Commercial refrigerators are at the heart of any food service enterprise. If a unit breaks down, it could cause some severe inconvenience to the company. Of course, all units eventually reach the end of their useful lifespan. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do everything possible to extend that life!
By keeping up with regular cleanings of your commercial cooler in Florida, you can significantly extend its lifespan. Here are some tips to help you do just that.
Cleaning the motor and fan blades
The motor and blades on commercial units need to be cleaned at least once a month. This is a relatively simple process. All you need to do is take a soft cloth and run it over these components. If the blades are particularly grimy, you can wash them with a damp cloth. Just make sure you cover the motor with another dry cloth first to prevent water from seeping into it.
Cleaning the condenser coil
A dirty condenser coil can cause the unit to work much harder than it needs to, which can ultimately cause it to overheat. Therefore, you should clean this part at least once a month to make sure it’s always clear of dust and dirt.
The location of the coil on units can vary, so you will want to check the manual for the equipment if you do not know exactly where it is. There are commercial condenser coil cleaning solutions available at just about any kitchen equipment retailer. These products are a great help in cleaning the part. You should use a brush to scrub down the condenser fins, but only scrub from top to bottom—going from side to side could damage the unit. Once scrubbing is complete, straighten out any fins you might have bent with a comb.
There are other types of units that automatically clean their condenser coils by themselves on a daily basis, but for most people, you will need to do this manually.
Cleaning the interior of the unit
You must take great care when cleaning the interior so as not to damage the finish or leave behind chemical scents or traces. It’s important to never use any caustic chemicals, bleach or steel wool. Instead, you can create a simple mixture of warm water and a mild soap to scrub out the inside of the unit, and use a soft towel or brush.
Once a week or so you should also remove the gaskets from the door and allow them to soak in a soap and water solution for about a half hour, after which you can dry them off and put them back on the door, making sure they are properly sealed. This prevents the gaskets from becoming sticky and corroded, which can make opening the door and creating a seal far more difficult.
For more tips and tricks related to cleaning a commercial cooler in Florida, contact us today at 5 Star Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. We look forward to working with you!