Industrial Plant Sanitation Solutions | Rea Steam Cleaning Equipment
Achieve Superior Food Safety and Extended Shelf Life with Advanced Industrial Steam Cleaning
In food processing facilities, effective industrial plant sanitation is critical. A truly clean and sanitized plant must be free of soils, residues, and harmful microorganisms. This ensures food products are safe for consumption and achieve maximum shelf life.
Rea industrial steam cleaning equipment delivers a powerful, reliable solution that integrates seamlessly into your existing SSOPs (Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures). It addresses the limitations of traditional cleaning methods while providing an extra layer of protection against contamination.
The Standard Multi-Step Sanitation Process
Most facilities follow a traditional sanitation protocol:
- Pre-rinse with water to remove gross soils and food residues.
- Wash with detergents to break down soils.
- Rinse to remove detergent residues.
- Apply sanitizing agents followed by a final rinse.
After cleaning, teams typically validate results through pre-operational inspections, including ATP testing for protein residues and microbial swabs to confirm safety.
While this process works for many surfaces, it falls short in fully eliminating risks in modern food plants.
Limitations of Traditional Water-Based Sanitation
Conventional methods often leave vulnerabilities:
- Water-sensitive areas — Motors, sensors, electrical components, and control panels cannot be safely washed, creating hidden harborage points for bacteria.
- Hard-to-reach spots — Crevices, pivot points, open pipes, and seams trap food residues where sanitizers cannot penetrate effectively.
- Chemical resistance — Bacteria can develop resistance to common sanitizers, requiring frequent rotation of chemicals.
- Biofilms — Protective bacterial films shield microorganisms from cleaners and sanitizers. When disrupted, they release viable bacteria onto food contact surfaces.
- Excess moisture — Pooled water promotes microbial growth in equipment and the facility.
These gaps can compromise food safety and shorten product shelf life.
Why Rea Industrial Steam Cleaning Equipment is the Superior Choice
Rea dry steam systems overcome these challenges and elevate your sanitation program:
- Safe for water-sensitive equipment — Use confidently on motors, wiring, sensors, and electronics. High-temperature steam kills bacteria without causing damage or electrical issues.
- Deep penetration — Steam reaches deep into cracks, crevices, and harborage areas, removing food residues that feed bacteria. Surfaces are heated well above lethal temperatures (160°F / 70°C) for pathogens.
- Enhanced sanitization — Optional sanitizer injection allows aerosolized hot sanitizer delivery into hard-to-reach zones, providing both immediate kill and residual protection.
- Biofilm elimination — Powerful steam combined with accessories breaks down and removes biofilms. Heat penetrates even stubborn films to kill protected bacteria.
- Low-moisture process — Uses as little as 5 gallons of water per hour. Most surfaces dry quickly as heat evaporates residual moisture, reducing the risk of bacterial growth from standing water.
Additional Food Safety and Operational Benefits
Integrating Rea into daily operations provides even greater advantages:
- Mid-shift and break cleaning — Quickly clean packaging lines during lunch breaks or changeovers. One major chicken processor achieved a 2-log reduction in bacterial counts on food contact surfaces using Rea during production breaks.
- Maintenance and refurbishment — Ideal for deep cleaning and sanitizing equipment during repairs or rebuilds, ensuring equipment is restored to hygienic standards.
Optimize Your Industrial Plant Sanitation Program
Rea industrial steam cleaning equipment delivers consistent, validated results that complement your existing protocols. It reduces reliance on excess water and chemicals while providing superior microbial control through heat — nature’s most effective sanitizer.
Ready to strengthen your food safety program? Contact us today to learn how Rea steam cleaning systems can be integrated into your facility’s sanitation procedures for cleaner equipment, safer food, and longer shelf life.