How to Clean a Hobart Mixer
Food prep is key, especially when it comes to mixing a wide variety of ingredients throughout the day. Hobart mixers are some of the best in the business and can be found in many restaurants, bakeries and other commercial kitchens around the world. Routine cleaning and upkeep helps your machine run at full strength 24/7. Below are helpful directions and tips for cleaning a Hobart mixer.
Supplies You'll Need:
- Mild dish soap
- Vinegar or baking soda solution
- Warm water
- Cloths
Daily Cleaning Instructions
Here are the daily cleaning procedures for Hobart mixers:
Step 1. Turn Off the Machine
Start by shutting off the machine and unplugging the power cord from the wall outlet.
Step 2. Remove Attachments & Parts
Remove bowls, agitators and other attachments from the mixer. Below are specific parts and assemblies that need to be detached on select Hobart mixer models. Make sure to double check the operations manual for any further instructions.
- A200 Mixers – Lower the bowl and move the wire cage assembly to the left, so it's positioned beneath the splash guard. Detach the agitator and bowl. While holding the wire cage assembly, rotate it completely to the left. When the front-center retainer reaches its endpoint, lower it through the flat portion on the drip cup's ridge. After lowering the front-center retainer, move the cage assembly slightly to the rear, allowing the rear retainers to clear the drip cup's ridge. The assembly can now be lowered and detached.
- HL300 & HL400 Mixers – Start by rotating the wire cage to the left until all three carriers align with the carrier escape slots on the planetary drip cup's circular ridge. Then, lift the cage up so the carriers escape from the drip cup's slots. The bowl guard wire cage can be detached by pulling toward you.
- HL600, HL800 & HL1400 Mixers – Run the mixer so the planetary is in the proper position. Lower the bowl and open the wire cage. If attached, detach the beater by pulling the plunger. Undo the bowl lock and pivot the bowl out slightly. Then, lift the scraper arm, allowing the screws to clear the mounting hole. Remove the scraper arm by pulling it toward you.
- P660 Mixers – After lowering the bowl, rotate the wire cage to the rear. Detach the agitator and bowl and return the cage to front. While holding the cage with both hands, use one of your thumbs to push the black release knob. As it releases, lower and remove the cage.
- Scraper arms – Scraper arms are included on select mixers, such as A200, D300, D330, D340, H600, L800, M802 and V1401 models. Lower the bowl to detach the scraper arm from the planetary bracket. Then, pull out on the knob and lower the arm. Take off the urethane sleeve from the arm.
Step 3. Clean Attachments & Parts
Clean the bowl, agitator, splash and bowl guards, wire cage and scraper arm (if applicable) in a sink with warm water and mild dish soap. Scrub each part carefully using a clean cloth, non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristle brush. Make sure to not clean the wiper sleeve in a dishwasher or at water hotter than 110°F.
Also, make sure to wipe down any mounting bracket, drip cup, apron and base using a clean, damp cloth. Dampen the cloth with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Rinse using a separate damp cloth soaked with only warm water. Allow all the parts to air dry or wipe with a dry cloth.
Step 4. Reinstall Attachments & Parts
Reinstall all the disassembled attachments and parts from your mixer. Check out your operations manual for specific reassembly instructions. Below are helpful resources to popular Hobart mixer models:
Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance allows your unit to stay at peak performance. You should try to lubricate your Hobart mixer at least twice a year. Here are some common maintenance and lubrication tips for popular models:
- A200 Mixers – Bowl clamps should be lubricated two times a year, and the bowl lift slideways should be lubricated once a month. To lubricate the slideways, detach the apron by unscrewing both thumb screws. Lightly apply a coat of Lubriplate 630-AA to three sides of each slideway.
- HL300 & HL400 Mixers – The bowl lift slideways should be lubricated twice a year. Lower the bowl support to access the slideways, and apply a thin coat of Lubriplate 630-AA to each slideway and the bowl supports. If the planetary seal is dry and squeaky, add a little Hobart mineral oil lubricant under the seal's lip.
- P660 Mixers – Planetary oil needs to be checked and added periodically. Check your operations manual for instructions on how to add oil. If the planetary seal is dry and squeaky, add a small amount of Hobart mineral oil lubricant under the seal's lip. The slideways and lift screw should be lubricated twice a year. Lower the bowl support to access the slideways, and apply a thin coat of Lubriplate 630-AA to each slideway and the lift screw.
Bowl Guard Maintenance
Installing the Wire Cage Assembly
- Step 1. Lower mixing bowl and remove agitator.
- Step 2. Position the ring of the wire cage assembly so the front-center retainer shoe is lined up with the gap in the circular ridge on the planetary drip cup.
- Step 3. Position the grooves so the rear retainer shoes straddle the circular ridge on the planetary drip cup.
- Step 4. Lift the front of the wire cage assembly so the front-center retainer shoe passes up through the gap in the circular ridge on the planetary drip cup.
- Step 5. Rotate the wire cage assembly to your right until all three retainer shoes straddle the ridge on the drip cup in the three opposed locations.
- Step 6. Continue rotating the wire cage assembly so the opening is to the front of the mixer (to install the accessory) or until it stops at the front-center position.
Cleaning the Wire Cage Assembly
- Step 1. The wire cage assembly may be removed and cleaned in a sink or a dishwasher.
- Step 2. To remove wire cage assembly, lower the mixing bowl, remove the agitator, hold the wire cage assembly with one hand, and with the other hand, push down on the black release knob to release the saddle shoe. Push wire cage assembly to the rear and downward.
- Step 3. After cleaning, replace wire cage assembly as described in installing the wire cage assembly.
Need more help cleaning your Hobart mixer? Check out our library of Hobart manuals for additional tips.