8 Maintenance Tips for New Commercial Fridges

The worldwide commercial refrigeration market is predicted to grow to over $35 billion by 2027! This is because when running a professional kitchen, a domestic fridge won’t cut it.

But how do you maintain commercial fridges once you buy one? They are a big investment, so you want to take great care of them.

Don’t worry, though! This article is here to give you 8 great maintenance and cleaning tips. This way, you can create a fridge maintenance plan to protect your investment.

1. Keep it Clean

Keeping your commercial fridge clean is essential maintenance in a kitchen. Focus on cleaning both the interior and exterior at least once a week to keep your fridge in the best condition.

Cleaning the Interior

When cleaning the interior, remove everything inside first to avoid contamination. Also, you will have the doors open whilst cleaning it out, so the temperature will rise. This can lead the contents to spoil, so move them to a temporary cooling unit.

Avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning, as they can leave toxic residue behind. Instead, use warm water and soap to wipe over the shelves and doors.

If you have a stain, then find a non-toxic product that can tackle tough or sticky substances.

Once in a while, it is also a good idea to empty it and turn it off so that any ice buildup can melt. Then you can mop up any excess water whilst cleaning out the interior.

Cleaning the Exterior

Cleaning the exterior of your commercial fridge prevents corrosion and other surface damage. Make sure that you match your cleaning products to the material of the fridge exterior.

If your unit is stainless steel, use a soft cleaning utensil that won’t scratch the surface. Sponges, soft brushes, or microfibres cloths are all good options.

2. Banish Mould & Mildew

Excess water in fridges can lead to mould and mildew. So make sure that you clean up any spills and water deposits straight away.

Always check behind shelving and drawers when checking for mould. These are the typical pockets where condensation can get trapped.

One of the best, natural remedies to mould and mildew is a mild vinegar and water solution. One cup of white vinegar mixed with 2 cups of lukewarm water should do the trick!

3. Check Fridge Coils

Checking and cleaning the coils in your fridge is the secret to a long life for your appliances. Let’s look in more detail at each of the coils you need to maintain.

Condenser Coil

The condenser coil in fridges is there to condense and cool the refrigerant. The coils cover the back and bottom of the fridge, to circulate the refrigerant.

You need to keep these coils clean from dirt to prevent them from getting clogged. This will allow them to release heat so they won’t burn out and they will be much more efficient.

Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil helps to remove heat from the refrigeration. It keeps the inside of your fridge at the correct temperature. You can clean this in the same way as the condenser coil, making sure to remove any unwanted debris.

4. Keep Vents Clear

Commercial fridges also have vents to keep air flowing through the mechanisms. It also helps to maintain the temperature both inside and outside of the unit.

Ensure that they don’t get clogged with dust or debris by cleaning them often with a cloth.

5. Store Food Properly

Storing your food in the correct way helps prevent spills from happening in your fridge. This is important for acidic or sticky foods like citrus or honey-based dishes.

Keep food and liquid in sealed containers to avoid leaks. You should also try to organize your fridge in an effective way to keep everything sanitary.

6. Clean Filters Out

The air filters on fridges need to be cleaned often so that they can continue to filter at full capacity. They can become blocked a lot faster if the unit gets positioned close to fryers or areas with a lot of steam.

You can vacuum off any excess dust from the filters or use a soft brush on them. You can also use a degreaser to remove any unwanted grease build-up.

7. Check Gaskets

A refrigerator gasket is an elastic strip that seals the edges of your fridge doors. It prevents air from getting in and out, so you can maintain a consistent temperature inside the unit.

First, you need to make sure you clean the gaskets with the rest of your fridge. Often moisture can get trapped in there due to condensation, so mould and slime can build up there.

Second, look out for signs of wear and tear on the gaskets. If the fridge gets opened and closed many times a day, it may get ripped or damaged.

Also, with age, sometimes gaskets can dry out and become cracked. This prevents them from sealing your fridge, so you may end up with the temperature too high. This can overwork your fridge and shorten its lifespan.

8. Maintain Drain Pans & Tubes

Make sure you clear out the drain pans and tubes of your commercial fridge. Often sludge can build up in these areas, especially in the bends of the tubing.

Without cleaning them out, your fridge may freeze up and stop working. You only need to do this once a month, so make sure you remember!

Master Maintenance of Commercial Fridges

Owning commercial fridges can be a big responsibility, but it doesn’t need to be stressful! With only a few simple steps, you can make maintaining your fridge easy and manageable.

Are you looking for a superior-quality commercial fridge? Snowmaster has a huge range of commercial units, from display fridges to dishwashers. We also offer smart financing options to make our products more accessible.

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us today to find out more!