Cleaning of Auger Filler

We recently attempted to fill Ground Turmeric (5% Curcumin V.O) into our retail spice jars. However, unfortunately, the ground turmeric hardened significantly during the process and then clogged the spindle, causing the machine to stop? I was wondering if there are any suggestions on the most food safe way to clean out the machine. 

Greetings,

There are a few options on the cleaning method. Depending on the difficulty of cleaning the clogged parts from the turmeric residues you may have to use stronger chemicals followed by a really thorough rinsing afterwards (think of it like an open CIP). Do not use corrosive chemicals though.

If you can take apart the equipment then you can use a combination of mechanical cleaning and then use of milder food-grade cleaning agents, rinse and re-assemble.

Is replacement of the spindle solving entirely or mostly the problem?

In my opinion you propably can't get away without using some sort of cleaning agents, so after you finish up you could follow up with a chemical residues test kit to confirm that your rinsing was successful !

Regards!

In case the auger is already with hardened product, the equipment needs to be disassembled for wet cleaning (by mechanical abrasion and mild cleaning detergents). Then the auger and the housing needs to be sanitized, air dry and (depending on the microbiological risk of the product, take sample).

As a precaution, before wet washing, you need to ensure that the auger is not made up of hollow body parts and wet washing may cause you more harm than good.

BR