Food businesses and factories use commercial refrigerators to store and preserve the foods for a long time. They prevent the spoilage of food items and offer them a long shelf life. However, like any other appliances, commercial refrigerators need regular maintenance for proper working and efficiency.
A little problem in a refrigerator can lead to a reduction of its cooling and efficiency. In case a refrigeration unit stops working, it can lead to spoilage of food items and loss of sales. The result is frustrated and disappointed customers, which mean a significant loss that no business wants.
Therefore, it is essential to maintain your commercial refrigerators to keep them in proper working condition. This post shares some steps to maintain your commercial refrigerators.
Clean the refrigerator
It is essential to clean a fridge internally as well as externally. Cleaning the outer surface is quite easy, using a cleaning solution and a cloth. However, to clean a fridge from inside, you need to take out all the food items and transfer them to another cooling unit for an hour. A person can clean the interior using a cleaning solution, warm water, and a soft brush or cloth.
Clean the condenser coil
Most fridge manufacturers recommend cleaning the condenser coil every three months. If the condenser coil is dirty, it can raise the cabinet temperature and hamper the functioning of other components. The coil is located near the condenser of the unit. You need to switch off the fridge and disconnect the power cable before cleaning the condenser coil.
Use a stiff brush to remove the dirt and then use a vacuum cleaner to clean the remaining dust. If you use your fridge in the kitchen, you might need a degreaser to clean the oils and grease on the coils.
Contaminated ice in freezers
The ice in a freezer gets contaminated, if not used for a long time. The neglected ice in freezing units leads to the development of bacteria and viruses that can make your customers sick. Offering contaminated ice to customers can lead to a health code violation and even lawsuits. Therefore, you must clean your freezing units and remove the contaminated ice regularly. If the freezing unit is large, you can call a professional to remove and clean all the components.
Check the evaporator coil
It is also essential to clean the evaporator coil as it absorbs the heat from the interior of a refrigerator. You need to clean the evaporator coil as well as the area surrounding the coil. Use a stiff bristled brush followed by a vacuum cleaner to clean the evaporator coil.
Air filters
If you have your refrigerator placed in the kitchen or prep area, it is inevitable that it will attract smoke and grease. The air filters of a fridge get clogged with the dust and oil in the kitchen that needs regular cleaning. You can remove the dirt or grease with a vacuum cleaner and use a degreaser to remove the thick grease.
Clean the drain pans
Every refrigerator has drain tubes and containers that allow the water to flow out of the freezers. They can attract a large amount of dirt and sludge over time and need periodic cleaning. It is essential to check the drain pans and tubes that could lead to frequent buildups and freezing. A clog in your drainage pipes can cause an overflow in the defrost system, and it can leak onto your floor. You can also call a professional to clean the drain hoses as they might be difficult to clean yourself.
Cleaning the gaskets
The gaskets are usually fixed on the doors of a refrigerator. They attract dirt and dust with the opening and closing of the door. Moreover, food spills also make them look dirty and need periodic cleaning. The gaskets should be cleaned at least once a month and examined for any cuts or tears. You can wash the gaskets with soap and warm water. In the case of cuts or cracks, the entire gasket should be replaced with a new one.
General maintenance
Every fridge owner should get the refrigeration units examined periodically for any problems and get them fixed at the right time. Periodic inspection of a refrigerator includes checking the working of all components, oiling or motors and bearings, checking the coolant and refrigerant levels.
In case any parts are worn, they need to be replaced immediately for the proper functioning of the unit. A refrigerator should be examined every six months to keep it in proper working condition. You can call professional services like cool room repairs Gold Coast to examine and fix your cooling units.
Final Words
These were some maintenance tips for commercial refrigerators. Once you know about them in details, you can tell your staff to clean and examine your refrigeration units. They can do periodic cleaning and call a professional in case of a problem that needs to be fixed.
Regular cleaning and maintenance not only keeps your cooling units in proper working condition but also improves their efficiency and maintain your energy bills. Refrigerators in good shape can help businesses to serve fresh food to customers and maintain their reputation.