Commercial fridges are an integral part of a professional kitchen and the last thing you need is for them to be underperforming, this can lead to contamination and food spoilage. So in order to keep your commercial fridge ticking over, you need to make sure you’re doing the right things to keep it cold.
Here are some tips to make sure your fridge does its job:
Don’t touch the thermostat
If you’ve noticed the temperature has risen in your fridge, you may feel the urge to change the thermostat to help regulate the temperature. This is going to increase the temperature because the mechanics of the fridge have now had to work even harder to lower the temperature. Unless the temperature is well above 4°C, leaving it alone is your best bet and will allow it to gradually regulate itself.
Don’t open the doors
This one is a no-brainer but when service is busy, the fridge doors will be constantly opened and closed which means cold air escapes every time. Try to only open the door when necessary and grab as many things as you think you’ll need at one time. It’s also a good idea to not get into the habit of leaving the door open as this will dramatically lower the temperature of your fridge.
Move it
Perhaps when the kitchen was designed no consideration was put into the placement of the fridge. If the fridge is in a hotspot then it may struggle to regulate the temperature. Move the fridge to a cooler part of the kitchen so that it is positioned away from ovens and fryers and can do a better job of cooling. Most commercial fridges are mounted on castors so you can easily move them around.
Clean the filters
Professional kitchens need cleaning much more regularly because of the build-up of grease, food, dust and this goes for your filters too. Lots of things in a kitchen can block the airflow through the filters and if a fridge doesn’t have good air circulation then it will struggle to maintain the right temperature. If these aren’t cleaned regularly then your fridge may not function properly and could result in pricey repairs.
Organise your fridge
A well-organised fridge will have better stock rotation and allow the fridge to function more efficiently. All you need to do is create a plan for where everything will be stored so that you know exactly where it is and you can close the fridge quicker. Not only this, but it will help maintain the temperature if the air can be circulated well throughout. If you find there isn’t much space and your fridge is crammed full, it may be worth investing in another fridge.
Looking for commercial refrigeration systems in Gloucester? Mitchell’s are reliable refrigeration specialists helping hospitality and retail businesses with consistent and trustworthy refrigeration and aim to keep your commercial fridges running at optimal temperatures. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.