Commercial Refrigerator – Cleaning, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

1. Commercial Refrigerator – Cleaning, Maintenance and Troubleshooting Commercial refrigerators play a critical role in the food and catering business, and if they happen to go down suddenly, it can cost you dearly. A whole shipment of fresh produce or desserts might go just down the drain if your refrigerator does not work properly. Refrigerators in any commercial kitchen deserve much appreciation than they generally receive, and often they are not even considered as an appliance that needs regular cleaning and maintenance. However, giving these devices their due attention is the only and most effective way to prevent the dreaded breakdown. The good thing is the preventive measures are simple. Regular cleaning and timely tune-ups can keep a high-quality commercial refrigerator running smoothly for years without any breakdown. Cleaning Cleaning is always the first and most important step of maintenance, and your refrigerator needs to be cleaned periodically. Do not use any harsh soap or hot water on the fridge. Any abrasive scrubber or brush are a strict no. Refrigeration systems made for businesses are heavy-built, and basically, they are quite easy to maintain. If you have spent in a good quality, 304 stainless steel made refrigerator with a branded compressor you have nothing to worry. Check out the cleaning instructions below,

2. Use mild soap water and a soft sponge. Soak the sponge in the soap water and rub the interior of the fridge with soft hands. Any spots or stains on the inner wall should come off without harsh scrubbing or rubbing. Regular spot wash is also a good option to keep the walls from getting stains. The racks can be removed and washed separately with mild soap water and a sponge. Wipe off the interior as well as the racks with a soft absorbing cloth to remove any water stain. Let it dry completely before putting back the racks. The exterior of the device can be dusted with a soft cotton cloth and any permitted agent as per the instructions of the manufacturer. If the appliance comes with a freezer, clear the ice and the box without using any harsh tool or abrasive methods.  Note: It is important that you check and follow the instruction manual from your commercial refrigerator supplier before cleaning the appliance. Depending on the type of commercial refrigeration unit you have, professional cleaning might be necessary.

3. Professional maintenance Irrespective of the type of refrigeration unit you are using in your business, it is only wise to get it checked routinely by a professional technician, even if it seems to run just fine. It is essential to understand that several critical processes are involved in creating the cooling effect, and the cycle goes on continuously without a halt. For best service, the evaporators, condenser coils, fan blades, fan motor of the unit needs to be cleaned and checked regularly for any wear or tear. Routine checks of the drain lines, any air leak, loose electrical connections, and proper working of the filters can prevent a sudden breakdown of the device and ensure the long life of the device. Replacing a part that has worn off considerably before it gives up ultimately is the key to make sure that the fridge does not stop working all of a sudden. It also ensures that the unit functions properly and foods stored in the refrigerator are kept at a proper temperature without any worry for quality degradation. Troubleshooting This short troubleshooting guide is intended only to help you understand the reasons for common fridge problems better. It is recommended to opt for professional help in case any problem arises with the unit. If the interior of the unit is warmer, it might be because of the high temperature in the room, a malfunctioning thermostat, damaged door hinges or broken door gasket. Dirty condenser coil can also be the reason. If there is too much ice build-up in the unit, the auto-defrost function might not be working correctly. In the case of frozen coils, the chance of leakage is maximum. Get professional help. Every refrigeration unit makes some noise, but if the noise seems more than normal, there might be a problem with the compressor or the fan. Water leakage can happen because of a clogged drainage pipe or a full evaporator pan.

4. For any further information about troubleshooting of your commercial refrigeration unit, please get in touch with your supplier.