Did you know that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies ice as a food? That means the ice machine in your business needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly, just like any other piece of commercial kitchen equipment.
The FDA specifies that all commercial ice machines need to be cleaned at least two times per year, but they also recommend sanitizing it four times a year to meet food safety standards. That said, the more often it’s cleaned, the better—especially if it’s used frequently.
This post will provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding ice machine maintenance.
What happens if you don’t clean your ice machine?
The main reason to regularly clean your ice machine is to prevent a buildup of bacteria and mold that can make patrons and employees sick. While mold and germs don’t necessarily thrive on the ice itself, they can grow in the warm water that feeds the ice machine.
Legionella bacteria is one of the scariest germs that’s been found in ice machine water. Legionella can cause an illness called Legionnaires’ disease, which can be deadly. A patient at a Pittsburgh hospital died in 2014 after contracting Legionnaires’—she contracted the disease after eating contaminated ice.
Ice machine maintenance can also prolong the lifespan of your unit and prevent breakdowns and subsequent repairs. Cleaning your ice machine can save you tons of money and literally save lives.
What does cleaning an ice machine entail?
Great care needs to be taken while cleaning your ice machine. Cleaning should begin with sanitizing the water that feeds the ice machine. Next you’ll need to scrub the condenser and replace the external water filter. Then inspect the inlet water valve for blockages, and ensure the bearing and auger look good to go.
Components like wires and fasters need to be inspected to ensure they’re not loose or fraying anywhere. Then check that all of the moving parts and gears are properly lubricated. Empty the ice bin, and scrub it clean before finally wiping down the exterior of the machine with the recommended cleaning solution.
Should you clean your machine by yourself?
Because they know how important it is, most manufacturers provide cleaning instructions for their ice machines; so, while you could clean your machine yourself by following the instructions, we recommend hiring a professional to clean and maintain your ice machine.
Bringing in a pro ensures that the machine will be completely sanitary and safe to use. Additionally, a professional can inspect your unit to ensure that it’s in working order and won’t kick the bucket anytime soon.
How can American Refrigeration Inc. help you?
In addition to our HVAC work, we specialize in repairs, maintenance and installation for all sorts of refrigerated commercial products—including ice machines. That means we’re your go-to team for any of your ice machine maintenance or cleaning needs. Contact our professionals today to get a quote or to learn more about how we can assist your business.
Though they’re a necessary component of many businesses, commercial freezers can use up a lot of electricity each month. This is partially due to their large size and the fact that they need to be set to a consistently low temperature to keep food safe.
However, newer freezers with an Energy Star rating have a much lower operating cost than their older predecessors. In fact, depending on the model year of your current commercial freezer, you could save 20 percent on your monthly energy bill by upgrading to an Energy Star certified freezer.
Ways to make your current freezer more energy efficient
The good news is that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a new commercial freezer to make yours more energy efficient. Follow these tips to see some savings each month:
Replace the rubber door seals: The door seals are called gaskets, and they’re designed to keep cold air in while the door is closed. The gaskets start to fall apart over time, leading to cold air escaping and higher energy bills. Keep an eye on them, and replace them when they start to look tattered.
Keep the doors closed: Most parents have had conversations with their kids about keeping the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. This also goes for commercial freezers! Unless you’re grabbing something from the freezer, keep it closed to avoid wasting energy.
Schedule professional maintenance: The best way to reduce your energy costs and prevent breakdowns is by scheduling yearly professional maintenance. These maintenance calls will ensure your freezer is running as it should and can help avoid wasting energy.
Is it time to upgrade your freezer?
A commercial freezer can last up to 20 years before it needs to be replaced, but your freezer might present some signs that it’s time to replace it before that two-decade mark. Here are a few indicators that you should buy a new one:
Your energy bill is sky-high: If your energy bill creeps a bit higher each month, there’s a good chance that your freezer is about to kick the bucket. While Energy Star appliances aren’t always cheap, they’ll pay for themselves in the coming years.
Breakdowns are frequent: A commercial freezer can stop working from time to time, which can mean trouble for your business. If you find yourself frequently calling the repairman, cut your losses and invest in an Energy Star freezer.
The food is spoiling: You’ve got a problem when the food inside your freezer or fridge starts to spoil faster than it should. Not only is this a safety hazard, but it also means that you need a new unit. Ensure you stay out of trouble with the health department by replacing your freezer today.
What can our team do for you?
Whether you need to buy a new freezer, get it repaired or have it maintained, American Refrigeration Inc is the only team you need. We offer an array of services for commercial freezers that ensure your business is always running its best.
You may be wondering if it’s worth the investment to establish a walk-in cold room for your commercial setting. What are the benefits of using a walk-in cold room in Eugene, OR? Here’s your answer. You may be surprised to discover just how advantageous a walk-in cold room can be for your operations.
You can save space
Cramped commercial kitchens are never a good thing. They pose challenges to staff and your operations. Yet, you need cold storage, and bulky refrigerators may seem unavoidable. The fact is, you can eliminate these large units by opting for a walk-in cold room. This addition will free up valuable space in the kitchen for other essential tasks.
You can save money
It may seem counterintuitive that you can save money by making a costly investment, but it’s true. Too often, products are wasted due to spoilage. You can lose a lot of profits due to wasted goods. This happens when a lack of space causes a lack of organization. A walk-in cold room gives you ample space to keep everything organized and sorted by date, so products are used before they spoil. The amount you save on wasted inventory alone can make this investment well worth your while.
You can enjoy convenience
Not only does the walk-in space help prevent waste, it adds convenience. If you’re in a hurry, a large, well-organized area is much easier to access and find what you need quickly. From flowers to produce to medicine, your inventory is easy to identify and locate in an efficient manner.
You can customize
As you’re wondering what might be the benefits of using a walk-in cold room in Eugene, OR, consider how flexible this solution can be. As you set up and begin to use your walk-in cold room, you can create the layout that works best for you. You can also adjust the temperature settings to suit your storage needs. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. You can easily tailor a walk-in cold room to fit the needs of your commercial setting.
You can cool reliably
A walk-in cold room offers reliable cooling for your products. You can set the room to cool at a specific temperature, and the system will ensure the area remains at that cooling level. This might not be true with other refrigeration solutions. They may offer a general range of cool temperatures, but for many products and commercial operations, the cooling must be more precise. A walk-in cold room gives you this precision.
Learn more
Now that you’ve discovered the benefits of using a walk-in cold room in Eugene, OR, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. to learn how to get started. We specialize in meeting all your commercial cooling and heating needs. Our experts can answer any questions you have about the best walk-in cold room solution for your setting. We also offer 24/7 repair services. Call us today at 541-688-0939 to start reaping the benefits of using a walk-in cold room in Eugene, OR.
Appropriate cold room maintenance is crucial when your operations in Eugene, OR involve cold storage. Failure to keep up with cold room maintenance can result in spoiled product, asset loss, customer dissatisfaction and other costly damages. To properly maintain your cold room, use the following guide.
Key components
A cold room typically includes several common components. Each of these should be carefully maintained to ensure the ongoing function of the cold room:
Compressor: This component is responsible for the compression of the refrigerant gas, which is key to keeping the cold room cold.
Condenser: This piece cools the gas to create a cold liquid.
Expansive valve: This valve regulates the flow of gas and turns the liquid gas into a vapor.
Evaporator coils: These coils absorb energy to cool the coils. They also boil and expand the liquid gas.
Refrigerator fans: These components cool the room by circulating the air over the coils.
Cold room door: This specialized door features cold room insulation and seals to maintain the temperature inside the storage area.
Temperature
One way to know if all of the above components are working properly or if they require maintenance is the temperature of the cold room. The appropriate temperature for your cold room depends on what you are storing in the space. The options vary from freezer to fridge to ambient.
If the good you are storing must remain frozen, you must maintain a cold room temperature of 15℃ or colder. For refrigeration of products, the standard cold room temperature is between 2℃ and 8℃. For ambient or room temperature storage, you should set your cold room storage between 8℃ and 25℃. For proper cold room maintenance in Eugene, OR make sure you are using the appropriate setting based on your stored products. Keep in mind that the ambient temperature range is large and should be narrowed down based on your storage needs.
Regular maintenance
To prevent problems with your cold storage, perform regular cold room maintenance in Eugene, OR. Partner with a local refrigeration company to complete this maintenance. Your cold room should be inspected once each season to check for potential problems. When this is done regularly, technicians can spot minor issues before they become major repairs. For example, if the seal on your door is starting to wear, you should replace it before it fails and you risk losing products due to spoilage.
To choose a refrigeration company, look for one that is established in the industry and has a track record of success. Find a business that can respond to your needs with emergency service if necessary, and that stands behind its work with a warranty.
Partner with the pros
For effective cold room maintenance in Eugene, OR, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. Established in 1995, we have been the area’s go-to source for commercial heating and cooling for decades. Emergency repair is available 24/7, and we honor manufacturer rebates and warranties. Call us today at 541-688-0939 for expert cold room maintenance in Eugene, OR.
Do you feel like you’re wasting too much money on the operating costs with your walk-in cooler or freezer in Eugene, OR? You always have the option to replace the system with a more energy-efficient unit, but you might not have the money to spend on such an upgrade at the moment, or it may not be practical for you to do so given the age of the system or other projects that take precedence.
The good news is that there are some simpler steps you can take to lower the operating costs of your walk-in without having to take on massive, expensive projects. Your focus should be cutting down on energy usage and waste, which will, in turn, have a positive impact on the amount of money you’re spending.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the strategies you can employ at your facility in Eugene, OR:
Inspect the door: Regularly check the condition of the door, focusing on the door gaskets and sweeps. If you see evident signs of wear, you’ll want to replace those parts as soon as possible, as damaged gaskets or sweeps could prevent the door from getting a proper seal. This significantly increases the likelihood of air leaks that could result in wasted energy, as cold air will be able to escape and warm air will be able to enter.
Look for signs of light: Once a month, walk into the unit and check around for any signs of light entering from around the door, electrical connections, refrigeration systems or panels. If you see light entering through any of those areas, get a service technician out to the property as soon as you can. Light penetrating the system is a sign that there’s a crack or leak that needs to be addressed. A failure to do so will result in cold air escaping and warm air getting in, both of which will result in an increased strain on the system as it struggles to maintain the desired temperature setting.
Add strip curtains: Strip curtains can help to lower heat gain into the walk-in when loading items in, or simply when walking into the unit. You’ll be surprised just how big of a difference these plastic curtains can make in terms of temperature retention.
Insulation: Consider adding more insulation to the unit. The better your air retention, the less you’ll have to worry about the unit overworking itself to get to your desired temperature.
Get a maintenance schedule going: It’s important to have a strong ongoing relationship with a team of maintenance professionals you can trust with your commercial refrigeration equipment. Work with those technicians to develop a maintenance schedule, and actually stick to it. Over time, your system is going to develop some issues and vulnerabilities. Staying on top of maintenance allows you to catch those issues while they’re small so you can repair them before they get expensive and keep your system operating as efficiently as possible.
