As the temperature gets hotter by the day, it’s more important than ever that commercial refrigerators used in the catering industry are functioning properly this summer. Read on for some essential tips on how you should be caring for your commercial refrigerators in the warmer weather.
Avoid overloading
Overfilling your fridge is a certified way to cause long-term problems. It’s normal to want to use as much as your fridge as possible, but by overloading you can block the vents which makes it difficult for air to circulate. This means that your refrigerator motor and condenser are having to work much harder than they would normally need to do, thus putting strain on them. This can lead to excess wear and tear, and ultimately to equipment failure – so make sure there’s considerable breathing room inside your fridge.
Make sure doors are closed
A refrigerator door left open in the blistering heat is every restaurant worker’s worst nightmare. Keeping doors shut ensures that your fridge will run efficiently and is ultimately crucial to maintaining the low temperature needed to keep food fresh. When doors are left open, your refrigerator’s compressor has to then drive the warm air out and bring the temperature back to normal. This wastes considerable energy and puts a great deal of strain on your fridge – so please remember to shut the doors!
Clean regularly
You should be cleaning your commercial refrigerator regularly throughout the year, but in summer pay particular attention. If you don’t have a good cleaning regime then you run the risk of food contamination, bacterial growth and food poisoning – high temperatures will only exacerbate these issues. To avoid a build up of mould and bacteria, as well as clogged filters and a blocked fridge drain hole, give your fridge a thorough clean whenever possible.
Don’t switch off your fridge
In a busy commercial kitchen, it’s relatively easy for fridges and freezers to be turned off by accident. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened, while a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. However, clearly if the power is disrupted for a longer period of time this can lead to food spoilage – so make sure you’re taking care to check if your fridge is actually switched on.
If you need help with your commercial fridge, get in touch today with Mitchell’s. We are a reliable company that specialises in commercial fridge repair in Gloucester, working with businesses in the restaurant and the retail industry for the installation and upkeep of refrigeration systems. For assistance with catering fridges, contact us today to find out more about our services.