All sanitary mixers have in common that they must be free from cracks, crevices, undercut welds, and have welds ground.  The categories are then defined by the end use.

We make six categories of sanitary mixers, all are CDA, USDA, FDA accepted: sanitary carbon, general food grades, super sanitary food grade, 3A, pharmaceutical.

1. Carbon steel can be used for any product that is being cooked before eating.  We have made several for mixing roasted coffee beans.  The inside of the machine can be polished or impregnated with food grade Teflon. 

The caution with selecting any of the categories is the cleaning fluids.  If you use water on carbon, obviously it will discolor from rust.  If you use some other chemical it could attack any metal and pit.
 
2. Going up the investment chain, the next choice would be a stainless contact with carbon reinforcing on the outside, and perhaps painted all outside or just the ends. If you are loading over the side, it is best not to have paint that will chip. You would choose a type of stainless that would resist any liquids you may be putting in and your cleaning chemicals. Eventually, the paint will deteriorate.  If there is moisture in the area and you have carbons guards, they will rust and maybe bolts will rust in.

3.  The next step is to go with an all stainless machine, except for the power transmission, and you may want the motor and gearbox washdown if you are using more than garden hose type pressure to wash.  This machine will maintain its appearance and will be more sevicable.  The type of stainless will depend upon liquids added and cleaning fluids.

4.  Super sanitary is required when there can be germ growth or mould developing inside guards or above the mixing zone, and you need to hit every part of the machine with a fire hose.  The air cylinders should be upgraded to limit corrosion, all guards have to be perforated, and all seals capable of being washed, preferably in place. 

5.  3A is a specification started for dairy use and has spread to other industries such as infant formula.  There is a 3A spec. and then there are “best available” and how much money you want to spend.  Toolless, washable shaft seals are common.  Opening seals is usually Y gasket that is removable for washing. 

Then there are variations of the drive (generally we supply washdown).  The bearings will be coated with epoxy.  The electrics will be waterproof, stainless junction boxes and conduit. 

The bearings and seals can be boxed with stainless.  We resist that because when they are not seen, they are not cleaned nor repaired when there is a leakage. 

With 3A it is better to have agreement on the spec. before quoting because of the variations that are accepted under “best available”.

6.  Pharmaceutical also can have variances.  We would typically electro-polish for better clean ability.

We have never had a machine rejected by the inspectors, so we are confident we can meet all your needs for sanitary machines.   

Machines are available in single rotor or double rotor configurations.  Refer to those pages for size ranges.