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Anyone- help me throw the dishdog a bone

post #1 of 24
3/2/06 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 
The establishment where I work has banned steel wool. The dishwashers are understandably disgruntled. Does anyone know of a good alternative to steel wool that actually works, but doesn't shed like steel wool or stainless steel scrubbies? Thanks.:eek:
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post #2 of 24
3/2/06 at 9:27am
What was the reason for banning ? Was a piece found in the food ?
http://www.frappr.com/chefsunited
One time a guy pulled a knife on me. I could tell it wasn't a professional job; it had butter on it.- Rodney Dangerfield -


'We're ALL amateurs; It's just that some of us are more professional about it than others'. - George Carlin
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post #3 of 24
3/2/06 at 12:06pm
The hotel that I used to work in did not allow steel wool either, but our distributor had a heavy-duty scrub pad that worked just as well.
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
-Abraham Lincoln-

"The weak ones fall, the strong carry on."
-Tom Petty-
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post #4 of 24
3/2/06 at 12:50pm
There are still places that allow steel wool? The stuff is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

www.azurerestaurant.ca
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post #5 of 24
3/2/06 at 5:32pm
They banned the stuff from where I work about 2 or 3 yers ago. I remeber getting the e-mail from corporate and the next friday I got some pizza from a very fine Italian restaurant near my house (a mid to high end place - not your average pizza joint) and lo and behold, a piece of steel wool in it. A HA! So that's why they banned the stuff!!!

Jock
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post #6 of 24
3/2/06 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
The rumor I heard was that, yes a lady found a piece of steel wool in her soup and is plannning a law suit- but that is only the rumor mill- officially the corporate guys are saying that they are concerned that a piece could get in someone's food, so they are taking preventive measures. Who knows.
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post #7 of 24
3/2/06 at 10:58pm
Those stailess steele scrubbies work great. Steel whool is horible for institutional use. It's the tank person's job to inspect thier own work. If they f'up then they should be held responsible...of course considering that they were trained properly on how to do their job. I don't expect expo to whipe my plates and I wouldn't expect someone else to check for bad dish work if I were running the tank.
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post #8 of 24
3/2/06 at 11:11pm
Thread Starter 
Jolly Roger, I agree with you whole heartedly. If everyone does their job their should be no problem. I also agree that although a royal pain in the posterior the ban is for the best. Your suggestion of stainless scrubbies is good, but for the same reasons it also is a banned item. We have good dishwashers who work hard- I hate to see their job any worse. The dishpit was where I started and many out their can say the same. The dishpit is no fun. Those guys have my full respect for the often thankless unglamorous job they do. I'm hoping to find a product that will help. Thanks for your post.
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post #9 of 24
3/3/06 at 4:30am
there is a blue scrubby out there that is extremely course
and works well, although not as well as the stainless scrubby.
the big problem is that the rivits in the saute pans loosen and
threads of stainless steal gets caught in them. They eventually
end up in the food. I keep extra grill bricks on hand for my stewards.
what they cannot get off with the blue scrubby they can with the
brick. also make sure and use blue bandaids. if you loose a flesh
colored one they are harder to spot. I have seen some dishwashers
bring their own stainless scrubbies to work on thier own. beware!
if you do use them they will end up in the food.
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post #10 of 24
3/3/06 at 4:46am
Once again it's up to me to prove there really is such thing as a stupid question.
What is the specific harm posed by steel wool on which to base a lawsuit? I'm sure the experience would be unpleasant but, even if it wasn't spit out, wouldn't the problem be otherwise harmlessly eliminated? If the professionals see an unacceptable risk I'd prefer to avoid avoid it at home.

I keep scrubber sheets from the hardware store in my toolbox that occasionally get used in the kitchen. This stuff is like what's glued onto the back of scrubber sponges but much more abrasive.
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #11 of 24
3/3/06 at 5:02am
Quite frankly who is to say that person just didn't put the steel wool there to get a free meal? I have never in all my career as a cook/chef heard of this happening and really don't see how it is possibly.
Thanks,

Nicko 
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post #12 of 24
3/3/06 at 5:24am
I have never heard of anyone getting a piece of a steel scrubby in there food in all my years. :chef:
http://www.frappr.com/chefsunited
One time a guy pulled a knife on me. I could tell it wasn't a professional job; it had butter on it.- Rodney Dangerfield -


'We're ALL amateurs; It's just that some of us are more professional about it than others'. - George Carlin
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post #13 of 24
3/3/06 at 6:26am
skilletlicker,
I'm going to have to agree with you on your question. Are you really wondering how, if and why someone would sue?

"What is the specific harm posed by steel wool on which to base a lawsuit? I'm sure the experience would be unpleasant but, even if it wasn't spit out, wouldn't the problem be otherwise harmlessly eliminated?"

My gosh, this happens hundreds of times a day in our industry. The public understands that any legal proceedings cost so much, it's almost a given they will settle before the third communication. They basically hit a small scratch-off lottery ticket if you have good insurance and they have a quasi case. You won't believe the checks cut to get rid of these claims. Although the wool claim sounds a little weak to me, is your insurance going to take the risk of an xray showing up to court with this little bright line in her body. Ouch! you can start adding zeros.
One of my drivers had his foot slip off the brake peddle in the van, reaching for something. He rolled a little and tapped the bumper in the car ahead of him. They settled with the husband to polish his bumper since there was no visible. His wife claimed a back injury, they sent a letter a couple of weeks ago to inform me that she was done with her rehabilitation and they have settled the case. She received Med yadda yadda and received cash in the amount of what my Pastry Chefs makes annually. In fact I might have just breached the settlement by talking about it.
C'mon guys,

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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post #14 of 24
3/3/06 at 8:27am
panini,

Thank you for saying:
I'm honored to be validated by the agreement of someone with your wisdom and experience. Of course, to be clear, the part of my post you agreed with was:

:D
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #15 of 24
3/3/06 at 8:34am
Hey,
If the finger cot fits;)

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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post #16 of 24
3/4/06 at 11:10pm
Thread Starter 
C'mon guys, Why is asking if anyone has an alternative to steel wool or stainless scrubbies that both work and don't shed a stupid question? As far as the whole lawsuit issue, as I stated earlier, it is just from the good ol' rumor mill. Me personally- I believe the corporate guys- it probably is just a well placed precaution. Panini- What's up with the finger cotlet remark- Sir-Pllleazz. Anyway, it has been a long week I am going to bed. :suprise: :blush: Enjoy your day.:smoking:
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post #17 of 24
3/4/06 at 11:25pm
Ol silver and merc fillings in your teeth will do more damage than a shred of the steel wool down the gullet.
If soup was being prepared, than an empty pot at the beginig of the cycle should have been to blame, as well as the person manufacturing the product. I would find it hard to dismiss a piece of steel wool that a guest would succomd to. I LOVE STEEL WOOL, and grille screens, screens break down quicker and MUCH further thus posing a greater threat but I TRUST my employees to know when something is worth using or shitcanning, and I do know if it is within question, the question IS asked.
It is an UNAVOIDABLE fact in the food service world that something, somewhere, will be found in someones meal, sad but true.
If you are doing 5 or 500 covers a night, there is always a chance something will get by the ever watchfull eye, especially if its shrouded by the product itself...better then serving a chicken head or finger tip.
LONG LIVE ABBRASIVE UTILITY CLEANERS! and the dogs who use them.
GOOD CALL ON THE COLORED BAND AID TIP! DONE IT FOR YEARS!
Like all good meals, this too shall pass
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post #18 of 24
3/4/06 at 11:48pm
Thread Starter 
Sounds like the same comments I've heard from my coworkers. I agree with everything you've said.:)
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post #19 of 24
3/4/06 at 11:57pm

All Right!

Finally, someone responded...
Anywho, dude just keep on doin, a restaurant w/out steel wool is like a restaurant that has electric ranges( NOT induction), and that is UNHEARD OF!
Dish dog doesn't need a bone...he needs a break.
People forget a kitchen can only function as well as its dish crew, they provide the "medium" to atain the cullinary goals of the chef, and lets face it, no chef REALLY wants to do thier own dishes,hehehe
Like all good meals, this too shall pass
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post #20 of 24
3/5/06 at 2:12am
ogreplate,
I am truley sorry if I offended you in any way. Fact is, there are no stupid questions here. Your question was certainly not stupid, I thought it was a valid one.
My post was to skilletlicker. It derailed a little but he was asking about the legal side. You're right, I probably should have responded to your question. I sometimes joke around with skillet because we have gotten to know each other on this board. I'm going to assume he knew that by his return ,plus he slapped a smile on the end.We use the avitars a lot.
I'm on the sweet side and we do scrub pots and pans but nothing like I remember in the kitchens, I figured the other chefs would give you a solution. We use the stainless curled pads. I really could not figure out what you were using. Is it real steel wool? I can see that rusting and breaking down fast. We use a generic brand like the chore boy. They are relitively inexpencive as long as they are issued by the piece and not the box.
BTW I may have used the wrong word. I use finger cot as the little protection things for cuts. I would have said latex glove but it is not that uncomon anymore. We are required to wear them for most all food handling. Actually we use a latex free kind.
Panini

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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post #21 of 24
3/5/06 at 11:34am

Apology

Dear ogreplate,

My use of the phrase “stupid question” in any context was a mistake. It was intended as self-deprecating humor and the question referred to was my own. The possibility that anyone might think I meant yours never occurred to me.

Please accept my apologies.
just an old guy learning to live off his own cooking
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post #22 of 24
3/5/06 at 11:52am
skillet.
I forgot to appologise to you also.
pan

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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post #23 of 24
3/6/06 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
Gentlemen, I figured I probably had misunderstood you. Its all good. Don't worry. I'm a chef, and I have thicker skin than to be offended by a couple of misunderstood comments. I figured at worst it was probably just a couple of people having some fun doing a little trash talkin'. Thanks for your responses. Apologies not needed, but appreciated and accepted.
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post #24 of 24
3/6/06 at 9:46am
cool,:cool:

Never! Live To Work!:::::::Work To Live!::Life Is To Short!!
Paninicakes.com

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