How to Clean a Bread Slicer Safely

by Carole Vansickle

Overview

Commercial bread slicers are used to slice entire loaves of bread in even, consistent slices. These slicers are power-operated in most cases, so you must be very careful when cleaning them to ensure that you do not snag your clothing, slice your hand or get any parts of the machinery wet. Commercial bread slicers are razor sharp, so they require particular care while cleaning them.

Step 1

Unplug any electric parts of the slicer. If it is battery-powered, turn off the slicer completely.
Step 2

Wearing a safety glove to protect your hands, remove any large chunks of bread that are wedged in any part of the slicer.
Step 3

Wipe down the bread slicer using a rag dampened with sanitizer. Leave your safety glove on for this step. If the bread slicer is also used to slice any type of deli meats, you should dispose of the rag after wiping down the slicer. Be sure to clean the blade as well as the surface of the slicer. This requires great caution, and you should never press on the blade with the rag while you are cleaning.
Step 4

Wipe down the slicer with hot water. This will eliminate the risk of the next loaf of bread tasting like sanitizer, and it will further sterilize the equipment. Run your tap water as hot as possible over the rag, then wring it out and use it to wipe off the bread slicer.
Step 5

Use another clean, dry rag to dry off the slicer. To avoid rust, you need to be sure that the bread slicer is entirely dry. Dry every part, but do not use extreme pressure or press down at all when you are cleaning the blade.

2
Clean rags Safety glove Sanitizing solution
Clean rags
Safety glove
Sanitizing solution
Run all detachable parts of the slicer through the dishwasher on a scalding cycle at least once every shift. This will help prevent spoilage if the slicer is cleaned ineffectively by hand.
Run all detachable parts of the slicer through the dishwasher on a scalding cycle at least once every shift. This will help prevent spoilage if the slicer is cleaned ineffectively by hand.
Bread slicers and general deli slicers should be cleaned after every use.
Bread slicers and general deli slicers should be cleaned after every use.

References & Resources