A Guide to Your Reach-In Refrigerator

​What You Need To Know About Your Refrigerator

Your commercial refrigerator is one of the mainstays of your business. Of course, if something goes wrong, you reach out to a professional commercial refrigerator service. However, knowing some basics of maintaining this vital piece of equipment can help you avoid many types of problems in the first place.
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Major Components
 
Your refrigerator uses several key components to perform its task of keeping its contents at a properly cool temperature. These include

• Refrigerant: This is a chemical that travels through the fridge and moves the heat outside of it. Today's manufacturers typically use a hydrocarbon refrigerant, which decreases wear and tear on the components it travels through and is more energy efficient than older versions.

 

• Compressor: This unit compresses the refrigerant, causing it to turn from a gas to a liquid form so that it can release the heat it accumulates. The compressor is part of the condensing unit and is located on the outside of the fridge, either at the top or the bottom.

 

• Condensing Coil: This is a long copper tube leading away from the compressor in a winding pattern. The compressed refrigerant goes through this tube, losing heat as it passes. A large number of small fins around the tubing draw even more heat away.

 

• Evaporator: This component allows the refrigerant to gather the heat from inside the refrigerator's cabinet. Similar to the condenser, it is a long tube. When passing through the evaporator, the refrigerant is in a gaseous form. As it operates, water condensation form son top of the coil and freezes. Therefore, the fridge has a defrosting system to get rid of this ice. For most commercial fridges, this system will be automatic; your fridge may also have a manual option. However, if the automatic defroster is not performing well, your best option is to call a commercial refrigerator service, as this can be a sign of other problems. Running the defroster on manual usually just means putting a band-aid on a more serious issue.

 

• Refrigerant Metering Device: Effective heat absorption needs an optimal flow of refrigerant through the evaporator. A metering device such as a capillary tube or thermal expansion valve system takes care of this task.

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• Insulation: This is a material that surrounds the cabinet and keeps the heat out. It is key to energy efficiency. Good insulation stops heat from entering longer; thus, there is less runtime and less wear and tear.

 
Proper Care and Maintenance
 
Some basic maintenance and inspection tasks can help you avoid breakdowns. First, check gaskets for wear and tear. This rubber part can wear out or crack, allowing warm air to enter. This, in turn, forces your fridge's systems to work harder and break quicker. Checking and replacing gaskets as needed is an easy way to keep your refrigerator operational longer.
 
Second, keep the condensing coil and the cabinet clean. Dust and debris buildup traps the heat in the coils, preventing the condenser from doing its job of dispersing the heat outside the fridge. A clean cabinet is less likely to develop rust and pitting, which can lead to deterioration.
 
Finally, small problems are easier to repair than big ones. Regularly checking your refrigerator's systems can alert you to issues at an early stage. If your commercial fridge is not performing optimally, Casco repair professionals are here to help. 


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