The burning question among Food Handlers is “What Cannot Be Used to Dry Utensils ?”!!! Yes, there is a way to dry dishes and utensils and there are dos and don’ts in it. It is strange, that the method that we used to follow at home to dry the washed utensils does not apply to Food Handlers. Moreover, it is unhygienic for the people.
Why? The reason is very simple. Read further to know the why. And, it’s surprising that you need to learn about something very common, yet different from what you practiced till now. So the question is, what is the best way to dry the utensils? Let’s look at the complete guide to dry utensils.
What NOT to do?
Once you wash the dishes and utensils in your place of work, you would be tempted to wipe them off with a dry cloth. And put them in use to serve again. It is a common practice that we practice at home. But, as a food handler, you cannot do it.
The reason being, you had to deal with a large number of utensils all day. Cleaning the dishes and sanitizing them takes a lot of effort. But, your whole effort ruins when you wipe it off with a cloth. As the cloth could have bacteria and germs that are hazardous for the health of your customers.
What to do?
Just Air Dry it. Yes, it needs a lot of patience. But, as Food Handlers, you should let the kitchen utensils dry naturally through the air before putting them to use again. At home, you could use a towel. But, in the food industry, you need to dry dishes and utensils through the air only.
After cleaning them, you could put them in a clean and sanitized dish rack. Although this will take more time for the plates to dry, it is hygienic. Meanwhile, you need to ensure that you have a stock of dishes and other utensils available to serve till the time it dries.
You should note that you need to keep the dried utensils on a clean surface. Also, ensure to keep the bowls, plates, and other things upside-down.
Guide to Washing and Drying Dishes and Utensils
You, as a food handler will come to know about the drying and cleaning process when you will be studying for your Food Handler’s permit. At that time you will realize that there is a lot more than the simple steps you used to follow at home.
The steps are not complicated and intimidating, rather they are simple but needed to be followed for the safety of your customers. Following the process, you could prevent health hazards for your customers by knowing what cannot be used to dry utensils.
Steps to Cleaning and Drying:
Step 1: Dispose of leftover
The first step is to scrape the leftover food and put them in the garbage.
Step 2: Prepare Sink
The second step is to clean and sanitize the sink for washing dishes. It ensures a clean area for the dishes and utensils to be washed in. Step 1 and Step 2 can be done interchangeably.
Step 3: Wash
The third step is to fill the first sink with hot water. Usually, there are 3 sinks in the commercial kitchens. Add the soap to it and make the water foamy. Keep the water temperature and foam in check. Change the water if it gets dirty or the foam disappears or the water cools down.
Step 4: Rinse
Fill the second sink also with clean and hot water. After washing the dishes and utensils in the first sink, clean off the foam by rinsing in the second sink.
Step 5: Sanitize
This step is very important. In the third sink, add a sanitizer and soak the utensils in it for the recommended duration of time. This will ensure the safety of the dishes and utensils to serve.
Step 6: Air Drying Dishes
This is the last step if you are again using the dishes and utensils as soon as it dries. You, as a Food Handler, always keep on asking what cannot be used to Dry Utensils? Here is the answer to that. You must let the utensils and dishes air dry. And never use a cloth or towel to dry dishes and utensils.
Step 7: Store it properly
If you are not going to use the utensils and dishes immediately, make sure they are properly dried. And as mentioned earlier also, keep them upside down.
Why is it Important?
In Food and Hospitality industry, a level of safety and cleanliness is needed. This is to ensure the health of customers only. This is indirectly linked with the image of your business only. Also, the simple task of just cleaning will require practice and steps to follow, unlike what you used to follow at home.
It is important to ensure the safety of health, maintain cleanliness, and practice food safety. For you as a Food Handler, it is the most essential part and all the way more important. Following these steps will not only ensure that you are a safe Food Handler, but also that you are in the best position to get the certificate.
Where to get the Certificate?
You can get the certificate of Food Handlers from 360 training. The first step is to clear the test, and then you will get the certificate. There are other platforms also to get the certification of Food Handlers.
Which Instrument to use for Drying Dishes and Utensils?
First, let’s see what cannot be used to dry utensils and dishes. You should not use a washboard to dry them. It is because there is no space for the water to go. It will just remain on the table. That means the dishes and utensils will not be able to air dry.
Now, what to use? There are several instruments to use such as utensil rack, drainboard, etc.
- In Utensil Rack, you can place the dishes and utensils there and let them air dry.
- In Drainboard, it will allow the water to move away as you keep the utensils on it. Keep it near the sink so water will not spill everywhere.
So, the conclusion is that washboard cannot be used for Air drying the utensils.
CONCLUSION
What cannot be used to dry utensils? This is the most common question asked by Food Handlers. This article gives you the whole insight on that topic.
As a Food Handler, you are responsible for the safety and hygiene of the food you serve and also the dishes and utensils you serve in. You will get to know that the very common thing that you were following to dry the utensils till now is the only thing that is not practiced in the Commercial Kitchens. That common thing is, to dry utensils with cloth or towel.
There is a step-by-step approach followed in the commercial kitchens as mentioned in the article to dry the utensils. Also, these very simple steps will ensure the health safety of your customers and will also put you in a good position to get your Food Handlers Certificate.
Cleaning the dishes and utensils is a part of your Food Serving business. But it takes a lot of effort to systematically do it. By not properly drying it you are ruing your whole efforts. Also, the instruments that you use to dry your utensils and dishes play an important role in the drying process.
Interesting?! Read the whole article about drying the utensils from the Food Handler’s perspective.
