10 Top Tips for Maintaining Your Walk-In Fridge or Freezer
Whether you run a restaurant, supermarket or convenience store, your walk-in fridge or freezer is a highly important and beneficial investment.
Therefore, it should be well looked after in order to prolong its life. So here are a few hints and tips for maintaining your commercial fridges or freezers.
10 Tips to Keep Your Walk-In Fridge or Freezer Working Efficiently
Here are our top 10 tips on how to keep your Walk-In Fridge or Walk-In Freezer working correctly:
1. Keep the Door Closed
Close the door when not in use. You shouldn’t block or prop the door open for prolonged periods of time either.
2. Keep the evaporator & condensing coil clean
Clean the evaporator and condensing coil or hire a competent specialist to do it for you. These should be cleaned periodically, preferably once every six months.
3. Check the fan motors
Check the fan motors to ensure they’re operating at optimum speed.
4. Keep the condensing units clear
Maintain the area around outside condensing units. Remove all boxes, debris or plant matter that’s growing in or around the unit to ensure a clear and adequate airflow.
5. Don’t put objects on top of the unit
Don’t store objects on top of the walk-in fridge or freezer. Although this may not be an option for everyone who has commercial cooling facilities, doing so could cause damage to the ceiling panels.
6. Get your unit checked by a technician – at least yearly
Have it checked by a qualified technician periodically. This should ideally happen once or twice a year depending on the age and condition of your fridge or freezer. They’ll check that everything is running normally and safely.
7. Check the insulation & suction lines for damage
Check for damage in the insulation and on the suction lines between the condensing unit and evaporator coil. These should be replaced as and when necessary.
8. Lubricate the hinges
Lubricate the hinges once a year to ensure smooth opening and closing of the door.
9. Turn off the lights
Ensure lights are switched off when you exit the walk-in. Lights produce heat which could cause the unit to use more energy in order to stay at optimum temperature.
10. Check the door sweep
Check the door sweep for tears and damage. This is to make sure the doors are sealing properly, as well as being good for the safety of you and your employees.
How to Keep Your Walk-In Fridge or Freezer Clean
Often, soap and water will generally do the trick here.
Deep Clean Once a Month for a Clean Walk In Box
Don’t use harsh chemicals as it could react and cause damage to the metal surface of the walk-in. It’s recommended that a deep clean be carried out once a month, removing all boxes and cages to create a completely empty space. Take a brush or broom and sweep the area first, then take a mop and clean the floor with an antibacterial cleaning agent. You can also use the same cleaning solution to wipe down the walls.
To clean the evaporator and condensing coils, use a self-rinsing cleaner, soap and water, together with a soft bristled brush, then leave to air dry. The drain lines should be cleaned about once a year, it’s advised that you work with a service technician to ensure they’re completely clean and free of any debris that may get trapped in there and cause blockages.
Door gaskets should be regularly wiped down with soap and water to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria. If you notice that the door gaskets have been damaged, or if they’re cracked, the door won’t seal properly, therefore, it should be replaced.
Godfrey & Lappage Refrigeration Walk-in Cooler Maintenance Agreement
We provide extensive maintenance contracts for walk-in freezers and walk-in fridges. Contact us for more information on 0203 858 5524.
Established in 1997, Godfrey & Lappage Services Limited has been providing the city of London with superior air conditioning and commercial refrigeration services and products for 22 years.
With over 100 years of combined industry experience, our highly trained team of experts are able to supply, install and maintain a comprehensive range of air conditioning systems and commercial refrigeration services. For more information on the products we sell or the services we provide, contact us today – we operate throughout Essex, Hertfordshire, London and the surrounding area.