Checklist for Cleaning a Root Barrel Washer

Agriculture
Vegetables

Root barrel washers are challenging to clean because they are made of wood, debris is dispersed when the barrel spins, debris can get lodged in small spaces, and reaching into the barrel requires long handled tools. Critical cleaning points are identified in this root barrel washer checklist.

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.

Cleaning challenges with a root barrel washer:

it is made of soft wood
the barrel spins around so the debris that is on the bottom quickly goes to the top which can drop down on vegetables
there are many small spaces for debris to get lodged in while the barrel is in operation
reaching into the barrel requires long handled tools

Because of the wooden construction, scrubbing is essential to remove soil and debris. Rinsing after each day’s use is essential for keeping soil and debris from drying and caking onto the surface and into cracks etc.

Cleaning Tools

Stiff bristle brush
Long handle brush or pad to clean flat surface of staves
Long handle with a stiff bristle bottle brush to get in between staves
Thin bottle brushes to reach in tight spaces such as under bands, stave cracks, screw heads, drive chain links
Motorized brush (brush chucked in power drill) for extra power to remove dried debris.
A water hose is useful for cleaning but too much pressure will splatter debris in a wide area. For less pressure, a pump sprayer can be utilized.

Fill the sprayer with proper food grade detergent. Use brushes or long handle pad to scrub off debris. Rinse with potable water. Use a pump sprayer with sanitizer to complete the job. Follow sanitizer label directions.

Close up of a drill with a brush chucked in. The thin brush fits between two wooden slats in a root barrel washer.

A small diameter (3/8”) bottle brush chucked in a power drill. The handle end was wrapped in electrical tape tight for a thicker end piece to fit into the drill chuck.

Three zip ties hold a wire handled brush onto the end of long broom handle.

A wire handled brush can be zip tied onto a long handle to create a brush that can reach all the way into the root barrel washer.

A long red handle with a small brush attached to it is reaching into a wooden root barrel washer. The small brush fits between the staves.

A long handle with a stiff bristle bottle brush can be used to get in between staves.

Getting Started

IMPORTANT: Unplug the equipment while cleaning it to avoid injury. It may be necessary to turn the barrel to clean all the areas. Unplug again before continuing the cleaning process.