Prepare your refrigeration equipment for a trouble-free summer

Refrigeration equipment works hardest in the summer months because there is more heat to remove.

If the equipment is not well maintained, your energy consumption will increase, the equipment will wear out faster, and the risk of breakdown and loss of stock will rise. Remember the last time you had an $800 service call on the weekend?

Prevention is better than cure, so it’s advisable to plan ahead for a hot, busy season. Talk to your refrigeration technician about the best time to service all your equipment in one go.

Fridge and freezer maintenance tips

• Note the make, model and serial number of your equipment and provide the information to your repairer before they come to replace any parts. Better still, take a photo of the labels or asset plate (which can sometimes be hard to find). This will save you time and money.
• Get everything you’ll need ready before you start: Tools, cleaning equipment, chemicals, and safety gear, including gloves, goggles and apron.
• Turn equipment off and disconnect power after removing stock and before cleaning or moving the equipment.
• Always reconnect and turn power on before restocking the equipment.
• Ensure power leads are lifted to avoid damage from castors, legs or wheels.
• Check refrigeration drains are in position to catch potential leaks.
• Never move or lift heavy items without assistance — always follow OH&S procedures.
• Check all door seals for rips, tears or lifting — this is where hot air gets in (contrary to popular belief, chilled air does not leak out), putting an extra strain on the motors 24/7.
• Check all condensers (the cooling fins on the external motor, which act like a car’s radiator) for dust and debris. Clean them regularly (because they can be hard to access, staff will often avoid this task).
• Check evaporators (inside the fridge) for ice build-up, food scraps and debris. If there is regular ice build-up, check for air leaks, including the door seals. You may need to log a service call to find the cause.
• Check drains are free from blockages. All refrigeration equipment has a drain to remove water from the evaporator during the defrost cycle. Some drain directly to the plumbing and others into a drain pan or evaporator pan within the cabinet. Drain pans need to be emptied regularly and evaporator pans needs to be maintained and kept clean or you will cook a soup you cannot eat!
• Check internal shelves are clean and free from rust.
• Check doors open and close properly and that hinges and handles are in safe working order.
• If the cabinets are not fixed into position, remove them and clean all external surfaces, floors and walls.
• Remote refrigeration motors should always be serviced by a qualified technician.
• All refrigeration equipment should be professionally serviced by a qualified technician at least annually — to, among other things, confirm there are no refrigerant gas leaks.

Cool room and freezer room maintenance tips

• Remove all stock, clean and sanitise the shelving, floors, walls and ceilings.
• Check the warning bell is operational — repair or replace if needed.
• Check the internal light is working and that there’s no moisture in the light cover or signs of mould. If there is, and there are no air leaks, you’ll need to order a professional inspection.
• Check the shelving is free from rust. Is it time to replace it with modular plastic shelving that can go through the dishwasher?

Ice maker maintenance tips

• Confirm when the last professional service was; these services should happen every 6 months at a minimum.
• Replace the water filter every 6 months.
• Run the wash cycle using specified chemicals every 6 months to descale and sanitise the trough and evaporator plate.
• Each week empty the ice in the bin before washing, sanitising and drying it thoroughly. Make this a part of your cleaning roster.
• Make sure the drain hole and hose are not blocked.
• Check the inlet and drain hoses are in good condition. No leaks = save water = save $!

Signs it’s time to replace your refrigeration equipment

When your refrigeration equipment is on the verge of packing up, the signs are unmistakeable, say the experts at Commercial Fridge and Freezer Sales Australia. Here are some of the signs:

Defrosting

Foods shouldn’t defrost in your commercial refrigerator — even if you switch it off from time to time. If the food is defrosting, it means your refrigerator isn’t maintaining the right temperature.

Loud sounds

Usually, refrigeration systems hum; the quality of the sound depends on the set temperature. But once they start making loud sounds you can’t help but notice, or buzz or hiss, it’s invariably a sign they’re old and need to be replaced.

Pools of water

If there’s a pool of water inside your refrigerator or on the floor, you need to check what’s wrong. It could be something simple you can fix, such as rubber sealing that needs to be adjusted, or a major fault that requires an expert’s attention.

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