One of the most commonly asked questions among food handlers studying to receive their food handlers certificate in Texas is, ‘what cannot be used to dry utensils?’
It’s strange, isn’t it? You wash and dry your dishes at home with relative ease, but now you’ve got to learn about the ins and outs of appropriate washing and drying methods. As it turns out, to keep your customers safe, you can’t dry your utensils using the same techniques you would at home.
Don’t Use Towels or Cloths
After washing dishes and utensils in your place of business, you may be tempted to find the nearest dry towel and wipe them dry. You can then start using them for food service quickly. As natural as that approach may be, it’s not the right one.
After going through several steps to ensure your food dishes and utensils are clean and sanitized, you run the risk of undoing all that hard work by using a towel that could harbor bacteria, germs, and other nasties.
So, What Do You Use to Dry Utensils?
At home, you might use a towel. However, in the food industry, you must air dry all dishes and utensils.
Once you have washed them, you can store them in a clean, sanitized dish rack for them to dry on their own. Given that this process may take longer than if you were to dry them by hand, you may need to make sure you’ve got plenty of spare dishes to serve all your current customers while those dry.
When your utensils and other dishes have dried, you can store them on a clean surface. Make sure that you store any cups, plates, or bowls upside down.
Steps for Washing and Drying in the Food Industry
When you start studying for your food handlers permit in Texas, you come to learn that there is a lot more involved in the washing and drying process of dishes and utensils than at home. It’s not necessarily a more complicated process, but it requires accuracy to keep your customers safe by helping to avoid cross contamination.
Remember, millions of people get food poisoning in the United States every year. Your washing and drying methods may just prevent that from being a problem in your establishment. All dishes should be washed, rinsed, and sanitized between uses with the following steps.
Step 1: Prepare the sink and dishes
Clean and sanitize the sink to make it a safe environment for dishes to be washed in. Scrape leftover food into the garbage.
Step 2: Wash the dishes
Fill the first sink in your establishment with hot, soapy water. As you wash your dishes, pay attention to the water temperature and presence of suds. If the water cools down too much, or the suds disappear, start again.
Step 3: Rinse the dishes
In the second sink of your commercial kitchen, add clean, hot water. You can then rinse the suds off your dishes in this sink.
Step 4: Sanitize the dishes
Most commercial kitchens have a three-sink bench. Use the third sink to sanitize your dishes. You can do this by using an approved sanitizer and allowing your dishes and utensils to soak in it for the recommended length of time.
Step 5: Air dry the dishes
You have been asking what you can’t use to dry utensils. Now you know. You can’t use anything except air. Do not use a towel or any form of fabric to dry dishes and utensils. Dry them on a clean and sanitized rack until they are dry for storage and use.
Clean Dishes and Utensils Safely
The hospitality industry requires a certain level of cleanliness to keep patrons safe. Even something as simple as cleaning dishes and utensils can require a practice that differs from what you’re used to.
As foreign as this process might be, though, it’s an essential part of getting food handler certified. These rules can not only ensure you’re a safe food handler but can also make sure you’re in the best position to pass your online course to receive your certificate.
A Food Handler Certificate From TABC Pronto Will Teach You Proper Drying Technique
Fortunately, TABC Pronto provides cost-effective and easy-to-follow food handlers certificate course content for your peace of mind. Read the information at your own pace and have that food handlers card ready to put to use in no time.