To properly monitor the strength of a chemical sanitizing solution, a food service manager should:

Using test strips to measure proper PPM (parts per million) is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of a chemical sanitizing solution. These test strips are specifically designed to determine the concentration of the sanitizing agent, which is crucial for food safety. Proper PPM levels indicate that the solution is strong enough to kill harmful pathogens without risking any food contamination due to overly concentrated solutions. Monitoring PPM helps maintain the efficacy of the sanitizing solution, ensuring that food contact surfaces are effectively sanitized, thus reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

In contrast, measuring the temperature of the solution is less impactful in assessing the effectiveness of a chemical sanitizer, as chemical solutions can work effectively over a wider range of temperatures. Observing the color of the solution may provide some insights into its concentration, but it is not a reliable or precise method compared to PPM testing. Checking the cleanliness of the plates being sanitized is important for general sanitation practices, but it does not directly measure the strength of the chemical sanitizing solution itself. Overall, test strips offer the most accurate and direct method for monitoring the strength of a sanitizing solution.