Many commercial businesses, like restaurants, pubs and cafeterias, depend on ice to provide their patrons with safe and enjoyable service. Without ice, there would be no way to keep customers’ drinks cold on a hot summer day or to preserve food that needs to be kept cold for health purposes. If something is wrong with your business’ ice machine, it’s better to spot it early than to wait and be out of business for a few days. The following are several warning signs that you need ice machine repair in Eugene, OR:
It’s become noisy: If you own a large ice machine, it’s going to produce some noise and at times be fairly loud. However, if the sound becomes different or unusual, you may want to call a technician to evaluate your machine. When operating sounds become abnormal, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. It’s better to fix issues quickly. The longer you ignore it, the worse it can become.
It doesn’t make ice: This is a pretty clear sign something is wrong. This may mean the machine needs cleaning, repairing of certain parts or that you may need to get an entirely new machine. Oftentimes this is caused by loose or frayed wires, so no ice can be an indicator of an electrical problem. Check the circuit breaker. If you can’t fix it that way, play it safe and call a professional.
It leaks: This is probably the most common problem when it comes to commercial ice machines. Look out for puddles of water around the ice machine or big chunks of ice being produced. A leak can be caused by a broken water line in the unit or a component that is leaking internally. Whether it’s a big or small leak, it’s a problem. Call a professional to take a look before someone slips and falls on those big puddles of water.
It takes a while to make ice: If the ice isn’t being produced as fast as it used to, that’s a red flag. A slower production rate is usually caused by one of two things, either warm water or low water flow. When the water is too warm, the machine won’t produce enough ice, at least not as quickly as you would like. A low water flow also means the production rate will slow down. It may be a simple fix, like unplugging a clog in the water filter, but it’s always in your company’s best interest to have a professional come check it out.
The ice tastes odd: This should never be a problem, especially if you’re serving ice to your customers. If the ice tastes strange, it’s probably because there’s a dirt or mold issue, or something even worse within the ice machine. It’s vital that you contact a technician if your ice starts to taste abnormal. Don’t risk the safety of your customers.
Your ice machine should always be inspected at least once or twice a year. Outside of those checks, if any of these signs start to occur, look for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR. You can contact American Refrigeration Inc. for all of your ice machine needs.
When you’re running your own business or you work for a business, you most likely don’t have the time or the budget to deal with buying a new heating and cooling system. However, a functioning HVAC system is necessary for the comfort of you, your employees and your customers. Having your heating and cooling system checked once or twice a year will save you time, money and effort. The sooner you know about potential issues, the sooner you can prepare to resolve them – and resolve them quickly.
The following are several benefits of commercial HVAC repairs in Eugene, OR:
Boost safety
Receiving timely repairs are a sure way to know that everything in your heating and cooling system is working properly. If left ignored, the system can be overtaken by mold, mildew and dirt. Once these items blow through the system, they can cause major respiratory problems for your co-workers, employees or patrons, which can mean more sick days and health risks for customers. Filter changes and cleaning the system’s coils will prevent that. In addition, regular repairs can decrease fire hazards or the risk of having deadly carbon monoxide in the air. Keep your staff safe and repair your HVAC system regularly.
Lower utility costs
Working within your budget is always a good thing in the business world. Regular repairs – although they may seem unnecessary or costly at the time – can end up saving you lots of money in the long-run. When you have a professional working on your heating and cooling system, he or she will help it run more efficiently, meaning not as much energy will be used to heat and cool your location. This can lead to decreased utilities bills.
If you have regular repairs on your HVAC system and your energy bills are still high, it may be because your business lacks proper insulation. The first step in diagnosing and solving the problem is to get an HVAC professional to scope out the issue.
Increase longevity
The more often you do repairs on your business’ system, the less often you have to replace your HVAC unit. Replacing the system can be a huge hassle, and waste money, time and effort of your staff. Having regular repairs done by a professional can prevent all of that by keeping your system in great shape. A good, healthy unit can sometimes last 10 years.
Repairing your appliances when it’s needed is important because if one part fails, the rest may quickly follow suit. It’s better to know early when repairs are needed. In addition, a dirty unit has to often work harder to heat and cool your space. This leads to frequent repairs and more money being spent on bills. Regular repairs or check-ups can also keep you up-to-date on your upgrades and help you stay within the limitations of your warranty, saving you from unnecessary stress.
There are many reasons why commercial HVAC repairs should be done regularly and as soon as a problem arises. Get your money’s worth and schedule regular commercial HVAC repairs in Eugene, OR by calling American Refrigeration Inc.
Your day-to-day business relies on proper refrigeration. If your commercial cooler quits, you can face significant losses. Because your commercial coolers are essential to the safety and success of your restaurant, it is important to be familiar with signs of a malfunctioning unit in order to know when to call for repairs.
If your cooler exhibits any of the following issues, don’t hesitate, seek commercial cooler repair in Eugene, OR right away to save yourself from a cooler disaster.
High humidity inside the cooler: This is a sign that your cooler unit’s door gaskets may be worn out. This is a common issue that develops over time as a cooler ages. Worn gaskets allow air into and out of the cooler, resulting in water on the floor and high humidity within the cooler space. Not only can this be slippery and dangerous, it can also spoil any products you have in your cooler.
Door doesn’t always close: If you’re noticing that the door on your cooler doesn’t always stay shut, it’s typically a sign that it has a worn closure assist. This results in a partially open door or a door that won’t remain closed. When this happens, the cooler must work harder to keep contents cooled, shortening the lifespan of the unit. It can also result in spoiled cooler contents if a door is left open too long and the temperature rises.
Ice build-up or leaks: When ice starts to appear, it is a sign of a failed heater strip. Without a working heater strip, ice can build up around the frame of the unit. Additionally, if you notice water leaking from the cooler’s seams it is not a good sign. Leaking water may be due to poor installation or the old age of the cooler. Not only may your cooler be working improperly, leaks can also create slippery surfaces that pose health hazards to you and employees.
Improper air flow: If your unit has frozen coils, the evaporator may be clogged with dirt or other debris. It is important to restore proper air flow to the evaporator, as this part performs the cooling function. This could also be a sign of low refrigerant level. Always seek professional assistance to adjust refrigerant levels.
Condensation: If “sweat” forms on the outside of the cooler, something is amiss. Damaged or worn seals, gaskets or door closure mechanisms could all be to blame. Left unchecked, the problem will only worsen and result in spoiled goods and further damage to the unit.
Noise: Strange noises accompanying the usual steady hum of your unit’s operation are an indication that your compressor or exhaust fan are in trouble. If the compressor goes out, you may have to replace the entire unit. If you hear unusual noises, have your unit checked by a professional right away.
Commercial coolers require specialized knowledge beyond regular refrigerator repair. If you experience any of the above issues, contact a professional service for commercial cooler repair in Eugene, OR. To learn more about how commercial cooler technicians can support your refrigeration needs, contact the experts at American Refrigeration Inc. today.
To continue providing excellent service and delicious meals to your patrons, you must have properly working equipment. A key component of your equipment operations is refrigeration. What would happen if your commercial refrigerator stopped working? This could spell disaster. To avoid this stressful issue, make it a habit to get routine service for your refrigerator units. Regular maintenance will help you avoid restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR.
For proper commercial cooler maintenance, consider scheduling the following services on a regular basis:
Door maintenance
This is an area often overlooked by restaurant owners. Because the door has no electrical parts, they often assume it needs no maintenance. This is not true. The gaskets, hinges, and hardware greatly affect the operation of your cooler. If not sealed properly, faulty doors can cause leaks, spoilage and further damage to your unit. Checking these parts and replacing as needed will extend the life of the unit and protect you from further repairs.
Ice machine cleaning
You can’t judge your ice machine’s quality by its ice. The ice may look fine, but this doesn’t mean that the inside of the machine is functioning properly. If not cleaned regularly, mold can develop in the ice machine, which can create sick patrons. It’s important to schedule a routine service check to ensure a technician thoroughly inspects and cleans your ice machine with chemical sanitizers. This protects from mold growth and ensures your restaurant operations continue to run smoothly.
Maintain appropriate refrigerant levels
If your unit is leaking refrigerant, it may go unnoticed for some time. The temperature in your refrigerator can slowly rise, and before you know it, you have spoiled goods. Scheduling regular maintenance for your unit allows a technician to check its levels, recharge the refrigerant if needed and fix any leaks.
Condenser cleaning
The condenser and evaporator coils are what keep your refrigeration unit cool. They are essential components of your refrigerator. If these parts become clogged with dirt, the refrigerator must work harder to cool its contents. This, in turn, wastes energy and creates a shorter life-span for your unit. When you schedule regular maintenance, professionals use specialized cleaners and equipment to ensure all grease and dirt build-up are carefully removed without causing damage to the compressor or the motor.
Leak checks
Not only can leaks create water hazards outside the unit, they can cause food contamination inside the cooler. Leaks are a sign of improper functioning within the refrigerator and should be addressed as quickly as possible. If left unchecked, the problem will only grow and could mean the end of your unit. Regular maintenance will ensure leaks are caught early and any necessary repairs are made before the issue worsens.
Professional maintenance of your restaurant refrigeration units requires some investment, but will produce long-term savings of both your time and your money. By keeping your refrigerators clean, completing small repairs before they grow and having them inspected regularly for potential problems, you will avoid more costly and time-consuming repairs down the road. Contact American Refrigeration Inc. today to set up a schedule for your maintenance or restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR.
It’s common knowledge that few things taste better than a crisp, ice-cold beer on a hot day. But just how cold should that beer be? It all depends on style and quality, which means that if you are serving all your different beers at the same temperature, you might not be giving your customers the full drinking experience.
While beer chilling is not as complex as wine chilling, there are a few rules you can follow to get the very best flavor from your beers, whether they are poured from a draught handle or sipped out of a can. Here is a rundown of some of those rules, from your team for restaurant equipment repair Eugene, OR:
Quality: If all you serve is basic, inexpensive domestic beer, then you may as well keep serving it ice cold, meaning colder than 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that the colder a beer gets, the less carbonation is emitted, meaning that there is less flavor involved. For beers that don’t have flavor as a main selling point, that’s fine—but for everything else, follow the next few tips.
Lagers: These days, premium lagers are a whole lot more special and flavorful than classic “lawnmower” beer, and they should be treated as such. That means you ought to serve lagers at somewhere between 44 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit, if possible—cold enough to be refreshing, but not so cold that you cannot pick up on any subtle flavor.
Ales: Ales go through a different brewing process than lagers, and will often have a bit more flavor than their lager counterparts. To ensure your customers can enjoy their ales to the fullest, try serving them somewhere between 44 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stouts: Stouts are a bit of an anomaly in the beer world, as they are more about being rich and dark, rather than crisp and refreshing. Authentic British stouts tend to be best when a bit warmer than a typical ale or lager, but you probably do not want to go much warmer than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is traditional British cellar temperature.
High gravity beers: High gravity beers are those big, bold, high-alcohol content beers that are often acquired tastes—think barrel aged stouts, barley wines and strong ales, to name a few. Because these beers tend to resemble hard alcohol a bit more than other beers, they are often served not cold, perhaps even close to room temperature. When serving a high gravity beer, act as if you are serving someone a snifter of brandy.
Experiment: While these are good general guidelines, each beer is different, which means that you should feel free to experiment with what tastes good to you. The more familiar you can become with the beers you serve, the more confident in your selection your customers will become.
For more advice about beer chilling, please get in touch with American Refrigeration Inc, your trusted source for restaurant equipment repair in Eugene, OR, including coolers and freezers.
