Tips for care, maintenance, and refurbishment

(Photo: Höcker Group)

(Photo: Höcker Group)

(Photo: Höcker Group)

Stainless steel is robust, resistant to temperature and water, easy to clean, and very wear-resistant. All qualities that benefit not only commercial kitchens but also the meat and food industry as well as pharmaceuticals. However, to ensure that the material truly retains its original function over the long term, proper care is essential. The Höcker Group produces high-quality stainless steel products based on many years of experience, focusing on keeping them beautiful and functional for a long time.

Cleaning is an obvious part of the regular maintenance of equipment by the company. If stainless steel surfaces become unsightly due to regular use and cleaning agents, hygiene stations, lifting and tipping devices, and others can be professionally restored visually. Either during a visit with the Höcker service vehicle or in the workshop. Professional surface treatment helps save material and costs in the long run.

Exkurs: The longevity and hygienic advantages of stainless steel are due to its ability to form a so-called passive layer on its surface. This is a thin oxide layer that naturally forms when oxygen reacts with the chromium content, protecting against rust and corrosion. Because of this property, stainless steel is colloquially also called "rust-free."

Stop: What can damage stainless steel

A soft sponge and dish soap – which are sufficient in domestic kitchens – are not enough in the meat and food industry as well as pharmaceuticals due to stricter regulations and higher standards. Caution is advised with aggressive cleaners with very low or high pH values or chloride concentrations. Even though stainless steel is easy to care for, not every treatment is good for it. On the contrary, some cleaners can even damage the material.

Just like vigorous scrubbing with abrasive cleaners (scouring cream) or scrubbing pads and other tools, certain ingredients in cleaners can damage the passive layer. Although it regenerates itself, it can eventually reach its limits under excessive stress. Especially if cleaners are left on for too long or used too frequently. If residues are left unnoticed on the material for an extended period, they can attack the surface. Standing water also damages stainless steel over time. The result: the stainless steel initially loses its shine and then its natural resistance. Brownish spots or superficial damage may form, often invisible to the naked eye, which can serve as long-term attack surfaces for further external influences.

How to properly clean and care for stainless steel

The key to stainless steel cleaning is thorough rinsing with clear water immediately afterward to remove cleaning residues, as well as avoiding standing water. Especially water with a high iron content can, over time, cause rust that deposits on the steel. Slight brownish-rust-colored discolorations can often be targeted and removed with a sponge and some diluted cleaning agent. If this does not achieve the desired result, the process can be repeated with a suitable stainless steel cleaner (chloride-free), but the recommended contact time in the instructions should not be exceeded. If all cleaning attempts fail or if advanced material changes are already visible, stainless steel surfaces can usually still be restored through mechanical treatment.