In commercial kitchens, the refrigeration system is essential to daily operations. If a maintenance issue occurs, it is very likely that you’ll have to schedule overnight repairs or risk losing business the next day. Therefore, optimizing your maintenance schedule should be a top priority for facility managers to operate a restaurant, cafeteria, or other foodservice business.
MaintenX specializes in refrigeration repair, and we’ve seen it all. From minor repairs to complete power loss, we’ve helped our customers overcome all sorts of disasters in the kitchen. Below are our top four tips for preventing refrigeration issues and optimizing efficiency:
Invest in a backup generator.
In the event of a power outage, your commercial refrigerator is out of luck. If you are storing days’ or weeks’ worth of perishable items, you cannot afford an outage to spoil it. Invest in a backup generator or UPS system to ensure you never lose money on spoiled food.
Respect your refrigerator’s capacity limits.
It can be tempting to fit as much in one refrigeration system as possible, especially if you’re a struggling small business looking to save cash. However, by overloading your refrigerator, you’ll cause it to work harder to keep cool. This can lead to increased maintenance issues over time. You may even have to replace your refrigeration system early if you don’t take care of it and respect its limits.
Clean it regularly.
Cleaning your refrigeration system is likely the most important maintenance task in a commercial kitchen. Removing spills, leftover food, and water will help prevent mold and mildew growth in the storage compartments and throughout the unit.
Check air filters often.
Grease and dust can accumulate in the air filters and cause ventilation problems in your kitchen. This reduces efficiency and can even be dangerous if not properly addressed. Ask your refrigeration technician to regularly clean air filters and ensure proper operation of other major components of your system.
MaintenX offers refrigeration, HVAC, and other preventative maintenance services for commercial kitchens of all sizes. We specialize in the restaurant and foodservice industries and understand your unique demands. To learn more about our preventative care services, contact your local MaintenX team today!
