The Importance of CIP Systems in Breweries

There has always been an emphasis on hygiene and sanitation in the food and beverage industry. Without the proper precautions and procedures in place, bacteria can run rampant through a facility, contaminate ingredients and products, and lead to severe issues.

Breweries are one area of the beverage industry that must take extra care to ensure their facility is clean; the pipes and tanks they rely on aren't easy to clean by hand, which means bacteria can linger even after the equipment is cleaned. To prevent this, it is vital to invest in high-quality brewery equipment that is equipped with Clean-In-Place (CIP) technology.

WHAT IS A CIP SYSTEM? WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE?

A brewery CIP system cleans food and beverage equipment without dismantling it or workers having to do anything. CIP systems are used throughout various industries and are heavily relied upon to meet necessary hygiene standards. The design of these systems can vary depending on the intended application, industry, and plant standards. They can be portable or stationary and can even feature multiple tanks. While they can differ in many ways, their build is always the same, with similar parts for it to function.

The purpose of a CIP system in a brewery is to make maintaining hygiene and sanitation levels easier. CIP systems cut down on the time it takes to clean by cutting down on the necessary manual labor. This allows workers to focus on other tasks within the facility. CIP systems also reduce human error, by ensuring that the right amount of cleaning agents and that no part of the equipment is left untouched.

HOW CIP SYSTEMS WORK

CIP systems vary depending on the industry and the facility, but they generally all follow the same steps. In facilities for brewing, CIP processes start with an initial rinse with plain water to remove any loose debris and yeast residue. Then, a caustic wash is pushed through the CIP pumps to remove any residue and bacteria.

After the caustic wash, another plain water rinse removes the chemicals. Then, there is an acid cleaning cycle followed by a final plain water rinse. Finally, the last steps are to disinfect the equipment with hot water, and then end with a sanitizer rinse.

A CIP cycle in a brewing facility can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. The entire process is automatic; workers do not have to worry about mixing chemicals or starting the next stage of the cycle.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BREWERY CIP SYSTEM?

Without CIP, cleaning facility equipment becomes a much longer and more labor-intensive process. For the best clean possible, workers may have to dismantle equipment and go through similar steps of the CIP process. Even if workers take the time to be thorough, they can still potentially miss a spot, which can leave residue that can grow and lead to product contamination later on.

Without a CIP system, brewery workers will be the ones mixing the cleaning solutions; potentially at the wrong concentrations, which can be extremely dangerous for themselves and the equipment. The CIP system ensures that all solutions are mixed to the appropriate concentration and they flow through the equipment without disassembly, which saves on both time and labor.

WHY CIP IS A MUST FOR BREWERIES

Without CIP, brewing facilities will have a much more difficult time maintaining a hygienic facility. It increases the possibility of bacteria growth, as workers may not remove all the residue or debris on their own, which can lead to a higher risk of contamination during the brewing process. This can lead to product recalls, loss of revenue, and potentially even legal consequences.

Without a brewery CIP system, the cleaning and sanitation process can take significantly longer. Workers will have to disassemble the equipment, clean each part individually, and then reassemble everything. This takes more time away from brewing, which can also result in less revenue. Equipment can become damaged during the cleaning process if workers are not careful and thoroughly trained.

CIP systems are the best option for breweries to save money and use their time as efficiently as possible.

FOR HYGIENIC BREWING, CIP IS A MUST

Beer is a beverage that is in high demand. If you want your brewery to be successful, it needs to meet the appropriate hygiene levels. You could manually clean your equipment, however, it is neither the best nor the most effective way to clean. Instead, you want to invest in equipment with CIP systems. CIP systems will perform automatic cleanings in a fraction of the time an employee would, going through all the necessary steps for the most thorough clean possible.

Even floor drainage can have CIP capabilities, which allows you to ensure that every part of your facility is cleaned and sanitized the same way every time.

There are many options for CIP equipment available. For drainage options, look no further than FoodSafe Drains. Contact us today to learn more about our floor drainage systems, including our CIP technology!