Tips For Organizing a Commercial Fridge or Freezer
Organizing a commercial fridge or freezer can be a daunting task, especially when you are handling a busy kitchen or retail environment. However, a well-organized fridge or freezer is crucial for maintaining food safety and efficiency. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for organizing a commercial fridge or freezer.
1. Keep Categories of Food Separate
One of the essential things that you need to do when organizing a commercial fridge or freezer is to keep the categories of food separate. For example, you should keep raw meats separately from cooked meats and seafood to prevent cross-contamination. Similarly, you should store dairy products away from meat products.
To make it easier to keep food categories separate, you can assign zones or areas within the fridge or freezer according to food type. For example, you can assign one storage area to produce, another area to meats and poultry, and so on. Labeling shelves or sections can also be a helpful way to make sure everyone knows where things go.
2. Label and Date Everything
Labeling and dating everything in the fridge or freezer is crucial for keeping track of inventory and for food safety. When labeling bottles and containers, include the date of the product and use-by dates. You should then store products with the earliest use-by dates at the front of the fridge or freezer, so they are used before expiry.
Using labeling software can help make the labeling process more efficient and make checking the product dates easier. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to food safety, so don’t hesitate to throw things away if they’re expired.
3. Use Proper Storage Containers
Proper storage containers are crucial for maintaining food safety and preventing spoilage. Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal for storing dry ingredients or wet ingredients that should stay dry, like prepped fruits or vegetables. Glass or metal are great options for anything acidic (like citrus) or for hot ingredients.
Vacuum-sealed bags or containers with an airtight seal are a great option for storing marinated meat or other items that need to be packed tightly. You can also use plastic wrap to seal items like deli meats or cheeses.
4. Use Racks and Shelving
Using racks and shelving in the commercial fridge or freezer can maximize storage space and make it easier to organize items. Racks keep food off the ground and away from spills, while shelves can help maximize space.
The types of shelving you use will depend on the type of products you store. Wire racks or perforated metal shelves are best for allowing air to circulate, which helps keep produce fresh. Solid shelves are great for baking sheets or other flat items.
5. Schedule Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning of the commercial fridge or freezer is essential for maintaining food safety and hygiene. Regularly clean and sanitize shelving, racks, and storage containers. Use a diluted bleach solution to sanitize, and regularly wipe down exterior surfaces with a commercial disinfectant cleaner.
Taking regular inventory of your perishable items and regularly throwing away anything that has expired is also part of the regular cleaning process. Make sure any spills are cleaned up immediately so as not to set a foul odor or attract pests.
Final Thoughts
Organizing a commercial fridge or freezer can be a challenge, but it is crucial for maintaining food safety and efficiency. You can follow the above tips to keep your commercial fridge or freezer organized and safe for your operation. Remember to keep categories of food separate, label, and date everything, use proper storage containers, use racks and shelving, and schedule regular cleaning. With these steps, you can maintain a safe and organized refrigerator or freezer in your commercial kitchen or retail environment.
When To Call A Commercial Freezer Repair Technician
A commercial freezer is an essential part of any restaurant, liquor store, or convenience store. When it malfunctions, you can lose valuable inventory and customers. To keep your equipment working well, you need to schedule regular maintenance checks. When a technician visits your facility, they can spot problems before they occur.
Ice Buildup
When it comes to commercial freezers, ice and frost buildup can be a serious problem. This buildup is a sign that your defrost cycle isn’t working properly. In addition to affecting food safety, excess moisture can also damage the interior of the freezer. Fortunately, most of these issues can be addressed by a professional technician who can fix them before they become larger problems. The sooner a problem is recognized, the better.
Inconsistent Temperature
Your food retail business relies on the ability of your commercial freezer to maintain a consistent temperature. If your commercial freezer can’t hold a steady temperature, this could be an indication that it needs repair. It may also be a sign that it’s time to upgrade to a newer, more efficient model. Inconsistent temperatures can also be caused by damaged seals or gaskets. When these seals are worn or broken, they allow cold air to escape. This can lead to the thawing of your food and a spike in your energy costs. A professional repair technician can help you determine if this is an issue that needs to be addressed right away. If the problem isn’t addressed, it can cause food to spoil or become contaminated, causing health concerns for you and your customers.
Water Leaks
When you see puddles on the floor around your freezer, it is a good sign that your seals are wearing out. You also want to take a closer look at the doors. If you are able to open the door with your fingers, this is a sign that your motor is not working as well as it used to. While this is not a particularly costly repair, it can make your fridge less efficient and potentially unsafe for your employees or customers. You might want to consider a maintenance contract as it can save you money down the road. That being said, when your commercial freezer is in need of repair, you want to call a technician who can do the job right the first time. After all, a small issue that goes unrepaired could lead to a much bigger problem.
Many commercial businesses, such as restaurants, grocery stores and other food-related companies, depend on commercial refrigerators to keep inventory cool. These fridges can account for anywhere from 25% to 60% of a business’s energy consumption costs. One of the biggest ways that business owners can save on their electricity bills is to make sure their refrigerators are as energy efficient as possible. This not only reduces the overall cost of running the refrigerator, but also helps to cut down on energy usage in other areas of your business. To achieve the best efficiency, restaurant and foodservice operators should make it a priority to maintain and inspect all of the components of their refrigeration units. This includes the compressor, condenser, evaporator coils and air filter. If any of these components look clogged with dust or ice, make sure your team cleans them regularly.
Longevity
Longevity is the name of the game when it comes to commercial refrigeration. Keeping your equipment in good working condition will not only save you time and money on repairs, but it may also increase your customer retention. For example, a reach-in cooler with a top mounted compressor will have a much longer life than a model that’s not properly maintained. That’s because it will have to work harder to cool the air in front of it, resulting in better performance and lower energy costs. It’s also a good idea to choose the highest quality components for your unit. The best refrigerators come with an industry-leading warranty, so you can rest assured that your investment will last for years to come. In fact, your new unit might be the most important purchase you’ll ever make for your company!
Convenience
Commercial refrigeration is available in all shapes, sizes, and types to meet your specific needs. From quick access undercounter units to room sized walk-in coolers, there’s a solution for every business. Convenience really is the key to a successful business, and commercial refrigeration can make it easier for you to provide the best products and services to your customers. Use market research to understand your customers and their needs and preferences, then make sure that you deliver what they want.
Access to ice is very important in various industries, particularly restaurants and hospitality. As you will need access to a lot of ice, using a commercial ice machine is often ideal as it can create larger batches of ice more efficiently. If you do have your own ice machine, it is very important that you are able to keep it clean. When you are wondering how to properly clean a commercial ice machine, various tips should be followed.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
When you are going to clean your ice machine, it is essential to ensure that you have access to all of the supplies that you need. Some items you will need for your ice machine include a new water filter, cleaning gloves and goggles, cleaning agents, towels, and sanitizing solutions.
Empty Out the Machine
When you are going to clean the ice machine, you must empty out all of the ice. Before you start, you should ensure the ice machine is unplugged from the wall for safety. When you want to get rid of all the ice, this will need to be done by hand using an appropriate ice scooper. Once this is done, you should drain out any remaining water and wipe down the interior by hand to make sure it is completely dry.
Clean Interior and Parts
Once the ice machine has been drained, you will want to clean the interior. This will include spraying the interior with proper cleaning agents, cleaning off the mechanical parts by hand, and ensuring that all parts of it are properly disinfected. When this is done, you should rinse the entire machine with water and allow it to drain again. Once this is done, the ice machine can be plugged in and reconnected to any water supply. As it can take a while for the ice machine to produce ice again, you should make sure that you clean the machine with plenty of lead time before you need to have ice again.
If you have any type of ice machine at your restaurant or another place of business, being able to keep it clean is important. Having clean ice can ensure that your customers are drinking safe beverages and that you comply with all requirements of food safety laws. By following these tips, you will be able to properly keep your ice machine clean at all times.
Another great option would be to call the team with American Refrigeration Inc. The professionals with American Refrigeration Inc can offer all of your ice machine maintenance and repair service needs, including a full cleaning service to keep your machine in great working order.
Are your commercial refrigerators or freezers holding food at appropriate temperatures? If you don’t store food at the right temperature, it could enter the danger zone and potentially contain foodborne pathogens.
Reach-in refrigerator installation and food-safe temperatures
The purpose of commercial refrigerator installation is to provide a space to keep foods at cooler temperatures to slow down the growth of bacteria. They’re ideal for perishable foods like produce and cooked meats.
The average operating temperature for a commercial refrigerator (whether reach-in or walk-in) should stay between 35°F and 38°F. If temperatures fall below this range, you run the risk of freezing food that shouldn’t be frozen, like milk or dairy products. If temperatures reach above this range, the food could enter the danger zone, i.e., a temperature range between 40°F and 140°F where dangerous bacteria, including campylobacter, E. coli, salmonella enteritidis and staphylococcus aureus, multiply incredibly quickly.
You should never let food linger in this temperature range, since the food could spoil and cause foodborne illness. This applies to leftover food, too, since bacteria still grows on food even after it’s cooked.
You and any employees working at your business need to monitor temperatures regularly to ensure food never enters the danger zone in terms of temperature. Always shut the door to the unit when you’re not using it, since this leads to instant cooling loss.
Keep in mind that the bigger the refrigeration unit you have, the longer it takes to stabilize temperatures. If you’re planning to adjust the temperature of the unit, wait a full day, and check for an appropriate temperature before storing food inside.
Walk-in freezer installation and food-safe temperatures
Unlike a commercial refrigerator, which only slows the growth of bacteria, a commercial freezer is meant to halt the growth of bacteria completely. Different types of freezers should be set at different temperatures, and your installation technician will be sure to discuss safe operating temperatures with you. Here are the general guidelines:
Reach-in freezers: Between -10°F and 5°F
Walk-in freezers: Between -10°F and 0°F
Ice cream freezers: Between -20°F and -10°F
The wrong temperatures impact food safety for frozen foods, too. You also need to account for food quality by preventing freezer burn. Freezer-burned foods lose their color, aroma, flavor and even texture—it’s completely unappetizing. Freezer burn occurs when food is exposed to too much frost or air as it sits in the freezer. Make sure you’re properly storing your food and that your freezer is running efficiently; otherwise, you run the risk of turning your inventory into wasted profit potential. Keep the freezer door closed, and you’ll avoid temperature fluctuations that can spoil food.
Want to know more about commercial refrigerator or walk-in freezer installation? If your current unit isn’t performing as well as it should, contact American Refrigeration Inc today. We’re the top choice for commercial refrigeration installation and repair, ensuring worry-free operation and protecting your inventory.
Tips For Organizing a Commercial Fridge or Freezer