In industries where purity, product integrity, and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable, sanitary instrumentation plays a critical role. Among these instruments, sanitary gauges are essential tools for monitoring and verifying safe operating conditions.
MCE is a trusted source of high-quality sanitary gauges and instrumentation, supporting customers across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and research environments.
We help manufacturers and research facilities minimize contamination risks and ensure safe and consistent product quality.
Unlike standard industrial gauges, sanitary gauges feature smooth surfaces, crevice-free construction, and materials suitable for use in direct food, drug, or cosmetic contact.
Their purpose? To measure pressure without introducing contamination into sanitary processes.
For these gauges to be effective, they are used with food-grade, edible fill fluids such as food-grade glycerin or safe silicone blends. These fluids dampen vibration and maintain accurate readings even in high-temperature or high-vibration environments. If a diaphragm were to rupture, these edible fluids would not introduce toxic contamination if accidental contact occurred.
The FDA requires all materials used in a food production process to be corrosion-resistant, non-reactive, and durable enough to withstand repeated washing. Sanitary gauges are primarily made from stainless steel because it checks all of those boxes. There are different grades of stainless steel used in various applications (Food Grade 304, Food Grade 316, Food Grade 430).
Hastelloy is another material option for applications that do not perform well with stainless steel.
Another vital component of a sanitary gauge is the sanitary seal or diaphragm mechanism. These seals allow the gauge to be used in systems with clean-in-place (CIP) or sterilize-in-place (SIP) requirements. Also made from stainless steel, the diaphragm and housing components ensure a sanitary, corrosion-resistant, and durable connection to the process.
Sanitary gauges are central to hygienic process control and widely used across industries where contamination could compromise safety or product quality. MCE supports customers in:
These industries not only rely on sanitary gauges for measurement accuracy but also for regulatory compliance and consumer safety.
Selecting the wrong gauge or using a non-sanitary gauge in a hygienic process can lead to serious operational and financial consequences. An incorrect gauge can compromise an entire batch, shut down production, or threaten regulatory compliance.
Compounding this issue, facilities often struggle with high employee turnover, which results in a gradual loss of knowledge about correct gauge selection, installation, and maintenance. Many customers reach out to MCE because:
When food and beverage facilities use standard gauges instead of sanitary gauges, contamination risk spikes. The threaded cavities in standard gauges can trap residue, leading to:
MCE Customer Success
One of our customers, a major beverage plant, needed help overcoming failure from their use of a standard gauge. The gauge failed under pressure and leaked product, halting production and costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Their maintenance team reached out to MCE and provided photos of the gauge assembly. We recommended replacing their existing gauge with the Ashcroft 1032 sanitary gauge, eliminating future leaks and restoring compliance immediately.
In pharmaceutical facilities, any impurity introduced by a non-sanitary fitting can result in the entire batch being rejected. Standard gauges are not designed for clean-in-place (CIP) or sterilize-in-place (SIP) systems, increasing the risk for:
MCE Customer Success
One of our pharmaceutical customers was using a standard pressure gauge that couldn’t withstand repeated sterilization cycles. The outdated, commercial-grade gauge they used was not designed for sterile environments, and as a result, the interior seals degraded, releasing particulates into the process stream.
We recommended switching to the Ashcroft 1032 sanitary gauge to correct the issue and ensure long-term process integrity.
Don’t let a ~$400 part shut down a $40,000 batch.
A failed gauge might cost hundreds to replace, but when it comes to contamination or downtime, the true costs run into the tens of thousands (or more) in lost production, labor, and wasted product.
Using incorrect gauges leads to:
Many customers see substantial savings simply by moving from low-cost commercial gauges to industrial-grade sanitary models designed for hygienic environments. Investing upfront in high-quality sanitary gauges:
For sanitary gauge recommendations, the Ashcroft 1032 Sanitary Pressure Gauge is an MCE favorite. The Ashcroft 1032 sanitary gauge prevents common failures, is designed in accordance with FDA and 3-A sanitary guidelines and has an EHEDG-compliant design.
Ashcroft developed their sanitary gauges to prevent product contamination and facilitate cleaning and sanitizing operations, meeting standards and guidelines such as:
Choosing the correct sanitary gauge is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each facility and application has unique requirements. Failing to consider them can have serious consequences.
MCE’s team of instrumentation experts guides our customers and their supply partners through a series of questions to identify the best solution for their needs. These questions can include:
Let’s Discuss Your Sanitary Pressure Gauge Needs
Industry experience is our strong suit. We not only understand the products we sell, but we also have experience helping facilities like yours overcome real-world challenges occurring inside your plant every day.
Our team of sanitary instrumentation experts has decades of expertise in product knowledge, factory collaboration, training, and responsive customer support. Whether you operate a dairy plant, biotech facility, research facility, or pharmaceutical company, MCE can help ensure your process is safe, compliant, and efficient.