Timely Refrigerator maintenance can increase the lifespan of your unit… read more to see, how?

Whether you own a cafe, restaurant, grocery store, or bar – you cannot afford the downtime of your refrigeration units. Obviously, it is the lifeline of your business… refrigerators are among a few appliances that run day and night without stopping. It plays an indispensable role in food preservation and reduces loss by maintaining a required temperature. To be precise, it’s paramount for the food service industry.

Sounds good???

But to work well, refrigerators need timely maintenance services… Be it a freezer or a walk-in cooler refrigeration repair issues may occur. Hence, spending a few minutes after every few days to perform maintenance will surely help the refrigerator run more efficiently. It will also save you money on unexpected breakdowns and service costs.

Bear in mind, during the odd times, you may not find help… here, regular maintenance can save you from trouble. You must be wondering how to maintain a refrigerator. don’t worry, we have put together an exhaustive list of tips you need to know.

 Let’s dig in deep and explore the refrigerator maintenance hacks….

Steps to Follow for Refrigerator Maintenance

1.      Get Regular Service

This trick actually works… preventive maintenance service from a professional keeps the unit working consistently and competently. Simply put, you won’t have as many emergency repair concerns if you opt for regular service. While inspecting your equipment, service experts can detect failing parts and looming issues before they cause the commercial refrigerator to fail during a busy hour. By opting for professional commercial refrigeration services, you can keep the compressor in good working condition.

2.      Clean the Interior & Exterior

Schedule through cleaning of refrigeration units on a weekly or biweekly basis. Remove the internal items and place them into another unit. Scrub the shelves and surfaces with a soft brush, warm water, soap, or a vinegar solution. Remove drawers and shelving, and soak them in the water before rinsing.

Your unit’s exterior should be cleaned regularly as well. On a stainless steel exterior, it’s critical to utilize the right cleaning solutions and products. Abrasive scrubbers or sponges, as well as chlorine cleaners, should be avoided. Instead, clean the surface with a soft cloth or brush. For routine refrigerator maintenance, a mixture of warm water and vinegar or a detergent-based solution works well.

3.      Check the Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil, like the condenser coil, is an important part of your refrigerator. The evaporator coil is placed near the evaporator fan and is responsible for absorbing heat as warm air goes through the refrigeration system… it helps cool down the interior of the unit.

Hence, you must keep the surrounding area near the coil clean and clear after every two to three days. Avoid cramming too many items into the interior, especially if they’re piping hot. The coil can freeze if the vents inside the device are blocked, resulting in water leaks and a rise in cabinet temperature.

4.      Check the Gaskets

Usually, the refrigeration units stop working due to an issue with the gas kit…

Any commercial refrigeration system would be incomplete without door gaskets. Any form of crack or split in the door might prevent it from sealing properly, causing cool air to escape the interior of the fridge. If a gasket is damaged, make sure you replace it with the help of instructions from the manufacturer. When changing the refrigerator’s gasket as refrigerator maintenance, you must use the gasket that corresponds to your unit’s serial and model number.

Even if there are no splits or cracks, you should clean the gaskets on a regular basis to avoid unexpected issues. If the unit is in a commercial kitchen, this should be done more frequently.

5.      Clean Drain Pans and Tubes

Commercial refrigerators, since they easily attract slime and sludge it causes the refrigeration units to freeze up.

Make sure to inspect your drain pan and any tubing that may be prone to clogging. If your drain is clogged with moisture and sludge, it may emit a foul odor that spreads throughout your kitchen. Use a vinegar solution, warm water, or soap to clean the pan at least once every month.

Clogged drain tubes can also be caused by too much filth. To avoid a major clog, inspect the tubing every couple of months. When your drainage hoses become clogged, it causes an overflow in your defrosts system, which drips onto your floor. To prevent further deterioration, clean the hoses’ exteriors with soap and water.

6.      Do Not Place the Unit Too Close to the Walls

Place the refrigerator away from the walls. Make sure there is at least one inch of space between your refrigerator and the wall, no matter where you place it. This space prevents the fridge from dispensing heat generated during the refrigeration process, allowing the appliance to operate more efficiently.

7.      Set The Correct Temperature

Well, setting the temperature right comes under refrigerator maintenance… Most refrigerators have temperature control, and it is critical to set and maintain the proper temperature for effective cooling. If your refrigerator doesn’t have a proper number-based temperature-setting system, then it might have a scale-based system. In that case, it’s best to keep the scale at its medium or normal setting. For more information and recommended temperature settings, consult the refrigerator’s owner’s manual.

8.      Arrange and Cover Edibles in the Refrigerator 

Always cover the items in your unit and arrange them properly. Try to keep food and other items in plastic containers that has tightly fitted closures. This reduces the moisture inside the fridge and prevents bad odors from migrating throughout the compartment and producing an unpleasant smell. Properly organizing items in the refrigerator will also let you keep and remove the items more quickly, which means you won’t have to leave the door open for a longer period of time.

Conclusion…

You’d agree that refrigeration units are among the most commonly used appliances, and they’re crucial to your business, perfectly cooling all of your beverages and ingredients. That is why it is necessary to perform routine maintenance on your refrigeration unit.

Although, these tips and tricks can help you with the maintenance of your unit but certain issues require assistance from professionals including:

• Issues with electrical connection.
• The evaporator coil is iced up.
• The compressor isn’t functioning, or it’s short cycling.
• No power in the commercial refrigeration unit.
• The unit isn’t cold enough, or there’s no airflow
• A planned maintenance check-up and cleaning for certain components, such as the ice maker.
• The fan motor is not functioning.
• The refrigerant charge has to be inspected.

So, if you are looking for commercial refrigerator maintenance services – Frontline Refrigeration should be your choice. Be it walk-in coolers, freezers, fridges, or any other ice machine, our experts can help.