Tips to Prepare Your Stainless Steel Equipment for Summer
The East Coast of the United States saw one of the most brutal winters in years. With record snowfall & frigid temperatures, it truly was the dark days of winter. But, that is finally over with.
As we head deeper into April, the summer months are right in front of us & that means outdoor dining is ready to make its long-awaited resurgence. We’re welcoming it with open arms. With that said, equipment, particularly stainless steel, should be prepped for the busy (& hot) outdoor season.
In this article, we will give you 4 tips to prepare you for the upcoming summer restaurant rush. We’ll be including general & maintenance suggestions to guide you. Let’s jump right into it.
1. Clean, Of Course
It goes without saying that cleanliness should be priority #1, no matter what season it is. This is especially important if your equipment is exposed to the outdoor elements during the summer months.
It’s time to take a cleaning day & get into those nooks & crannies. Remember to use only a soft microfiber towel – no wool or metal brushes allowed. Use a non-harsh cleanser like baking soda as well – don’t think about using any cleansers with chlorine or bleach in them. Wipe with the grain as always.
Cleaning should be a daily chore, but with the summer season it is a good idea to give it a little extra effort to ensure your equipment looks top notch.
2. Throw Shade
The summer season brings intense heat & humidity along with harmful UV rays. Although stainless steel generally blocks these UV rays, discoloration/fading can occur if exposed over a long period of time. Our suggestion is to try & set up a canopy or covering to protect your equipment from sunlight & keep it looking fresh.
If this is not possible, using a protective wax, clear coat or polish on the equipment is acceptable.
3. Risk of Rain
Rain is a common occurrence in summer (must to the dismay of many). With that said, water spots can present themselves on stainless steel equipment. The key is to dry surfaces immediately after rain exposure with a simple microfiber cleaning cloth to prevent mineral deposits.
Remember, if left untreated, these water spots can potentially become etched & can become a real hassle to get rid of. Removing any unsightly water spots will make your stainless steel shine the way it was meant to.
4. What About Coastal Areas?
Many facilities operate near the ocean. For coastal areas, salt in the air presents a real risk to any nearby metal. Stainless steel can become pitted & damaged when exposed to the salt-laced air. We have two suggestions to safeguard against this:
a. Fresh Water Rinsing – use a healthy amount of fresh water to rinse off the equipment then dry it off completely.
b. Protective Wax – apply it on the surface to function as a barrier against the airborne salts.
Failure to do any of these 2 tasks will no doubt result in stainless steel damage & potential costly replacement. In fact, it is mandatory to have Type 316 stainless steel equipment as this is considered “marine grade” & resists salt laced atmospheres.
With all of that said, we wish you a great upcoming summer full of success & joy. We hope the above tips will get you through the season unscathed. For some more maintenance tips & vital guidelines, click here.
