Customers might not realize it, but restaurants are high-volume, high-pressure environments that strive to give each customer the best in every bite. Behind the scenes, restaurant kitchens rely on trusty commercial appliances that allow them to store, prepare, and serve food safely and efficiently. But the daily service rush often comes at a hidden cost: the long-term health and function of commercial appliances like refrigerators, to the point of a breakdown.
Commercial refrigerators are some of the best in the market, but it’s not enough to simply buy one — it’s just as important to use them properly. As with any equipment, they require regular preventative maintenance to detect and repair the first sign of damage. The last thing any restaurant needs is losing inventory due to a refrigerator breakdown that compromises food safety.
What happens when a commercial refrigerator is poorly maintained?
Many business owners are put off by preventative maintenance because they often think it is simply another expense to contend with on an already tight budget. But regular maintenance is actually a cost-saving measure — it keeps your commercial refrigerator running smoothly and helps prevent larger, more expensive damages to repair. Well-maintained commercial refrigerators hold consistent, food-safe temperatures that ensure optimal storage conditions and prevent inventory loss from spoilage.
Without regular maintenance, commercial refrigerators are at risk of damage to components like drain lines, condenser, and compressor. Condensation can build up in clogged drain lines, while condenser coils can burn. Over time, a damaged compressor can reduce your commercial refrigerator’s energy efficiency, which causes utility bills to skyrocket and shorten the refrigeration unit’s life.
Also, missing out on regular maintenance can cause a refrigerator to generate extra heat that can damage other equipment and corrode its internal parts. Refrigeration leaks can also occur, which increases pollution and emissions produced by the refrigerator.
Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance To-Do List.
You play a major role in maintaining the optimal function of your commercial refrigerator. This starts with establishing kitchen cleaning protocols, such as training staff to clean the shelves, keep food items properly organized, and keep the area around the fridge clear of blockages. As well, make it a habit to take daily temperature checks of the fridge cabinet to make sure that they hold consistent, food-safe temperatures for cool storage.
Aside from daily upkeep, you also need to book a regular preventative maintenance service to keep your refrigerator in optimal condition. Regular maintenance covers the entire unit, including the interior cabinet and exterior parts, as well as the cooling function.
A professional technician will check:
- The temperature settings against actual thermostat readings
- Defrost settings and timer
- Electrical connections
- Refrigerant level
- Compressor function and control wiring
- Unit thermometer
- Oil motors
- Suction line insulation
- Door gaskets to ensure an airtight seal and prevent cold air leaks
- Door hinges and door closers.
To maintain your refrigerator, the technician will also conduct preventative repairs or equipment tune-ups. These include pressure cleaning or degreasing condenser coils, clearing condensate in drain lines, and checking and adjusting defrost timers to remove frost build-up and ensure stable cooling temperatures in the fridge cabinet.
As well, they will also disassemble and clean ice makers and fan blades. Finally, they can even recommend new fixtures like switching to LED lights to reduce heat generated in the fridge interiors and energy consumption.
Advantages Of Routine Commercial Refrigeration Preventative Maintenance.
Your commercial refrigerator should function smoothly to promote food safety and maximize restaurant inventory with regular maintenance. A well-maintained fridge guarantees efficient energy consumption and lower utility bills so that you can get the best of both optimal food storage and cost-saving operations.
That’s because preventative maintenance detects damage early on, so they can be repaired immediately before a massive breakdown occurs, and multiple parts replacement is needed. These preventative checks help extend the life of your equipment, which maximizes your investment and eliminates the risk of an early — and costly — unit replacement.
Regular maintenance is your first line of defence against mould growth and contamination — severe food safety issues that impact quality customer service. It also helps avoid system oil and capillary tube breakdowns, along with compressor failures. While regular maintenance can seem like a recurring expense, its overall benefits still outweigh this much smaller cost compared to the price of emergency repairs and the resulting losses from food spoilage.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late for Fridge Maintenance.
The long-term, reliable function of your commercial refrigerator is only as good as its regular upkeep. Without regular maintenance, minor malfunctions — like inconsistent cooling temperatures and frost build-up can cause long-term damage that is far more expensive to repair, or force an upgrade that restaurants like yours aren’t financially — and even logistically — prepared for.
By avoiding these pitfalls with regular maintenance, you can save on expenses and guarantee fresh, quality bites and customers’ utmost safety.
