A stainless steel mixing tank is a vessel used to mix several ingredients together. Mixing buckets can be made from plastic, glass or hard rubber to different types of steel. Stainless steel is often used to create mixing tanks due to its ease of cleaning and the smooth surface of the product. Copper is sometimes used in the manufacture of stirred tanks. However, since copper tends to react adversely with certain chemicals, it should only be used in moderation.
In most manufacturing plants, mixing tanks are commonly used to prepare materials to be used in production. Place large containers of raw materials into a large mixing tank and mix into a smooth mixture that can be used to produce large quantities of material. In a bakery setting, a mixing tank might contain flour, yeast, and water, all taken in specific quantities from a smaller bin and put into a larger tank for mixing.
The design and construction of the stainless steel mixing tank and its shaft assembly passing through the seal shall be smooth, and the surfaces shall meet hygienic design standards applicable to product contact areas. The agitator shaft assembly should be easily accessible for surface cleaning by spraying, directional flow, immersion, or spot cleaning.
The stainless steel mixing tank contacts should be designed to minimize gaps, voids and dead spots in the trenches. Voids should be closed by welding or an approved sealing technique (O-rings, seals, etc.) so that the surfaces are flush and there are no cracks at the metal-to-metal contact points. Metal-to-metal joints (eg, keyways, hub-to-shaft joints, hub-to-end cap joints, etc.) may allow the ingress and accumulation of product and/or microorganisms.
