Most restaurants are required to have a commercial sink consisting of three or more compartments to manually clean and sanitize utensils and equipment. But washing smallwares by hand is subject to health and safety standards just like everything else in the food service industry. Here's a brief overview of how to properly wash, rinse and sanitize in your three-compartment sink:
1. First be sure to rinse, scrape or soak all items to rid them of any leftover food or residue.
2. Wash items in the first compartment of the sink which should be filled with and mixture of hot water that is at least 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) and a detergent solution. Be sure to drain and refill the sink whenever the water becomes dirty or soap suds are gone.
3. Next rinse items in the second compartment with warm water by either holding the items under the running faucet or filling the sink and dipping the items in and out of the water. If dipping items be sure to change out rinse water regularly.
4. Then sanitize all items by soaking them in the third compartment which should be filled with hot water and/or a sanitation solution. Follow the time and temperature requirements of the solution you are using and test the concentration of the mixture with a test kit.
5. Finally set all sanitized items on a clean surface to air dry. Most standards require that you have a drain board on at least one side of your sink for this purpose.
Also remember to clean and sanitize your sink before using it to clean and sanitize your utensils and equipment.
