How do you run a hot recirculation wash?

Chapters

Handbook

How do you run a hot recirculation wash?

1 Why does milk quality matter to your payout? 2 Why do bacteria grow in your milking plant? 3 What is the difference between acid and alkali dairy detergents? 4 What makes a dairy plant wash actually work? 5 How do you build a dairy plant wash routine? 6 Which milking habits cause milk quality problems? 7 How cold does milk need to be in the vat? 8 How do you clean a milk vat properly? 9 How do you find out what caused a milk grade? 10 What do coliform, thermoduric and bactoscan grades mean? 11 How do you deep clean after manure contamination? 12 How do you spot clean a dairy plant? 13 How do you do a full dairy plant inspection? 14 How do you fully clean a milk line? 15 How do you run a hot recirculation wash? 16 How do you bomb wash a milking plant?

A proper hot wash keeps fat and protein from sticking around long enough to cause trouble. It’s your first line of defence against milk grades, but only if you’re getting it hot enough and long enough. Lukewarm doesn’t cut it, and rushing the job is asking for a grade.

What do you need for a hot wash?

Agmax Alkali
Agmax Acid
Hot water, starting at 85°C
Thermometer
Timer or clock
Gloves and safety gear

How do you run a hot wash, step by step?

1. Flush with cold compliant fresh water

Rinse out milk residue before you start.
This helps your detergent work properly instead of wasting time on leftovers.

2. Prepare your wash solution

Mix Agmax Alkali OR Agmax Acid with hot water as per label instructions.
Water must start at 85°C in the wash drum or hot water cylinder.
Double check the concentration and temperature, no guesswork.

3. Recirculate the hot wash through the plant

Recirculate for 8 minutes.
Include all clusters, milk lines, receivers, and jetters.
Watch for temperature drop. If it falls below 55°C before the wash finishes, reheat and repeat the hot wash.
If your plant holds a large volume or has long runs, monitor closely to keep it hot from start to finish.

4. Drain and inspect

Once done, drain the system and check your lines and clusters.
They should look clean and feel smooth, not greasy or slippery.

5. Rinse with cold compliant fresh water

If you have done either a hot alkali or hot acid recirculation you need to do a final cold compliant freshwater rinse to remove residual chemical.
If you’re sanitising, skip this and go straight to the sanitiser step.