For businesses in the food and beverage industry, your commercial refrigerator is a key equipment and it is important that they are maintained property to ensure the perfect cooling of your drinks and ingredients. In addition to having your commercial refrigerator serviced by a professional routinely, here are some addition maintenance tips for your refrigeration units.
1. Clean your commercial refrigerator regularly
It is recommended that you thoroughly clean your entire unit on a weekly or biweekly basis. Relocate all the items to a different unit or cooler so that you have access to the entire interior. Use warm water and soap or a vinegar solution with a soft brush to scrub the shelves and inner surfaces. You can also remove the shelves and soak them for a while before cleaning. Ensure that you dry the interior and shelves before placing them back into the unit.
Do not forget to clean the exterior of your unit as well. For stainless steel units, use proper cleaning solutions and avoid abrasive scrubbers and chlorine solutions. Instead, use a soft brush or a wash cloth to clean the exterior surface. If there is grease or food substances on your unit, use a baking soda paste or a stainless steel degreaser to remove them. Regular cleaning of the exterior with warm water and detergent-based solution is best for routine cleaning of the exterior.
2. Check and clean the condenser and evaporator coil
It is recommended by most manufacturers that the condenser and evaporator coils on your commercial refrigerator should be cleaned once every three months. Check your unit’s manual for specific cleaning tips. A dirty condenser coil can result in higher temperatures causing the components in the unit to fail.
Before cleaning, remember to unplug the unit from the power point. Clear the dirt and dust on the coils using a brush or strong vacuum. You can also use an air compressor if you have access to one. If your unit is located in a kitchen near cooking equipment like griddles and fryers, you may need to degrease the coils. Check your unit’s manual for specific degreasing instructions and tips.
Ensure that the area around the evaporator coil is clear and clean as the evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing the heat from the warm air that passes through the commercial refrigerator unit. You should also refrain from over-stuffing the interior of your refrigerator as it would reduce the airflow and block the vents causing a rise in temperature in the unit and the freezing of the evaporator coils that would lead to leakage of water.
Routine cleaning of the condenser and evaporator coils will ensure that your unit is performing optimally and efficiently saving you time, energy and money.
3. Check the refrigerator door gaskets
The unit’s gaskets are essential as any damage to them (like a split or crack) would result in the fridge’s door not sealing shut causing cool air leakage. If a gasket is broken, it is crucial that it is replaced with one that is recommended by the manufacturer. If the gaskets are not damaged, you should routinely clean them to prevent any damage. The build up of grease and dirt can wear out the commercial refrigerator’s gaskets over time.
4. Regularly clean drain pans and tubes
Commercial refrigerators or freezers can attract large amounts of sludge and slime. This can cause your unit to freeze up, so check your drain pan and tubing that could experience buildup. An overflowing drain pan can produce a pungent odour throughout your kitchen. It is recommended that you clean the pan once a month with warm water and soap or with a vinegar solution.
Check the drainage tubes every couple of months to prevent blockage. A clogged tube can result in an overflow in the unit’s defrosting system that would leak onto the floor. Clean the tubes with soap and water to prevent any future wear and tear.
5. Check the commercial refrigerator air filters
If your unit is located in a kitchen with cooking equipment, there could be a buildup of grease and dust on your unit’s air filters. This would prevent the refrigerator from ventilating properly and potentially cause damage to other components of the unit. Hence it is important to clean the air filters regularly by removing the dust with a brush or vacuum and using a degreasing solution to get rid of any grease buildup. Check your unit’s manual for specific instructions and tips on degreasing the air filter.
If you notice any damage to the filter, it should be replaced immediately.
If the above solutions do not work for you, it’s time to give our team at Perth Commercial Fridges a call. We will be happy to help you our with all of your refrigeration needs and if your unit can’t be repaired, we have a huge range of products to suit all needs. As a bonus, all our products that you purchase from us come with our 12/24 Warranty where there is a 12 months parts & labour warranty and 24 months warranty on the compressor. Still not convinced on a purchase? We also provide Rent to Buy* and Rent-Try-Buy* options on our products where all warranty issues and repairs are covered regardless of the age of the machine.
*conditions apply
