Job Description:

• 1) Tends steep tanks to soften corn and other grains preparatory to grinding: Opens hatch and chute gate leading to steep tank, and signals GRAIN RECEIVER to load tank with grain.

• 2) Turns valves and starts pumps to fill tank with steep-water to specified level.

• 3) Observes thermometers and opens steam valves to heat tank to specified temperature.

• 4) Tests specific gravity of water in tanks, using hydrometer, to determine when steeping process is complete.

• 5) Records data, such as number of batches and bushels steeped, length of steeping cycle, and temperature and specific gravity of each batch.

• 6) May prepare grinding schedules to facilitate production.

• 7) May operate sulfur burner to regulate sulfuric acid concentration in steep water, millhouse, and starch wash water.

• 8) May work as member of team and be designated according to position as Bottom Steep Tender; Top Steep Tender.