How to maintain a commercial refrigeration system?

Commercial refrigerators are vital to the food service industry. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent major breakdowns.

Here are some useful commercial refrigeration maintenance tips to keep your unit functional and clean.

Clean the inside as well as the outside

Your commercial refrigerator will need a deep clean every three to four months. To do so, remove the items from the interior and place them in another unit or temporary cooler. Using a soft brush, scrub the shelves and surfaces with warm water and soap or a vinegar solution. If you can remove the shelves, soak them for a while then rinse them clean. Clean out any spills or stains on the outside with a proper cleaning solution. A combination of warm water and a vinegar or detergent-based solution works best for routine maintenance. If you need to remove grease or baked-on food, consider using a baking soda paste or an appropriate stainless steel degreaser. Don’t forget to wipe off the excess moisture.

You will have to clean the floor underneath the refrigeration too. Doing so will prevent bacteria and other things like mould from contaminating your food. It will also help you control dirt and dust while maintaining the condenser coils, which is the next task you have to do.

Clean the condenser coils

Ideally you should clean this component in your commercial unit at least once every three to four months because if it gets dirty or dusty, it can be difficult to maintain temperature, causing overheating and component failure.

The freezer coils are located near the unit’s condenser. To clean them, disconnect power to the unit and use a stiff bristle brush to remove dust and dirt. Then, clear any remaining remnants with a strong vacuum or air compressor. Your manual should provide specific degreasing tips, which are crucial if your unit is in a kitchen near fryers or griddles.

Clean the evaporator coil

The evaporator coil, just like the condenser coil, is a vital component of your commercial refrigerator. This part is located by the evaporator fan and helps absorb heat as the warm air passes through the system, which cools down the interior.

Keep this coil clear and clean consistently and avoid cramming the interior of the fridge or freezer with a lot of items, especially if they’re hot. Blocking airflow to the evaporator coil will cause it to freeze up, which then leads to both a rise in cabinet temperature and water leakage.

Regularly clean Tubes and Drain Pans

Large commercial refrigeration units and freezers tend to attract a huge amount of moisture, which can cause the unit to freeze up and might stop it from working properly. If these pans overflow with sludge and moisture, it’ll create a nasty and pungent smell throughout the kitchen space. Excess grime can cause drain tubes to clog. This can cause an overflow in the defrost system that will leak onto the floor.

To prevent these problems, clean the drain pans and the tubing every month. You can clean the pan using a vinegar solution or warm water and soap. Keep an eye out for any significant blockage in the tubing. Water spots or calcium on the exterior of the hoses may build up so clean them with soap and water to prevent future wear and tear.

Clean the door gaskets (seals) 

Clean the gasket frequently to prevent any damage. This should be done more often if the unit is in a kitchen where grease is regularly used. Too much grease and dirt can wear out the gasket over time. It should be cleaned very gently using mild soapy water.

Any type of crack or split on the door gasket or seal can happen over time, which will allow cool air from inside the refrigerator to escape. So, if a gasket is broken, make sure to replace it with the appropriate manufacturer-recommended part. For instance, when replacing a True brand refrigerator gasket, you must use the gasket associated with your unit’s serial and model number.

Keep the ice maker clean

The ice maker tends to accumulate bacteria and mould, which can cause health problems. No one wants to find dirty ice in their drinks, so keep it clean.

To do so, empty ice from the ice bin and ice maker. Drain the water from the water pan and press the “clean” or wash “button”. You can also add the recommended cleaning solution. When the cycle ends, clean the internal components and rinse all areas with clean water.

Replace the air filter

The grease and dust from your fryers and griddles can cause a large buildup in the air filter, which can prevent air in the unit from ventilating properly. To take care of this, dust or loose debris with a powerful shop vacuum. Clean up any thick grease buildup with a degreasing solution.

Too much grease and dust can damage the air filter. If you notice any splits from the debris, make sure to replace the filter immediately.

Keep Your Refrigeration Unit Dry

Make sure to wipe off any liquid that accumulates on the shelving or surface of your reach-in unit. Too much moisture can cause your refrigerator or freezer to freeze up over time. You should clean up spills immediately and check for moisture buildup at least once a week.

This maintenance schedule applies for a walk-in unit as well. Removing moisture from the floors of your fridge can reduce the risk of slips and falls as well.