--- title: "Retort maintenance: key to a successful operation" description: Retort itself is one of the most reliable equipment within food industry with usual low to nil maintenance costs. However, a lack of preventive maintenance could lead to big headache in a few years of image: https://blog.surdry.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/enlace-home-3.jpg --- [![Header Logo](https://blog.surdry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Surdry_August_2023/images/surdry-logo-600.png?width=200&height=850&name=surdry-logo-600.png "Header Logo")](https://surdry.com/) [surdry@surdry.com](mailto:%20surdry@surdry.com) [sna@surdry.com](mailto:%20sna@surdry.com) - [![United Kingdom](https://blog.surdry.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Surdry_August_2023/images/english_language_icon.png)](https://surdry.com/) - [![Spanish](https://blog.surdry.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Surdry_August_2023/images/germany_language_icon.png)](https://surdry.com/es/home-es/) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/surdryautoclaves) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Surdry-food-sterilizers) - Solutions - [Continuous Sterilizer](https://surdry.com/continuous-sterilizer/) - [Batch Retorts](https://surdry.com/batch-retorts/) - [Pilot Retorts](https://surdry.com/pilot-retorts/) - [SteriNet 21](https://surdry.com/sterinet-21/) - [Handling Automation](https://surdry.com/handling-automation/) - [Energy recovery](https://surdry.com/energy-recovery/) - [Services](https://surdry.com/services/) - [About us](https://surdry.com/about-us/) - [News](https://blog.surdry.com/) - [Contact](https://surdry.com/contact/) [![Header Logo](https://blog.surdry.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Surdry_August_2023/images/surdry-logo-600.png?width=600&height=850&name=surdry-logo-600.png "Header Logo")](https://surdry.com/) [Surdry North America](https://surdry.com/surdry-north-america) - Solutions - [Continuous Sterilizer](https://surdry.com/continuous-sterilizer/) - [Batch Retorts](https://surdry.com/batch-retorts/) - [Pilot Retorts](https://surdry.com/pilot-retorts/) - [SteriNet 21](https://surdry.com/sterinet-21/) - [Handling Automation](https://surdry.com/handling-automation/) - [Energy recovery](https://surdry.com/energy-recovery/) - [Services](https://surdry.com/services/) - [About us](https://surdry.com/about-us/) - [News](https://blog.surdry.com/) - [Contact](https://surdry.com/contact/) July 31, 2020 # Retort maintenance: key to a successful operation Retort itself is one of the most reliable equipment within food industry with usual low to nil maintenance costs. However, a lack of preventive maintenance could lead to big headache in a few years of operation. Take a look at our recommended guidelines for carrying out a successful **retort maintenance**. ![retort maintenance](https://blog.surdry.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/enlace-home-3.jpg) ***Retort preventive maintenance** is a must within the production line* #### Retort maintenaince guidelines Final user should prepare a preventive maintenance schedule based on the company history and findings with their own retorts. However, the following schedule couls be used as initial guidelines while earning operation know-how: | **Part** | **Actions** | **Frequency** | | --- | --- | --- | | Temperature sensors | Check all temperature measurements against the master thermometer and report to quality control any deviation +/- 0.5ºC | Daily | | Master Thermometer | Send to a higher standard laboratory for calibration and certification | Yearly | | Pressure sensors | Check all pressure measurements against the master gauge and report to quality control any deviation +/- 100 mbar | Weekly | | Door | Inspect door, flanges surface, door lock and safety latch performance | Weekly | | Heat exchanger by-pass valve | Check adjustment and reset if necessary | Monthly | | Chain position switches | Check chain positioning and adjust the switches and reset the chain if necessary | Monthly | | Conveyor chain | Check condition and tighten if necessary | Monthly | | Packing | Make sure there is not any leakage | Monthly | | Conveyor chain motor and transmission | Lubricate the surface with KLUBERSYNTH GH6-32 | Weekly | | Spray nozzles | Check and replace | As necessary | | Chain dog | Check condition and position | Weekly | | Roller track | Check rollers and replace as necessary | Yearly | | Door gasket | Replace in case of any small tear or wear | As necessary | | Recycle Pump | Change the seal if it leaks | As necessary | | Emergency stops | Check operation | Yearly | | Safety valves | Check the safety valves | Yearly | | Retort | Hydraulic test | Every 3 years or as required by law (\*) | *(\*) Typical regulations require hydraulic tests of the vessel every 3-5 years. Before testing the vessel, remove all components that may not resist the test pressure.* #### Retort cleaning recommendations | **Part** | **Frequency** | | --- | --- | | Door gasket cleaning and lubrication | Daily | | Pump suction screen | Daily | | Recirculation filter | Weekly | | Water level controller | Monthly | | Spray nozzles | Every six months | | Spray pipes | Yearly | | Heat Exchanger | Yearly | Silicon oil is recommended to clean door gaskets for easy door lock opening and closing. Cleaning detergents must be low acid (pH>6). In case you would like a detailed assesment and assistance on your retorts maintencance please [**contact us**](https://surdry.com/contacto-2/). 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