Your business relies on your commercial refrigeration system, and while these units can last for years, they require proper maintenance in order to operate.
Luckily, maintaining your commercial refrigeration unit is not a strenuous undertaking.
By keeping an eye on key components of your system and taking the time to clear and clean messes and debris, you can ensure that your unit works for you for a long time!
Plus, you don’t always have to face this undertaking alone with top-notch commercial refrigeration maintenance teams in Edmonton, such as Advantage Refrigeration.
To help you get started on maintaining your commercial refrigeration system, here are a few tips from our experts:
Clean the Unit Inside and Out
Cleaning the interior of your commercial refrigeration unit is important to maintain a properly sanitized environment, but it also helps maintain the condition of your fridge as well.
Exterior spills can end up accessing components of the unit necessary for its function.
Additionally, cleaning under your commercial refrigerator will prevent dirt and dust from clogging up the condenser coils.
Regularly Clean Your Condenser Coils
Your commercial refrigeration unit’s condenser coils should be cleaned at least once every six months.
However, the frequency depends on your circumstances, and if you find your condenser coils are collecting too much dirt before the six-month time period is up, you’ll have to clean them more often.
Regularly inspecting your business’s refrigeration unit is key to ensuring that your condenser coils are free of debris and functioning properly.
When there is excess buildup on the coils, your fridge’s evaporator will have to work harder and take longer to cool the inside of the unit.
Failing to regularly clean your condenser coils could cause undue strain on your commercial refrigeration system and require a call to commercial refrigeration repair technicians.
Check the Evaporator Coil
Just like the condenser coils, the evaporator coils of your refrigeration unit are essential to its proper function.
The evaporator coil is located near the evaporator fan and absorbs any heat that passes through the system to help cool down the interior of the fridge.
Keep the area around the coil clear by avoiding overfilling your unit – a blocked evaporator coil will cause the interior temperature of your unit to rise and could lead to water leakage.
Clean the Tubing and Drain Pans
If you own a large commercial refrigeration unit, it’s more likely that sludge will form and cause the unit to freeze up and stop working properly.
This sludge tends to form inside the tubing and drain pans; if the pan overflows, it will cause a mess and a smell.
Clogged tubes are also an issue since this can cause an overflow in the defrost system and result in leaks.
You can clean your drain pan once a month using a simple solution of vinegar or soap mixed with warm water.
Take a look at the tubing every few months to check for blockages.
Inspect the Door Gaskets and Seals
When you have a commercial refrigeration unit that is frequently used, normal wear and tear are bound to occur to the door gaskets and seals.
Split or torn gaskets can allow warm air to seep into the refrigerated space and spoil your food and products.
Food debris can also become trapped in worn-out gaskets, leading to mold and bacteria build-up.
Inspect all four sides of your unit’s gaskets every couple of months. Look for tears or rips and make sure all the gaskets seal properly around the door.
You can gently clean the gaskets using mild soapy water to remove food debris.
Clean Out the Ice Maker
For commercial refrigeration units that have an ice maker, it’s important to keep this part of the system clean.
Failing to do so can lead to mold and bacteria build-up, leading to health problems for your customers!
Cleaning out a commercial ice maker can be a bit of a task. You can always contact a commercial refrigeration maintenance team to thoroughly clean this component.
Clean and Replace the Air Filters
Commercial refrigeration units utilize air filters to prevent dust and debris from circulating inside the unit and ensure that the unit’s interior is properly ventilated.
And just like the air conditioners and furnaces in your home, they need to be replaced regularly.
Except that refrigeration air filters can often develop a buildup of grease from nearby fryers. You will need to use a degreasing solution to remove this debris from the air filters.
Otherwise, you can use a shop vacuum to clear out any dust or loose debris.
If you notice any tears or damage to the air filters during cleaning, the filter will have to be replaced immediately.
Calling in the Professionals
There are certain aspects of maintaining your commercial refrigeration system that you simply cannot DIY or need additional help with if you have completed these maintenance steps.
Here are some issues that need to be addressed by a professional commercial refrigeration technician:
- No airflow within the unit.
- The unit isn’t cold enough.
- No power in the system.
- The compressor fails to run or is running in short cycles.
- The fan motor has stopped working.
- The evaporator coil is covered in ice.
An expert can diagnose the issue and determine whether a repair or replacement is appropriate for your situation.
Peace of Mind for Your Business!
At Advantage Refrigeration, we understand that your business relies on the proper operation of your commercial refrigeration system.
This is why we offer 24/7 emergency commercial refrigeration repair in Edmonton as well as regular commercial refrigeration maintenance for Edmonton businesses.
With preventative maintenance, we can uncover small issues before they become bigger problems to avoid sunk costs, spoiled food, and huge repair bills.
Are you ready to get started? Click here to get a free quote or contact us for more information.
