A Guide To Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance

Floral displays, product cases, coolers, walk-in coolers, and other commercial refrigeration units are essential for many businesses. Unfortunately, with the different responsibilities involved in operating a business, maintaining commercial refrigerators isn’t always a top priority for many unknowing entrepreneurs. For this reason, it may result in issues, causing disruption and revenue loss to your business.

If you don’t want that to happen, you must consider regular commercial fridge maintenance. With a well-maintained commercial refrigerator, you can be sure your business won’t experience disruptions and will keep your customers satisfied.

Luckily, commercial refrigeration maintenance is expensive and easy to do. You may even consider a do-it-yourself approach, but hiring professionals is always recommended. Learn more about maintaining commercial refrigerators by reading the guide below.

1. Schedule A Routine Unit Check

Whether you’re just starting your restaurant or want to maintain your reputation to ensure business growth and success, you should keep your commercial refrigeration units in good working condition. To achieve that, contact the best commercial refrigeration maintenance service providers to conduct a regular inspection.

Professionals can check your unit thoroughly to know the status of every part or if there are early signs of potential issues. They can also perform necessary repairs and minor tune-ups that can help prevent expensive and extensive fixes over time.

2. Clean Your Unit’s Exterior And Interior Parts Regularly

One of the things you should do to keep your commercial refrigeration equipment in tip-top shape is to clean its interior and exterior parts regularly. Before you do this, remove all items from your unit and place them in a temporary cooler or another unit.

You can use a soft brush to scrub the surface and shelves with a vinegar solution or water and soap. If the drawers and shelves are removable, soak them in the water with soap and rinse them carefully.

Your unit’s exterior parts must also be cleaned often. Nonetheless, if your unit has a stainless steel exterior, it’s essential to use the right cleaning materials and solutions. Don’t use abrasive sponges or scrubbers and chlorine cleaners. Instead, consider using a soft brush or washcloth to clean your unit’s surface.

Using detergent-based solution and water is ideal for regular cleaning. If you want to stick with natural cleaning solutions, you can mix water with vinegar. And you should consider using a suitable stainless steel degreaser or a baking soda paste if you wish to remove baked-on or greased food.

3. Check Every Part For Wear And Tear

Take time to check every part of your commercial refrigeration unit for wear and tear. Do this at least twice a year. The parts you can check may include the following:

• Drain lines;
• Automatic door closers;
• Refrigeration levels;
• Fan motor;
• Ice maker;
• Electrical connections; and so on. 

Generally, it’s wise to let refrigerator repair professionals handle the inspection for wear and tear. While you think it’s easy, you may not know what to look for. On the contrary, professionals can get the work done faster and identify possible problems that may cause inconvenience later on.

4. Inspect The Door Gaskets

Another essential part of commercial refrigeration maintenance is cleaning the door gaskets. You must clean them at least once a month to avoid damage. Unfortunately, in commercial kitchens where grease is often used, cleaning door gaskets should be done more regularly to extend their lifespan.

If you find a split or crack in the door gaskets, you won’t be able to keep the cool air inside, which may cause issues with your unit’s performance. Moreover, a cracked or broken door gasket may affect proper food preservation, which can cause an illness if it’s not stored properly before consumption.

When replacing door gaskets, follow the manufacturer’s recommended instructions. It can save you on possible expenses associated with the over-performing unit.

5. Clean The Drain Tubes And Pans

A big commercial freezer or refrigerator may mean dealing with a massive amount of slime and sludge too, which often causes the unit to stop working or freeze up. Ensure to check the drain pan or tubing that may experience frequent buildup. If the drain pan overflows with sludge, it can cause a foul odor. To avoid this, clean the drain pan regularly using soap and warm water or a vinegar solution.

Further, excess grime may cause the drain tubes to clog. So, check your unit’s tubing often to prevent blockage. When there’s a clog in the drainage hose, an overflow from the unit’s defrost system may happen, causing leaks to the floor. If you notice water or calcium spots on the exterior part of your hose, clean them immediately with water and soap to prevent wear.

6. Inspect The Air Filters

Grease and dirt particles from the fryers may get trapped in your unit’s air filters. If you let such materials build up, your unit may have ventilation problems. To prevent this, inspect and clean your air filters to eliminate dust and debris.

You may use a powerful vacuum to remove the dirt. A degreasing solution may also be handy to eliminate grease from the air filters. Yet to effectively remove the grease from the filters, don’t forget to read the unit’s user manual for step-by-step instructions.

Conclusion

No business can afford disruptions in daily operations. To keep your commercial refrigerators running properly, follow the guide above, and you’ll never waste time worrying about unit breakdowns again. For proper repair and maintenance of commercial refrigeration units, consult professionals to ensure they get the necessary care.