Every now and then your commercial freezer is likely to have an issue that requires some repairs—this is just a fact of life when dealing with such large, energy-consuming equipment. However, you can lessen the likelihood of needing significant repairs at any given time by staying on top of your ongoing maintenance, just like you do with a car.

With this in mind, here are some tips for better ongoing maintenance of your commercial freezers in Eugene, OR:

• Clean your freezer: Always keep your freezer clean. A simple mixture of water and soap will do just fine—the use of harsh chemicals could result in your doing some damage to the metal surfaces or some of the other fixtures inside the freezer. If any spills occur, make sure you clean them up quickly to prevent them from freezing and causing damage (or just being unsanitary).
• Clean the parts: Cleaning the plastic and metal surfaces isn’t enough—you should make it part of your maintenance routine to clean some of the individual parts of the equipment as well. Blades and evaporator fan coils, for example, should be cleaned once a quarter. This also gives you a good opportunity to inspect them for damage so you can replace them as needed.
• Check the condensing unit: Add regular checks of the condensing unit to your routine, and never allow any garbage or other debris to collect across the walk-in area.
• Check the doors: Door seals and hinges are extremely important in cooling and freezing units, because they prevent warm air from getting in and cold air from getting out. The hinges should all be properly lubricated to ensure they open and close smoothly without any issues. The seals should close properly to create an airtight seal. Never keep the door propped open for any prolonged period of time, and always make sure the door closes tightly. Seals and hinges should be replaced as soon as possible if they develop any noticeable wear and tear or if they are no longer working as they are supposed to.
• Track the temperature: Keep a log of your freezer temperatures and note any fluctuations. These fluctuations could be a sign that there’s something malfunctioning in the freezer system. Many systems allow you to store a temperature history for up to 10 years, which can help technicians to search for patterns in this history and diagnose a potential problem.
• Develop a relationship with your maintenance technician: Having a good relationship with your maintenance technician will make it easier for you to create a good scheduled maintenance program that keeps all of your equipment operating in optimal condition. Plus, your technician will get familiar with your system and know when something is not operating as it should be.

Looking for more tips about how to keep your commercial freezers in Eugene, OR in great condition for many years to come? Contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.