Food Grade Pumps
There are pumps for many different types of applications. Some of the applications require pumps made a specific way, with specific materials. Food grade pumps come in many different configurations depending on the specific application. While they may look different, they all share common elements.
What is a “food grade pump” used for?
Applications range from large pumps to transfer water at fire camps to smaller pumps used for appliances in commercial kitchens. Food grade pumps are also used in manufacturing, pumping a range of fluids in the production process. From the range of applications, it is apparent that food-grade pumps can come in many different configurations and look nothing alike.
What makes a pump “food grade”?
Food grade pumps are configured and made from materials that maintain sanitary conditions. These configurations follow NSF standards for pumps.Some of the metals found in the food-grade pumps include cast iron, stainless steel, and nickel-aluminum bronze.
The seals and gaskets used must also meet standards to protect against corrosion from things ranging between Chlorine and chloramine used in municipal water treatments through more highly acidic food fluids.
Materials used in pumps such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based plastics, that the NSF requires to be tested by toxicologists, also meet strict requirements.
