Steam stripping is a process that uses pressurised steam to clean, disinfect, and deodorise food production machinery and pipework. Jets of high-temperature steam are directed at surfaces, where the heat kills microorganisms and the force of the jet lifts grease, protein films, and residues without the need for harsh chemicals. It is widely used in dairies, breweries, and ready-meal plants as part of cleaning-in-place routines. The same term is also used in edible oil refining, where live steam is blown through hot oil under vacuum to strip away volatile compounds responsible for off-flavours and odours — a key step in producing neutral-tasting refined oils. In both uses the principle is the same: steam carries unwanted substances away.