Four Simple Steps to Prevent Refrigerator Disasters in the Kitchen
Following four simple steps can prevent a major restaurant disaster and keep your commercial refrigerator running like new. The main culprits that cause equipment failures are dust collection, acidic corrosion, blocked drains, and cracked or peeling gaskets.
1 Keep your condenser dust-free.
Dust and other debris accumulate on the compressor coils. The dust affects the ability of the compressor to function efficiently. In addition, it increases your utility bills by forcing the compressor to work overtime. The result is a burned out compressor. Simply wiping off the dust on a regular basis is an ideal method for maintaining a dust-free condenser.
2 Always cover acidic foods.
Food safety standards require that anything edible in your commercial refrigerator be covered to prevent the spread of cross contamination. More importantly, foods with high levels of acidity, such as pickles and tomatoes, can corrode your commercial refrigeration unit. In fact, they emit acids that eat through refrigerant lines. You can avoid this by storing your entire refrigerated inventory in non-corrosive plastic food storage containers with tightly sealed lids.
3 Ensure that drains are kept clear.
If the pipe at the base of the refrigerator clogs, the interior floods creating frosted build-up in the freezers. The clogs require the condenser to work harder than normal. However, you can prevent flooding by cleaning clogged drains regularly to ensure that the waste pipes are free of oils, food particles, and crumbs.
4 Perform weekly gasket checks.
If the rubber seal has cracks, chilled air will escape, resulting in increased utility bills and decreased performance of the unit. By cleaning and checking your gaskets weekly, you will notice if any part of the gasket is peeling, cracking, or requires replacement.
Keeping your refrigeration units in proper working condition prevents costly repairs. Find more tips like these from CASCO on our Google+ and Facebook pages. Contact us to talk with a certified technician or to schedule a restaurant service appointment.
1 Keep your condenser dust-free.
Dust and other debris accumulate on the compressor coils. The dust affects the ability of the compressor to function efficiently. In addition, it increases your utility bills by forcing the compressor to work overtime. The result is a burned out compressor. Simply wiping off the dust on a regular basis is an ideal method for maintaining a dust-free condenser.
2 Always cover acidic foods.
Food safety standards require that anything edible in your commercial refrigerator be covered to prevent the spread of cross contamination. More importantly, foods with high levels of acidity, such as pickles and tomatoes, can corrode your commercial refrigeration unit. In fact, they emit acids that eat through refrigerant lines. You can avoid this by storing your entire refrigerated inventory in non-corrosive plastic food storage containers with tightly sealed lids.
3 Ensure that drains are kept clear.
If the pipe at the base of the refrigerator clogs, the interior floods creating frosted build-up in the freezers. The clogs require the condenser to work harder than normal. However, you can prevent flooding by cleaning clogged drains regularly to ensure that the waste pipes are free of oils, food particles, and crumbs.
4 Perform weekly gasket checks.
If the rubber seal has cracks, chilled air will escape, resulting in increased utility bills and decreased performance of the unit. By cleaning and checking your gaskets weekly, you will notice if any part of the gasket is peeling, cracking, or requires replacement.
Keeping your refrigeration units in proper working condition prevents costly repairs. Find more tips like these from CASCO on our Google+ and Facebook pages. Contact us to talk with a certified technician or to schedule a restaurant service appointment.