Cleaning Produce Washing Equipment: Root Barrel Washer Checklist
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program
Months of research was conducted on a root barrel washer to determine the best way to clean the equipment given that it was not designed to be easily taken apart and cleaned. Hard-to-reach places were identified through the tracking of vegetable matter and debris dispersed within the barrel washer during use. An acceptable level of cleanliness completed in a reasonable amount of time was identified. The equipment cleanliness was based on visual criteria only; further investigation of the microbial level is still required.
To the best of our efforts, areas of critical cleaning are identified in this checklist as well as all other sections necessary to clean.

Additional photos and instructions on cleaning a root barrel washer can be found in the presentation below.
Cleaning Produce Washing Equipment: Root Barrel Washer Checklist (pdf; 2389KB)
Presentation: Cleaning a Root Barrel Washer (pdf; 1476KB)


Upcoming Events
Chipping Potato Twilight Meeting

August 25, 2022
Dansville, NY
View the chipping potato variety trial and hear updates from Walter De Jong of Cornell! Mike Mager of Arctic Refrigeration will provide updates in potato storage. Brian Nault, Cornell, and Margie Lund, CCE, will talk about insecticidal rotations for Colorado potato beetle and other potato insect updates. 1.0 DEC (categories 1a, 10, 23) recertification credits are available.