10 Commercial Fridge Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Have you ever seen the show Kitchen Nightmares? It can give you an insight into how bad some businesses’ kitchens are.

Thankfully by reading this article yours is unlikely to feature. Keeping a commercial fridge in good working order is essential for any business that relies on refrigerated goods.

Not only does regular maintenance ensure that food is stored safely, but it also helps prolong the fridge’s life and reduce the repairs’ costs.

Unfortunately, many business owners make common mistakes when it comes to maintaining their commercial fridges. Here are 10 of the most common commercial fridge maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Neglecting Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

One of the most common mistakes businesses make is neglecting regular cleaning and maintenance of their commercial fridges. This can lead to the buildup of dirt and grime, which can cause damage to the fridge and affect its ability to maintain the correct temperature. It can also attract pests, leading to health code violations.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to establish a regular cleaning and maintenance routine for your commercial fridges and your other food preparation devices. This should include cleaning the interior and exterior of the fridge, as well as checking and cleaning the coils, drain lines, and gaskets.

2. Not Keeping Accurate Temperature Records

Another mistake businesses make is not keeping accurate temperature records for their commercial fridges. This can make it difficult to identify when the fridge is not performing correctly. This can lead to food spoilage and health code violations.

To avoid this mistake, use a reliable thermometer to measure the temperature inside the fridge regularly. This will allow you to identify any problems with the fridge. You can take corrective action before it leads to significant damage.

3. Not Performing Proper Defrosting

Proper defrosting is important for the efficient operation of a commercial fridge. When the frost builds up on the coils, it can restrict the flow of cold air. It can make the fridge work harder to maintain the correct temperature.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to defrost the fridge regularly, at least once a month. The best way to do this is by turning off the fridge, emptying it out and then letting it defrost naturally.

4. Using the Wrong Type of Refrigerator

Using the wrong type of refrigerator for your business can lead to several maintenance problems. For example, a reach-in fridge is not suitable for a deli that requires a specific temperature range.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to research the different types of refrigerators available. Consult with a professional in the industry. Then consider the specific needs of your business. This is is a great way to make an informed decision.

Remember having a good fridge is about more than just the effectiveness of your business. It’s also about ensuring food safety regulations. And therefore the welfare and safety of your customers which should be more important than anything else.

5. Failing To Address Small Issues Before They Become Big Problems

Many businesses make the mistake of failing to address small issues with their commercial fridges. This can lead to costly repairs and extended downtime for the fridge.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to pay attention to the signs that your fridge is not working correctly. This can include strange noises, fluctuating temperatures, and the formation of frost or ice. If you notice any of these signs, address the issue as soon as possible.

6. Not Using Proper Repair Techniques

Another common mistake businesses make is improper repair techniques when repairing commercial fridges. This can lead to further damage and increased costs.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to use a reputable repair service or consult the manufacturer’s manual for guidance on how to properly repair your fridge. If you’re not sure about your skills or knowledge in repairing your refrigerator, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.

7. Not Properly Storing Food in the Fridge

Improperly storing food in a commercial fridge can lead to cross-contamination, food spoilage, and health code violations. For example, storing raw meat above ready-to-eat foods can cause cross-contamination and make customers sick.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to understand the proper storage guidelines for different types of food. This includes storing raw meats on the bottom shelves, keeping dairy products at a lower temperature than meats, and using separate containers for raw and cooked foods.

8. Overloading the Fridge

Overloading a commercial fridge can make it difficult to maintain the correct temperature. This can cause damage to the fridge. When the fridge is overstocked, the compressor has to work harder to maintain the correct temperature. This can also lead to increased wear and tear on the fridge.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to monitor the amount of food that is stored in the fridge. Also, do make sure that there is enough space for air to circulate the food.

9. Not Performing Regular Checks of the Door Seals

The door seals on a commercial fridge are responsible for keeping cold air inside the fridge and warm air outside. If the door seals are damaged or worn, the fridge will have to work harder to maintain the correct temperature. This can lead to increased energy consumption and higher costs.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to perform regular checks of the door seals. Be sure to replace them if they are worn or damaged. This will help to ensure that the fridge is operating efficiently and keeping food at the correct temperature

10. Skipping Preventative Maintenance

Skipping preventative maintenance can lead to increased costs. This is because the damage that could have been caught and fixed early on becomes more severe. It can also lead to extended downtime for the fridge, which can be a significant inconvenience for the business.

To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to follow a regular preventative maintenance schedule for your commercial fridge. This should include cleaning, checking for damage, and making repairs as needed. This will help prolong the fridge’s life and reduce the repairs’ costs.

Here are some more general tips to make sure your commercial fridge is always in great condition.

The Importance of Being Proactive

It’s important to remember that commercial fridge maintenance is not just about fixing problems as they arise. It’s also about preventing problems from happening in the first place.

Regular preventative maintenance is key to keeping your fridge running smoothly and prolonging its lifespan and complying with the Food Safety and Inspection Service. This means conducting regular cleaning and inspections to catch any issues early on.

Also, it is important to keep an accurate maintenance log and record the temperature, cleaning, and repairs that are done, so you can easily track when your fridge needs servicing.

Understanding How Your Fridge Works

By understanding the components of your fridge, you’ll be better equipped to identify when something is not working correctly and take action. For example, the compressor is the heart of your fridge and is responsible for circulating coolant and maintaining the correct temperature.

If you notice that your fridge is not keeping food at the correct temperature, it may be an indication that the compressor is not working correctly. You can consider joining the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES). This will provide your and your employees with additional information and training about commercial fridges.

Energy Efficiency

It’s also important to make sure that your commercial fridge is energy efficient. This can save you money on your energy bills and help reduce your business’s carbon footprint.

One way to increase the energy efficiency of your fridge is by making sure that it is properly insulated. Insulation helps to keep the cool air inside the fridge, so it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the correct temperature. Another way to increase energy efficiency is by keeping the door seals in good condition, so that cool air doesn’t escape from the fridge.

Working With a Profesional

When it comes to commercial fridge maintenance, it’s essential to work with a professional. Not only will they have the knowledge and expertise to properly maintain your commercial fridge, but they’ll also be able to help you identify potential problems before they become major issues.

They can also help you make an informed decision on when to replace your fridge, if necessary.

Commercial Fridge Maintenance Mistakes Can Be Avoided Easily

Remember commercial fridge maintenance is an essential aspect of any business that relies on refrigerated goods. By avoiding these commercial fridge maintenance mistakes we’ve outlined above, companies can ensure that their fridges are operating efficiently, safely and effectively, while also saving on maintenance costs.

Always consult with a professional in the industry, and follow the manufacturer’s manual to ensure the proper care of your commercial refrigerator.

For more on how we can help you get the right commercial fridge for your business be sure to contact us today.