Tag Archives: lubricant

Tech Tip: Food-Grade Lubricant NSF Ratings

Posted by Devon Vogel  –  Food Safety, Production & Material Handling, Sanitation & Janitorial
November 11, 2015

Lubricant ClipartWhat do the NSF ratings mean for Food-Grade lubricants?

H1 Rated – Incidental food contact only – where there is possibility of incidental food contact, but the amount used should be the minimum required to accomplish the required technical effect on the equipment so treated.

H2 Rated – No food contact – for use in locations where there is no possibility of the lubricant or lubricated part contacting edible products.

3H Rated – Direct food contact such as release agents – these products are used on grills, loaf pans, cutters, boning benches, chopping boards, or other hard surfaces in contact with food products to prevent food from adhering during processing.

Some lubricants can be both H1 and 3H rated.

If you are unsure which lubricant to use, call our Lubricant Specialists at 800-826-8302 and provide information regarding your application and we will be happy to assist you.

 

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Tech Tip: Choosing the Proper Lubricant for Pumps & Valves

Posted by Nelson-Jameson, Inc.  –  Food Safety, General, Processing & Flow Control, Production & Material Handling, Sanitation & Janitorial
March 13, 2013

EPDM is the standard elastomer on many pumps and valves and is not compatible with petroleum-based products. Using lubricants such as the popular Petro-Gel in these applications is not a good choice as it will degrade your equipment elastomers and decrease the life of your parts.

Due to the high melting point, Petro-Gel and similar non-CIP lubricants have the potential to contaminate your product with bacteria such as Listeria. Petro-Gel has a melting point of 190°F, and typical CIP cycles are only 160-180°F, meaning the residue will not melt and clean away. If a spare part somehow came in contact with bacteria, the high melting point of these non-CIP lubricants would function to protect the bacteria during the CIP cycle and could contaminate your products!

To lubricate your EPDM pump and valve parts, use Haynes or McGlaughlin CIP films (312-2020 or 435-2005). With melting points of 120°F, they will wash away completely during your CIP cycle.

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