As a restaurateur, professional chef or someone who’s ever worked in a kitchen, you know how important the kitchen’s walk in cooler is. Without a properly running commercial cooler, food will spoil. If spoiled food ends up being served, it could make customers sick; if spoiled food is thrown out, it’s just a waste of money. The only way to ensure that commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR are always up and running is by keeping them maintained at all times. Here are just a few ways to do so:
Clean the cooler on a regular basis: A kitchen’s countertops, cutlery, ovens, stoves and other appliances need to be spotless; the same holds true for a kitchen’s walk in cooler. Meat, especially chicken, is teeming with bacteria. You can’t risk having that bacteria build up in your walk in cooler and contaminating the rest of your cold food. Harsh cleaning chemicals can damage the cooler’s metal surfaces, so soap and water are the best things to clean with. Also, be sure to mop up any spills or excess water before the puddles freeze and cause slip and fall accidents.
Remove the food once a year food for cleaning: One day each year, you’ll need to spend some time after the restaurant closes and take out all of the food from the freezer. During this time, you can inspect all of the coils to make sure they’re working correctly. More importantly, wash the whole cooler out with a hose.
Check the door: Commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR get a lot of use. Cooks and kitchen staff are in and out of the walk in cooler all day long. Since the doors are always opening and closing, the hinges tend to wear down faster than a normal door. It’s recommended that the hinges be oiled several times a year by a staff member or by a professional. You should never leave the kitchen door open for extended periods of time, either. While keeping the door propped open can be more convenient, it will waste energy and can cause food to go bad more quickly.
Monitor the temperature daily: A walk in cooler needs to stay at the same temperature day in and day out. Fluctuations, even if they’re small, can spoil the food and be an indication of a bigger problem. Call a technician as soon as you notice that you’re not getting consistent readings.
Hire a professional: The easiest way to ensure that commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR always function correctly is by hiring one of our technicians. One of our knowledgeable professionals will gladly inspect your cooler and can fix any current or potential problem that he sees. We’re trained in working with any brand and size of cooler, so there’s no job too big or too small for us to handle.
If you happen to run into any sort of issue with your walk in cooler, our trained technicians are available for repairs and inspections. Give American Refrigeration Inc. a call as soon as you find a problem!
While thinking about your HVAC system malfunctioning probably isn’t something you enjoy doing, it’s likely that, at some point, your equipment will need to be repaired or replaced. But how do you know if your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR simply requires a repair, or if a replacement is in order?
Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
High cost of repairs: Are issues with your HVAC system starting to result in repairs that cost more than 50 percent of the price of a new unit? If so, it’s probably a good time to look into a full system replacement to save yourself both money and headaches from additional repairs down the line.
Performance of your current system: Does your unit make unusual noises more often than not? Do you notice that the air often feels dry or moist? Or maybe you find yourself frequently altering the temperature on your thermostat to maintain the appropriate level of heat or air. If you’ve been consistently experiencing one or more of these problems, a full replacement may be in order, as there may be damage to the ducts or insulation that no longer works properly.
Increased cost of energy bills: Steady increases in your energy bills, especially over a period of time, could mean that your equipment has ceased to work as well as it should. Talk to an HVAC professional to find out whether a replacement for your system is the way to go.
Age of your heating or cooling system: Furnaces tend to last between 15 and 20 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can function for about 10 to 12 years. If any of your equipment is on the higher end of those ranges, it’s likely time to contemplate a replacement.
Issues with your boiler’s exchanger: If you have a gas boiler, damage to its exchanger is a sign that you’ll need to replace the boiler. The exchanger is the part of your boiler that holds water, so you’ll be able to determine if the exchanger has become cracked because you’ll notice water on the floor underneath the boiler. In addition, if your business has experienced excessive flooding, your boiler may have also become damaged by water surrounding the exterior of the appliance. Another sign of a boiler in need of replacement is large amounts of rust that may have developed on the bottom of the unit.
Problems with the evaporator coil: If an HVAC technician tells you that your system’s evaporator coil is leaking in multiple spots or is extremely corroded, these issues are significant enough that you’ll want to replace the unit.
After reading through this list, is it time to replace your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR? Or maybe you determined that a repair is the most logical solution to the issue you’re experiencing.
Whether you’re in need of a repair or a replacement or want to talk with an expert in more detail, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today. We look forward to getting your heating or cooling system up and running!
If it’s your first time purchasing a commercial ice machine, or you haven’t bought one in a long time, you might find it useful to learn some helpful tips about how to determine the right product for your needs.
Then, if you find that you require ice machine repair in Eugene, OR, contact the skilled team at American Refrigeration Inc. We’ll provide you with the best possible service at a competitive rate.
Before you worry about potential repairs, though, here are some factors to consider during your decision-making process:
Ice output and production rate: This is the most important factor to consider when purchasing a commercial ice machine. You don’t want to end up with a piece of equipment that doesn’t produce enough ice to meet the demands of your business, so think through how much ice you need before you make a purchase.
Available space: How much space will you have for your new ice machine to function to its fullest capacity? Take measurements as part of your decision-making process, and be sure to allow for additional space on the top, bottom and sides of the machine. If you don’t have a lot of space or want a more versatile option, consider an upright model, which will require less room and may offer more flexible placement locations.
Electricity requirements: A commercial ice machine with a small output will likely require only the capacity for a 110V or 115V hookup, plus a water line. On the other hand, if you know that you will need a commercial ice machine with a higher output, you’ll likely require a 220V hookup and may have other specific electrical needs. Know what your electricity requirements are before hand so that you don’t find yourself scrambling to make electrical changes to your facility after ordering your equipment.
Type of ice produced: Do you have a preference for the type of ice that your new ice machine will produce for your customers? Ice can come in cubes, partial cubes, crushed flakes or a variety of other consistencies. While cube ice and nugget ice are the types you likely want if beverages are your primary reason for needing to produce ice, you’ll want to think about the style of ice that makes the most sense for your business if you’ll be using ice in multiple ways.
Filtered water preference: Some commercial ice machines come equipped with water filters. If you live in an area with hard water, it may be a logical decision to purchase an ice machine with a water filter, as without a water filter, impurities that can enter the ice machine or form inside may result in a shorter product life for your new purchase.
Now that you’re up to speed on what kind of questions to ask yourself when purchasing a commercial ice machine, it’s helpful to know where to turn for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR if your equipment malfunctions. The technicians at American Refrigeration Inc. offer high-quality commercial equipment repair and bring a wealth of knowledge to help keep your new purchase running as smoothly as possible. For any questions or for repair needs, contact us today.
Whether you own or lease your commercial building, you need to take it upon yourself to ensure your cooling and heating system is working properly. Not only do your customers, clients and employees depend on their environment remaining comfortable all year long, but so does the condition of the interior of your building and its contents—especially perishable products like food. Regular maintenance can reduce energy bills and usage, while also saving you from having to pay for expensive system repairs. So, whether you have an old building or a newer structure, there are important things that should be done to your heating system in preparation for cooler temperatures.
With that in mind, here are five crucial maintenance items to get your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR ready for the cold winter months:
Check the building’s thermostat: First, there are a few signs that point to the need for a new thermostat device. If it’s an older model, it may not function well with your heating system; should the temperature reading displayed on the thermostat screen not match the indoor temperature, there could be a mechanical issue. Because an accurate thermostat is truly a money and energy saver, take a close look at it at the start of each new season.
Change all system filters: A big part of regular commercial HVAC maintenance is changing the filters—how often you do so will depend on the size of your building, amount of use and indoor air quality. Although clean heater system air filters are necessary for proper airflow throughout your building, you must also take into account the quality of the filters. Can they remove air pollutants like mold spores, pollen and dust? How long will they last? If filters are damaged or dirty, they are liable to cause the heating system to overwork.
Clean the ductwork: When the HVAC is on, warm or cool air is transported through the building’s ductwork. But over time, ducts collect dirt, dust and other airborne particles inside them that can get dispersed to rooms within your building. Regular duct inspections and cleanings can preserve the indoor air quality, as well as see to it that ducts are free of damage.
Inspect for leaks: There’s more than one way for air leaks to appear. Leaks can be due to the age of the building, holes in ductwork or busted weather seals around doors and windows. Fixing air leak issues makes your building more comfortable to be in, and the heating unit will run more efficiently.
Get a furnace tune-up: Since you want you to use your heating system come winter, it’s important that you have your furnace inspected in advance of the cooler months. If there are problems, then they can be dealt with early. Also, kick on the building’s heater for a test run—listen for strange sounds, smell for odd odors and make sure it’s actually heating up.
The key to maintaining a comfortable indoor environment this winter is to ensure your heating system is up to par. To schedule an appointment to have your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR looked at, or for system and equipment repairs, don’t hesitate to contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. today.
You may not need a huge walk-in wine refrigerator or a massive wine vault for your dining establishment, but it’s a good investment to have a decent sized cooler to preserve the taste and quality of what’s offered on your wine list. After all, though bottled, wine needs storing at the right temperatures before being served. But none of this can happen when a wine chiller is not maintained properly or inspected on a regular basis. From cleaning the inside of the refrigeration unit to checking all electrical components, don’t put off important preventative maintenance—do it yourself or hire a pro.
If you are like most people, you want to avoid needing restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips to keep your business’s wine cooler running efficiently.
Place it in an ideal location
The first thing you want to take into consideration is the placement of the wine refrigerator’s ventilation system. Units with front ventilation can slip under counters just fine, or you can even custom-build them into your bar’s or kitchen’s cabinetry or shelving. Wine coolers without front ventilation should not be placed in confined spaces, unless there are at least a few inches of breathing room on each side. Alternatively, leave front or side vented wine refrigerators standing on their own, as long as ventilation grates are not hindered.
A word of caution: To protect your wine from high temperatures that will ruin your product, keep wine coolers away from direct sunlight and sources of heat, like stoves and other large appliances.
Don’t overload with bottles
Bottle shape plays a role in whether you can chill six oversized bottles of sparkling wine per rack or eight regular shaped chardonnays and still be able to have organized rows. Professional grade wine refrigerators are typically made to hold standard size bottles of wine (that’s 750 ml per bottle). Consider this: not only does overloading your wine fridge run the risk of bottles falling out and an overworked refrigerator, it also won’t chill your wine to the proper drinking temperature. This can lead to spoilage.
If your restaurant or bar serves a variety of wine in different bottle shapes and sizes, then it’s best to purchase a large capacity wine cooler to accommodate your wine selection.
Keep it clean
Hands down, cleaning your wine refrigeration unit will ensure that it performs as it should. While wiping it down, take the opportunity to inspect for frost buildup on the inside, as well as moisture pooling around or inside of the cooling unit. Always remove bottles and shelves and unplug it from its power source before a cleaning. Clean it so you don’t have to spend money on restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR every month, especially repairs that are easily avoided with occasional cleanings.
At American Refrigeration Inc., we are here to help with all your needs for restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR. This includes, but is not limited to, repairs to specialty equipment like custom wine vaults, walk-in coolers and reach-in coolers. Call us today!
