sanitizing systems in cabinet or chamber units, tunnel systems, portable devices and even overhead room sanitizing units. Overhead units are ideal for surface sanitization and treat the air to remove airborne allergens.
UV-C will also kill pathogens, such as E. coli, MRSA, norovirus and Salmonella.
One of the main benefits of UV-C is that it also leaves no residue, tastes or smells behind. Since there are no chemical sanitizers involved, it’s one of the best natural ways to clean a restaurant kitchen.
And since UV uses less energy than heat sanitizing, it’s gentler on your materials.
Benefits of Self-cleaning Surfaces
Food safety in restaurants also means having clean surfaces that resist and repel contaminants.
Kitchen sanitation standards are easier to maintain when you have a surface that offers:
- Reduced labor and cleaning time: Self-cleaning surfaces shed bacteria, dirt and grease on their own. Instead of spending time scrubbing, your team members will be free to complete other tasks.
- Improved hygiene consistency: Self-cleaning systems offer uniform sanitation that works continuously to keep your space free from contaminated spots.
- Lower chemical usage: Degreasers, detergents and sanitizing sprays are also used less often. Without these harsh chemicals, you’ll lower your footprint on the environment.
- Extended surface lifespan: Coatings on the surfaces help protect the underlying material from degradation, corrosion and staining.
Commercial kitchen sanitation requires more than just food-safe cleaning tools. You need to have a variety of tools, appliances and surfaces that make cleanup a breeze.
Technologies like antimicrobial materials, hydrophilic coatings and photocatalytic coatings also add to bacterial resistance.