What is the recommended water temperature for using quats as a chemical sanitizer?

The recommended water temperature for using quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) as a chemical sanitizer is 75ºF. At this temperature, quats demonstrate optimal effectiveness, ensuring that they can properly sanitize surfaces by reducing the number of harmful microorganisms.

Using the sanitizer at the correct temperature is crucial because lower temperatures may hinder its ability to effectively kill bacteria and other pathogens, while significantly higher temperatures could destabilize the chemical formula, reducing its sanitizing properties. Therefore, adhering to the recommended temperature helps maintain the efficacy of quats in a food service environment, promoting food safety and hygiene.