Baking & Snack - February 2022 - 98

featured technical expert Q&A
Christine Banaszek
Charles Ross & Son Co.
The beginning of Christine Banaszek's career in the baking industry
was entirely providential, according to her. After earning her
chemical engineering degree, Ms. Banaszek worked in academia,
teaching undergraduate students at the University of Philippines
- Diliman while pursuing a master's degree in environmental engineering.
She says this might be the track she'd still be on today
had she not answered an email from the former executive vice
president of Charles Ross & Son Co., who was recruiting engineering
graduates.
" One of the senior professors handed me the printed email and
quietly prophesied, 'Christine, this is for you.' I replied within a
couple of hours and the rest is history, " Ms. Banaszek said. " It was
certainly a 'kairos' moment beyond my own self-made plans. "
Ms. Banaszek has been with Charles Ross & Son Co. for 16 years,
starting as an application engineer. She was then promoted to sales
manager, where she helps oversee domestic and international sales.
" It's a very rewarding journey to be in this particular industry, "
What do bakers risk if they don't stick to a
maintenance and sanitation plan for their mixers?
This could compromise product quality, yield, service life of the
equipment and overall manufacturing cost.
What are the most critical maintenance tasks that
need to be performed on a mixer?
The mixer must be routinely monitored for cleanliness, shaft runout,
excessive noise or vibration, leaks and secure electrical connections.
Calibration of sensors and readouts (speed, temperature,
vacuum level, etc.) is also important.
What will a robust mixer plan entail?
With proper maintenance, the right mixing equipment will run
seamlessly for decades. Lubrication for bearings and gear reducers,
as well as seals upkeep, are the typical items in a mixer maintenance
plan. Most machines are CIP-capable, but some parts, like valve assemblies
and stuffing boxes, benefit from periodic disassembly for
inspection and deep cleaning. Your mixer vendor should be able to
guide you regarding recommended spare parts for wear items and
the quantities to have on hand.
How does a maintenance plan support consistent
product quality?
A well-specified mixer will do its job reliably and produce repeatable
results insofar as it is properly installed, operated and maintained.
How are mixers being designed today to make
maintenance and sanitation easier?
Easy maintenance and sanitation starts with proper mixer selec98
Baking & Snack February 2022 / www.bakingbusiness.com
she said. " It offers countless opportunities
to gain mastery
of not just the mixing equipment
side of the business but
also an incredibly wide range of
applications across
the
industries. Sixteen years
process
later and
I'm still excited to be part of envelopepushing
projects. There's always novel
ingredients, chemistries and processes around
the corner. Proper mixing and blending is at the heart of virtually
any production. "
Ms. Banaszek said the best part of her job is learning new applications
and collaborating with individuals from all around the world.
" Mixing really is a universal unit operation, " she said. " I get
a front row seat to product trends and advances that go on to
change the world and how we live in it. "
tion. In reality, most products can be made in a number of mixers
and through a variety of manufacturing methods. Taking the time
and due diligence to identify the best mixing strategy has longterm
benefits, not just in terms of achieving the target production
capacity but also simple maintenance, easy cleanup, shorter downtimes
and longer service life.
Once the right mixer is selected, it can then be optimized for sanitation:
high polish on stainless steel surfaces, interchangeable mix
vessels, sanitary fittings and valves that can be quickly taken apart
for thorough cleaning, drain ports, ample access to the agitators,
CIP spray nozzles, etc. On the controls side, the appropriate control
system provides electronic soft start, overload protection and other
features that help prevent premature wear and mechanical failure.
Maintenance and calibration schedules can also be pre-programmed
into PLC recipe controls so operators are less likely to overlook such
procedures. In the end, investing in a mixer of superior, robust construction
from a reputable manufacturer matters. Even if a maintenance
plan is strictly followed, there's a higher risk of breakdowns if
the equipment is not well-built in the first place.
How do certain ingredients affect the kind of mixer
you'll need?
The right mixing equipment plays a major role in creating the
product exactly to specifications. It carries out the desired homogenization,
solubilization, emulsification or deagglomeration.
Poor mixing will invariably manifest as inconsistencies in stability,
texture, taste, color and overall quality. When blending all
dry ingredients, bulk density and batch capacity will determine
the appropriate blender size. If certain ingredients tend to form
undesirable lumps, the shear intensity required to break down
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Baking & Snack - February 2022
