Although there are many benefits to purchasing a new kettle, buyers may want to consider purchasing used equipment from a reputable food processing equipment reseller.
In addition to the basic choices you need when looking for a kettle or tank, such as shape (dish or hemispherical bottom), capacity, and agitator type, other factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase a particular used jug include:
1) Use dictionary: Determining what ingredients have been disposed of in the used kettle you are considering is an important risk, safety, and liability issue. For example, kettles previously used to mix or process hazardous reactive chemicals or pharmaceuticals may present too high a risk for use in food processing due to the potential for cross-contamination from trace chemical components remaining in bushing spaces and other areas. can. The original manufacturer of a used kettle may be able to provide general information about the first buyer's industry, but this information may not be available to subsequent owners of that kettle. So unless you can establish a clear chain of ownership for the used kettle you are considering, you can never be sure of its previous usage history.
2) Safety and potential liability issues due to wear, defects or unauthorized repairs: Processing kettles with steam and water jackets are classified as “non-extinguishing pressure vessels” under Section VIII of the ASME Code. Any repairs or modifications to the device must follow ASME code guidelines and be documented. Kettle repairs may only be performed by a Nationally Certified ASME Boiler Technician and all repairs must be inspected by a Nationally Certified ASME Boiler Inspector and receive the “R Stamp”.
Therefore, as with the prior use above, it is very important to have a documented record of all inspections and certified repairs to the kettle you are considering. You should absolutely avoid kettles that have had undocumented and uncertified repairs as they pose serious safety and liability risks.
3) Your custom requirements: Because most kettles on the used market are custom-built for their original owners, the specific features and operating characteristics of the used kettle you are considering may or may not meet production and safety requirements. The cost of major modifications such as rebuilding the agitator drive, replacing worn parts, adding larger discharge ports, and general modifications to properly meet your process will make the total cost and time of purchasing a used kettle the same as the cost of general modifications. can. A new kettle custom designed to fit your needs.
4) New services and parts for preventive maintenance: Most used equipment dealers are not responsible for performing maintenance on the kettles in their inventory. It is therefore essential to carry out this preventive maintenance before putting your kettle into operation to avoid costly downtime when it is on production floor.
5) Warranty: While new kettles typically come with a performance warranty (Lee, for example, offers a two-year limited warranty), used kettles are often sold without warranty or on an “as is, where is” basis. In some cases, dealer reconditioned kettles may be sold with warranties that are not supported for a limited time. Typically the best you can expect for a used kettle is a short warranty, so thorough inspection and preventative maintenance are essential to minimize production downtime.
Are used kettles the right choice for your business?
As you can see, there are several important factors that influence your decision to buy a used kettle other than the purchase price. This includes the kettle's previous use, history of repairs or modifications, and the cost of preventative maintenance services and parts to ensure trouble-free operation. Each of these issues must be carefully examined to determine the true cost of owning a used kettle and to ensure reliable, long-term operation of used kettles used in food processing operations.
Learn more about choosing new and used kettles for your food processing operation. Downloading guide: New or used kettle: How to choose the right one for food processing work or contact I am an application engineer at Lee Industries. We are happy to help.
