Commercial refrigerators are essential in a variety of industries and businesses. They aid in the storage of temperature-sensitive items. Your equipment must always be in good working order to ensure that your products are correctly preserved. Commercial refrigerators and coolers must be repaired because businesses or employees fail to clean them as thoroughly as they do floors and other surfaces. Refrigerators should be cleaned inside to remove stains and outside to prevent exterior spills from getting inside. Make sure to remove any excess moisture as well.

Also, make sure that the flooring beneath the equipment is clean. This way, you can keep bacteria and mould from contaminating your food. You should also clean the condenser coils as part of the next task, maintaining the condenser. The food service industry relies heavily on commercial refrigerators. Regular maintenance is required to avoid major breakdowns. Here are some helpful commercial refrigeration maintenance tips to keep your unit in good working order and clean.

Clean the Outside as well as the Inside.

Your commercial refrigerator will require a thorough cleaning every three to four months. Remove the items from the interior and place them in another unit or temporary cooler to accomplish this. Scrub the shelves and surfaces with a soft brush, warm water, soap, or vinegar solution. If you can, remove the shelves and soak them for a few minutes before rinsing them clean. Use a suitable cleaning solution to remove any spills or stains from the outside. For routine maintenance, a solution of warm water and vinegar or detergent works best. Consider using a baking soda paste or an appropriate stainless steel degreaser to remove grease or baked-on food. Remember to wipe away any excess moisture.

You'll also need to clean the floor beneath the refrigerator. This will keep bacteria and other contaminants like mould from contaminating your food. It will also assist you in controlling dirt and dust while maintaining the condenser coils, which is the next task.

Clean the Condenser Coils.

This component in your commercial unit should be cleaned at least once every three to four months because if it becomes dirty or dusty, it can be difficult to maintain the temperature, resulting in overheating and component failure.

The True freezer coils are located near the condenser of the unit. To clean them, turn off the power and use a stiff bristle brush to remove dust and dirt. Then, remove any remaining debris using a strong vacuum or air compressor. Your manual should include specific degreasing instructions if your unit is in a kitchen with fryers or griddles.

Clean the Evaporator Coil.

Like the condenser coil, the evaporator coil is essential to any commercial refrigerator. This component is located near the evaporator fan and absorbs heat as warm air passes through the system, cooling the interior.

Keep this coil clear and clean regularly, and avoid overcrowding the interior of the fridge or freezer, especially if the items are hot. Blocking airflow to the evaporator coil causes it to freeze, resulting in both an increase in cabinet temperature and water leakage.

Regularly Clean Tubes and Drain Pans.

Large commercial refrigeration and freezer units tend to attract a lot of moisture, which can cause the unit to freeze and stop working properly. If these pans overflow with sludge and humidity, they will emit a foul and pungent odour throughout the kitchen. Excessive grime can clog drain tubes. This can result in a defrost system overflow that leaks onto the floor.

To avoid these issues, clean the drain pans and tubing once a month. You can clean the pan with vinegar or warm water and soap. Keep an eye out for any significant tubing blockages. Water spots or calcium may accumulate on the exterior of the hoses, so clean them with soap and water to prevent future wear and tear.

Plan a System Check Routine

Hire a True commercial refrigeration service company to perform a routine system inspection to ensure your machine is in good working order. They can open your unit and inspect its components to see any signs of potential problems. They can perform minor tune-ups and repairs to help prevent more extensive and costly repairs in the future.

Clean the Door Gaskets. 

To avoid damage, clean the gasket regularly. This should be done more regularly if the unit is in a kitchen where grease is frequently used. Over time, excessive grease and dirt can wear out the gasket. It should be cleaned gently with mild soap and water.

Over time, any type of crack or split in the door gasket or seal can occur, allowing cool air inside the refrigerator to escape. If a gasket breaks, replace it with the manufacturer's recommended part. For example, when replacing a True brand refrigerator gasket, you must use the gasket that corresponds to your unit's serial and model number.

Replace the Air Filter.

The grease and dust from your fryers and griddles can cause a large buildup in the air filter, preventing the unit from properly ventilating. Excessive grease and dust can harm the air filter. Dust or vacuum away any loose debris with a powerful shop vacuum. A degreasing solution should be used to remove any thick grease buildup. If you notice any splits in the debris, replace the filter immediately.

Keep Your Refrigerator Dry

Wipe away any liquid accumulated on the shelving or surface of your reach-in unit. Over time, excessive moisture can cause your refrigerator or freezer to freeze. Spills should be cleaned up immediately, and moisture should be checked at least once a week. This maintenance schedule also applies to a walk-in unit. Removing moisture from the floors of your refrigerator can also reduce the risk of falls and slips.

Final Thoughts

A True commercial refrigerator is essential in your establishment for perfectly cooling all of your beverages and ingredients. That is why performing routine maintenance on your unit in between routine service visits is critical. Dirt can build up on the interior and exterior surfaces of your commercial refrigerator over time, affecting the quality of your products if they are susceptible to bacteria and mould growth. As a result, the fridge should be cleaned at least once every 1-2 weeks.