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Food-Service-Manual-for-Health-Care-Institutions

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<strong>Food</strong> <strong>Service</strong> <strong>Manual</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Institutions</strong><br />

716<br />

basis of volume needs, handling convenience, and product quality level. Bowls are raised or<br />

lowered by hand lifts on small-capacity mixers or by power lifts on larger ones. Timed mixing<br />

controls with automatic shutoffs are available. Some models have transmissions that allow<br />

speed changes while the mixer is in operation. Speed controls range from three to four or more<br />

changes in large models.<br />

Standard equipment with most mixers includes one bowl (either heavily tinned or stainless<br />

steel), one flat beater, and one wire whip. Optional accessories include bowl adapters to accommodate<br />

smaller bowl sizes, splash covers, bowl extenders, bowl dollies, and mixer agitators<br />

such as dough hooks, pastry knives, and other specialty whips and beaters. To make this<br />

equipment even more versatile, mixers are constructed with a hub on the front of the machine.<br />

Attachments such as a slicer, dicer, grinder, chopper, strainer, and shredder can be purchased to<br />

increase productivity and reduce human labor. When purchasing more than one mixer or<br />

kitchen machine, the same hub size should be selected so that attachments are interchangeable.<br />

<strong>Food</strong> Cutters<br />

Various types of specialized food cutters and choppers can supplement mixer attachments or per<strong>for</strong>m<br />

functions not otherwise possible. High-speed vertical cutter-mixers per<strong>for</strong>m cutting, blending,<br />

whipping, mixing, and kneading functions. The capacities of these floor machines range from<br />

25 to 130 quarts. The unit can be mounted on locking casters or permanently installed. Various<br />

cutting and mixing blades are available. One model is equipped with an easily removable plastic<br />

bowl inserted into the outer metal bowl to facilitate removal of food; the metal bowl also tilts <strong>for</strong><br />

easy emptying. Bowl covers can be made of solid metal or transparent plastic. Counterbalanced<br />

bowl covers interlock with the motor <strong>for</strong> safety. Because of the extremely high speed of the knife<br />

blades, large amounts of food can be prepared in seconds. Vertical cutter-mixers should be located<br />

near a hot and cold water supply and convenient floor drain <strong>for</strong> cleaning.<br />

Several other types of food cutters are available to make production jobs more efficient.<br />

<strong>Care</strong>ful study of the construction features and the functions that can be per<strong>for</strong>med by each<br />

must be undertaken be<strong>for</strong>e a selection is made. Capacities vary considerably, so food-processing<br />

requirements must be analyzed carefully. <strong>Food</strong> cutters can be obtained in table or pedestal<br />

models. Attachments <strong>for</strong> grating, dicing, slicing, and shredding also are available <strong>for</strong> some<br />

brands. Good safety features are built into every reputable manufacturer’s models. However,<br />

this does not eliminate the need <strong>for</strong> the continuous training and supervision of personnel.<br />

<strong>Food</strong> Slicers<br />

<strong>Food</strong> slicers are machines designed to slice meats and other foods uni<strong>for</strong>mly. <strong>Manual</strong> or automatic<br />

models come in various sizes, and models are available with gravity or pressure feeds. In<br />

gravity-feed machines, the food carriage is slanted, and the weight of the food pushes it against<br />

the blade. Most automatic machines have more than one carriage speed and can be operated<br />

manually. A dial <strong>for</strong> adjusting cut thickness is standard on slicers. Optional features include<br />

chutes <strong>for</strong> such foods as celery and carrots that are to be cut crosswise or fences <strong>for</strong> the carriage<br />

that allow placement of two or three rows of similar items <strong>for</strong> simultaneous slicing.<br />

Heavy-duty slicers should be driven by a 1 ⁄2-horsepower motor, and cutting blades should be<br />

12– to 14-inch stainless steel. All machines should have a minimum and maximum slice thickness<br />

and be certified by the NSF.<br />

The machine’s safety features and ease of operating and cleaning should be checked be<strong>for</strong>e<br />

a slicer is purchased. Safety features should ensure maximum protection against contact with<br />

the knife when the slicer is in use and when the blade is being sharpened. <strong>Food</strong> slicers should<br />

be easy to disassemble <strong>for</strong> cleaning.<br />

Toasters<br />

The preferred serving temperature and texture of toast is difficult to achieve in food service<br />

departments where the time lapse between preparation and service is considerable. If toast must<br />

be made in the production or central assembly area, a rotary toaster capable of producing large

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