Your Machine is only as Good as when the care you give it 

There is a reason Sunshine Industries machines run in some of the demanding kitchens in India. Military canteens, hospital cafeterias, five-star hotel banquets, university mess halls and temple langars serving tens of thousands of meals every single day. 

These machines are built to last. They are made from food-grade steel. 

They are engineered for continuous volume operation. 

Even the best machine in the world delivers its best performance only when it is properly maintained. 

A Sunshine chapati making machine that is cleaned, serviced and operated correctly has a functional life of 8 to 12 years. 

That is over a decade of reliable high-volume roti production. Thousands of chapatis a day. 

That represents value for any commercial kitchen. 

That value is only fully realised with the right maintenance habits. 

A machine that is ignored between services cleaned poorly. Operated with incorrect dough consistency will not deliver that lifespan. 

It will not deliver the quality your kitchen and your customers depend on. 

This guide covers everything your kitchen team needs to know: 

• cleaning 

• weekly checks 

• monthly servicing 

• operator best practices 

• troubleshooting common issues 

 

Why is maintenance not Optional? It is Operational 

Before we get into the practical steps, it helps to understand why maintenance matters so directly to your kitchen performance. 

Quality consistency depends on the machine. 

Dough residue that builds on pressing plates, conveyor belts or heating elements changes how you cook. 

The single common cause of quality drift in high-performing Sunshine machines is inadequate daily cleaning. 

Food safety compliance requires it. 

Commercial kitchens. Those serving hospitals, schools, corporate canteens and food delivery operations. Are increasingly subject to FSSAI inspections and food safety audits. 

A machine with accumulated dough residue, flour build-up in hard-to-reach areas, or any surface contamination is a compliance of liability. 

Downtime is expensive. 

A Sunshine machine producing 1,000 rotis per hour that goes down during lunch service does not just create a kitchen problem. It creates a service problem for hundreds of covers waiting on food. 

Regular maintenance prevents the majority of mechanical failures. 

Your machine is an investment. 

A commercial Sunshine automatic chapati making machine represents an investment of ₹1,00,000 to ₹3,50,000 or more. 

Proper maintenance is how you protect that investment and ensure it delivers returns across its operational lifespan. 

 

Daily Maintenance: The Habits That Matter 

Daily maintenance is the foundation of everything else. 

If your kitchen team builds these habits, the machine will always take care of itself. 

 

Step 1: Switch Off. Allow to Cool Before Cleaning 

This sounds obvious. Is the most frequently skipped step in busy kitchens? 

Cleaning a machine that’s still hot risks burn to kitchen staff. 

Allow the machine to cool for 15 to 20 minutes after the service begins with the cleaning routine. 

Switch off the power and where the gas is supplied. 

Never clean any part of the machine while it is still connected to power. 

 

Step 2: Disassemble the Removable Contact Parts 

Sunshine machines are designed with disassembly in mind. 

Remove all components that come into direct contact with dough or finished chapatis. 

These parts should be disassembled at the end of every service. 

 

Step 3: Wash Contact Parts with Food-Grade Detergent 

Wash all disassembled contact parts with water and mild food-grade detergent. 

Use a brush for any dough residue in grooves, edges or textured surfaces. 

Never use steel wool, abrasive pads or harsh chemical cleaners. 

 

Step 4: Sanitise 

After washing sanitise contact surfaces with a food- sanitiser approved for use on food contact surfaces. 

This step is often skipped in kitchens. And it is the step that makes the biggest difference to food safety compliance. 

 

Step 5: Wipe Down the Exterior Body 

While contact parts are drying, wipe down the exterior of the machine with a clean damp cloth. 

Pay attention to areas where flour dust collects. 

 

Step 6: Reassemble Dry 

Ensure all contact parts are completely dry before reassembling. 

Store the reassembled machine covered with a cloth or cover in a dry area overnight. 

Daily Cleaning Checklist 

• The machine switched off. Cooled before cleaning 

• All contact parts disassembled 

• Parts washed with food-grade detergent. Rinsed thoroughly 

• Parts sanitized with food- sanitiser 

• Exterior wiped down with cloth 

• All parts dried completely before reassembly 

• Machine covered and stored in area 

 

Weekly Maintenance: Going a Layer Deeper 

Weekly maintenance addresses the areas that daily cleaning reaches partially. The internal components, mechanical systems, and less accessible surfaces. 

Internal Component Inspection 

Once a week, after thorough daily cleaning is complete, take time to inspect the areas of the machine. 

Look for: 

• Flour and dough accumulation 

• Signs of wear on the conveyor belt 

• Pressing plate alignment 

• Heating element surfaces 

Mechanical Fastener Check 

The vibration of commercial operation gradually loosens bolts, screws, and mechanical fasteners. 

A weekly check with the tools to ensure all accessible fasteners are properly tightened takes five minutes. 

Lubrication Check 

Sunshine machines have lubrication requirements for their mechanical moving parts. 

Refer to your machine’s manual for the correct lubricant type and application points. 

Electrical and Gas Connection Visual Check 

Once a week, visually inspect the power cable for any signs of damage. 

Check the plug and socket connection for any signs of heat damage or loose fit. 

For gas-powered models visually inspect the gas connection and hose for any signs of wear or damage. 

Monthly Maintenance: The Full-Service Review 

Monthly maintenance is a comprehensive review of the machines’ overall condition. Beyond what daily and weekly routines address. 

 

Deep Clean of All Accessible Internal Areas 

The entire routine should take 20 to 30 minutes for a trained operator. It is the most important maintenance activity your kitchen team performs. 

Sunshine Industries machines are built to last. 

• They are made from food-grade steel and engineered for high-volume continuous operation. 

• The machine will always take care of itself if your kitchen team builds these habits. 

• The daily cleaning checklist should be followed every day. 

• The weekly maintenance should be done once a week. 

• The monthly maintenance should be done once a month. 

• The machine needs to be cleaned and serviced regularly to ensure it delivers quality. 

• The kitchen team needs to follow the guidelines to ensure the machine lasts for 8 to 12 years. 

• The machine is an investment and needs to be protected. 

• The maintenance habits are crucial to ensure the machine delivers returns across its operational lifespan. 

Monthly deep cleaning is important for your machine. It helps to clean areas that’re not part of your daily or weekly cleaning routine. 

• Use the tools and follow your machine’s instructions to take it apart. 

• Clean the inside of the heating chamber, conveyor parts, and channels thoroughly. 

This deep cleaning prevents the build-up of flour dough residue and grease in areas that daily cleaning can’t reach. If you don’t do this, it can become a hygiene and performance problem. 

Conveyor Belt Tension and Tracking 

For Triple Conveyor and Sunshine models, check the conveyor belt tension and tracking every month. 

A belt that is too tight can strain the motor and drive parts. 

A belt that is too loose can cause chapati transport and cooking. 

• Check if the belt runs evenly on the rollers. 

• Refer to your machine manual for tension and adjustment. 

Heating Performance Check 

Every month, check if your machine’s heating is working properly. 

You can do this by noting the time it takes to warm up from start to operating temperature. 

Compare it to the machines specified in time. 

• If the warm-up time changes significantly, it may indicate a problem with the heating element. 

If your rotis are unevenly cooked, check the heating element performance. 

 

Professional Servicing: Every 6 Months 

In addition to weekly and monthly maintenance, Sunshine Industries recommends a professional service visit every six months. 

A Sunshine-trained technician will: 

• Inspect mechanical and electrical components 

• Calibrate the pressing mechanism and heating systems 

• Replace worn components 

• Clean hard-to-reach areas 

• Verify safety systems 

Sunshine Industries has a dedicated service network across India. 

Contact their after-sales team to schedule a service. 

 

Dough: The Variable Kitchens Underestimate 

The quality and consistency of dough affect machine performance and lifespan. 

Dough that is too dry or too wet can cause problems. 

Dough with particles can damage pressing surfaces. 

The right dough for a Sunshine machine is: 

• pliable 

• Adequately rested 

• Consistent in portion size 

• Free from flour lumps or hard particles 

Many kitchens experience dough consistency problems, not issues. 

 

Troubleshooting: The 5 Most Common Issues and Their Causes 

• Uneven thickness: Check pressing plate alignment and dough ball sizing. 

• Rotis sticking to plates: Check dough consistency and daily cleaning. 

• Machine: Check for loose fasteners, lubrication, 

•  or worn components. 

• Uneven cooking: Check heating element surfaces and calibration. 

• Machine not reaching temperature: Check gas supply pressure or heating element degradation. 

Building a Maintenance Culture in Your Kitchen 

To build a maintenance culture: 

• Make one person accountable 

• Train staff 

• Post a checklist 

• Reward maintenance practice 

 

Years of Performance from One Good Habit at a Time 

A Sunshine machine can last 10 to 12 years with maintenance. 

Neglecting maintenance can lead to problems within a year. 

The maintenance habits in this guide are simple. Take minimal time. 

They can give you years of chapati production. 

Need a Sunshine machine serviced or replaced? 

📞 +91-9818172990 

🌐 sunshineindustries.co.in