If you own a restaurant, grocery store or any other type of business that makes heavy use of commercial refrigeration, then you know the importance of keeping the refrigeration unit as clean and well maintained as possible. However, many companies do not necessarily understand all of the cleaning tasks they need to accomplish, or the frequency with which they need to perform them.

There are several different aspects of keeping your commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR clean:

• All food should be properly culled and rotated so only fresh food is being served. Old, spoiled food will contaminate the refrigerator, and potentially other foods.
• Food must be properly labeled and stored in containers, and separated according to all health code regulations. This helps to avoid raw and cooked foods mingling.
• All shelves, drawers and bins should be kept clean to prevent bacteria from forming and foul odors from growing.
• Any mechanical elements, such as coils and gaskets, should be regularly cleaned and maintained to keep the unit in good working order.
• The exterior surface should be cleaned frequently to avoid potential cross-contamination of germs, as there are likely many different people who touch the unit on a daily basis.

Strategies for cleaning commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR

Now that you know what needs to be done, it’s important you know how to accomplish it.

The most basic cleanings should occur after every shift. Take the time to inspect the exterior surface and give it a wipe down so it looks clean and ready to go for the next day’s work. Pay specific attention to the handle of the unit, as that is where most germs are likely to congregate. There are plenty of special cleaners made for refrigerator use. These cleaners should never have dyes, acids, ammonia, butyl, caustics or harsh fragrances.

If you do not prepare food but simply have a refrigerator on hand, make sure employees always take care of any messes that form inside the refrigerator. Even if these refrigerators are just used to store lunches, there can still be leaks that occur inside them.

Beyond daily cleanings, you should engage in weekly deep cleaning sessions. These should be performed with a heavy-duty cleaning agent meant for commercial use. Empty food into another refrigerator or stack it into ice-filled coolers first. This is a good time to throw away any food that has spoiled or reached its expiration date. Unplug the refrigerator, then wipe the entire interior clean using a non-toxic cleaner. Work from top to bottom, and remove the drawers to soak them, clean them and rinse them, letting them dry before putting them back in.

Finally, you should also periodically clean the gaskets, seals, condenser coil and fan. Gaskets can simply soak in a soap and water solution, and then be reattached once they’re dry. Condenser coils must be dusted on a regular basis with a safe, water-based coil cleaner. Fan blades should only be cleaned with a soft cloth.

For more information about cleaning commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.