Beverage Dispenser Spigot Sanitation
When the operators of hotels, catering companies, cafes, and other foodservice businesses need to serve refreshing cold drinks, they may turn to plastic or glass beverage dispensers. These are attractive and decorative options for setups that allow guests to refill their own drinks. They are often made to be clear, which means the contents are visible and enticing to customers, especially if the drink is infused with colorful fruit.
Of course, what your guests can't see is whether the beverage dispenser they're using is sanitary, so they're counting on your business to have procedures in place that ensure your equipment is routinely cleaned – and that includes the spigots. Failure to implement a routine cleaning schedule means your beverage dispensers may not be hygienic, but it also means they may fail to properly dispense liquid.
Cleaning Your Beverage Dispenser Spigot
The spigot, or faucet, is a small but vital component of any beverage dispenser. If you are serving a drink that includes fruit, such as lemonade with sliced lemons or water infused with cucumbers, pulp and other fruit particles are likely flowing toward the spigot when the drink is dispensed. These particles, along with residue from sugary drinks served from the dispenser, can become stuck in and around the spigot, potentially interfering with dispensation and welcoming the growth of bacteria.
If you've ever purchased a new beverage dispenser only to discover it stopped properly dispensing drinks after being in use for a couple of weeks, the issue may have been an improperly maintained spigot rather than a faulty unit. Some manufacturers offer beverage dispensers with infuser tubes or pulp filters that help keep fruit particles away from the spigot, but the spigots on these units should still be routinely cleaned to remove residue, since residue left behind by drinks can negatively impact the way your beverages taste to customers. Cleaning and sanitizing spigots is the only way to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria that could potentially make guests sick.
Beverage dispensers use spigots with two main parts: the faucet body with a lever that controls the flow of liquids and a tube that allows beverages to reach the faucet. To prevent leaks, there are additional parts like washers and nuts that ensure the connection is airtight. This construction means the spigot can be removed from the dispenser container and thoroughly cleaned. Although specific cleaning information and recommendations can be found in literature provided by the manufacturer with your purchase, you should consider cleaning beverage dispensers and spigots by hand after each use to ensure your units are sanitary.
