Have a difference of option at work. We've been running a lot of bone-in ads (short loins, pork loins, chucks) and I want to change the blade at least every two weeks. (we're a 50-70,000 a week shop). My manager says I need to get more life out of it. What is your policy?
Every 2 weeks isn't gonna break the bank! we change them when they start to grab or seem dull. DULL BLADE IS NOT GOOD ON THE MEAT causes excess bone dust and heat which hurts appearance and shelf life. NOT ONLY PISSES OFF A CUTTER CUTTING 10 BX OF ASSORTED CHOPS FOR AN AD!!!lol
change it when it needs to be changed. doesn't matter how long you used it. How someone can put an exact life on a blade is beyond me. If the blade doesn't seem to be cutting threw as smooth as it should be. if its pulling, or if its scorching the meat because it got so hot working through the bone because its dull I would recommend changing it. Any thing else would just be a risk to safety and merchandise appeal. Putting a life on the blade is about the same as telling someone how often they can sharpen their knife.
I lightly run my finger along and against the teeth, and if the blade doesen't feel "needle-y" I change it. While I am at it I take apart all the guides and little parts that usually don't get cleaned by the rookie clean-up guy and take a scouring pad to those as well. And why the hell doesen't somebody from maintenance come and give the grease fittings a couple shots every once in a while?! I broke a short loin pounding on the top of the darn thing trying to get the blade loose!
I agree with fdarn and the rest. When its dull change it out. Keeping a dull blade in there just to save a few pennies is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard of! And remember this, I am a market owner and squeeze my nickles so hard the buffalo craps, but when it comes to sharp tools, well its a no brainer.
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I'm not a vegetarian, but have eaten many animals that were.
Thanks for the support. Yes, I work for a REALLY cheap company. You should see the plastic raincoats they got us wearing because the Laundry bills on coats were too high!!! Of course, going through bankruptcy didn't help...
We got 99 cent whole pork loins on sale this week. I just might go crazy and change it Twice!!!!
In general, with less bone in primals in use today the old rules are probably no longer valid.
With experience you should recognize when a blade needs changing, other than that I believe weekly is a good rule of thumb, again, this depends on how much bone in cutting you do. Dull blades cause excess heat and more bone dust, what you think gain by trying to use a blade too long is lost in shrink and case life, due to heat.
