All food service establishments must maintain certain standards of cleanliness. Part of this comes through regularly cleaning your commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR.
Over time, it’s easy to build up collections of foods that are long past their expiration date, especially if your coolers aren’t particularly organized. The longer these foods hang around in your refrigerator, the more they can become a safety hazard, in that they harbor bacteria. This is especially true if any old food spills out into the refrigerator and does not get wiped up right away.
Here are a few steps to take to help you clean and organize your fridge to ensure you maintain the best standards of cleanliness possible in your restaurant or other commercial operation:
Always unplug the unit first: You should never start cleaning with the unit still on. Eliminate the possibility of electrocution by unplugging the refrigerator before you get to work.
Empty every shelf and drawer: Take everything out and put it in coolers with ice or other cold containers where the food will be safe during your cooling process. The best time to do this is right before you receive a new shipment of food, so your fridge is as clear as it’s going to get. Throw away anything that’s expired or has otherwise gone bad—even if it’s not clearly past its expiration date, you should get rid of it if you have any reason to suspect they’re compromised. Your motto should be “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Wipe down the entire interior: Using a mixture of warm water and soap, take a sponge and thoroughly clean the inside of your refrigerator. You can also use microfiber mitts or cloths to scrub down the hard-to-reach spaces without worrying about leaving behind any debris. Toothbrushes can also be of assistance in tight corners—the bristles are just flexible and strong enough to do the trick. Once you’ve finished scrubbing the entire interior of the refrigerator, rinse it out with clean water.
Disinfect: Once you’ve finished cleaning with soap and water, you should disinfect all the surfaces with a food-safe sanitizer. This will kill off any remaining bacteria or mold and will offer some additional protection for some time after you place your food items back inside the refrigerator. You don’t need to use as much sanitizer as you probably think you do—a little spread throughout the equipment should go a long way.
Clean other parts while you’re at it: Once you’ve finished the inside of the fridge, clean some of the other parts, including the condenser and coils, as well as the top, sides and underneath sections of the refrigerator or freezer.
Restock: Restock your items, but make sure you keep them organized so you don’t have to worry about items getting lost and going bad once again.
For more information about how you can better clean out your commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, contact the experts at American Refrigeration Inc. today.
Whether it’s in your home kitchen or in a commercial kitchen at a restaurant or cafeteria, your refrigerator is one of the most important appliances you have. You must keep it operating correctly to ensure all your food stays fresh.
Of course, like with any appliance, there are going to be occasional problems that arise. This doesn’t necessarily mean you immediately need to contract a refrigerator service professional—in fact, some of the most common refrigerator issues are ones you can resolve yourself.
Here are a few examples of some of those common problems you can fix without having to call a contractor who specializes in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
The refrigerator cycles too often
Refrigerators shouldn’t constantly run. Not only will this quickly become a nuisance when you’re in the kitchen because of the constant noise, but it will also lead to more expensive energy bills, as your refrigerator is one of the most power-intensive appliances you have in your kitchen. Plus, a refrigerator that constantly runs is much more likely to break down earlier.
Usually refrigerators that constantly cycle have buildups of dust or debris around the condenser coils. This is easy to fix. Cut off power to the refrigerator, then access the coils in the back. Remove the grill by popping off the snaps that keep it in place, and then use a vacuum cleaner to remove the majority of the buildup. If any remains after that, you can use a brush or cloth to remove it before putting the grill back on and restoring power.
If debris on the condenser coils isn’t a problem, there’s also a chance that you have set the refrigerator temperature too low. You should keep your setting between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The refrigerator is leaking water
If you notice water puddling underneath your refrigerator, don’t panic—the problem might not be extremely serious. One of the most common causes is a blocked defrost drain, so if this is the problem, all you need to do is clear the blockage. You can either flush the drain with warm water or use a pipe cleaner or coat hanger to remove a solid clog.
Other times, supply lines bringing water to the fridge can develop cracks or leaks, or could get frozen, which will result in water puddling underneath the fridge. If the water line itself is damaged, you can easily get a replacement. Otherwise, defrosting the line might solve the problem.
The freezer has an ice buildup
You shouldn’t have too much ice built up on the inside walls of the freezer. This might happen from leaving the freezer door open too long, in which case all you need to do is adjust your freezer-using habits. The door might also not be sealing, so you should first try cleaning the seal. The gasket could also be an issue, which would mean it would need to be replaced.
For more information about common problems with commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR and how you can solve them, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
When you think of leaks in the kitchen, you might expect them to come from the sink or the dishwasher. However, some refrigerators have icemakers or water dispensers, which means they could be to blame for water leaks in your kitchen.
The good news is that any leaks you see puddling underneath your refrigerator are going to be entirely water, as the coolant used in the appliance is a gas, not a liquid. However, you still need to take some immediate action to address the leak before you do any significant damage to your appliance or flooring.
Here is some information from a company specializing in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR about what to do if your fridge is leaking.
Check the defrost drain
A blocked defrost drain could be the cause of leaks coming from your refrigerator. This should be the first spot in the appliance that you check out and attempt troubleshooting. Food particles or ice can jam up the area where the drain opens up, which will prevent water from the defrost cycle draining down into the pan. If the water builds up to a certain extent, it will start leaking out of the refrigerator.
You can clean out the drain by flushing it with hot water. A stiff wire can be used to remove solid blockages if necessary.
Check the drain pan
Sometimes the drain pan at the very bottom of the refrigerator can be the source of the leak if it develops a crack or hole. While small amounts of water will occasionally accumulate inside the drain pan, that water should not escape the pan—the pan is designed to prevent it from leaking outside of the refrigerator. Instead, the water in the drain pan should evaporate before leaking, as the condenser fan consistently blows warm air across the surface.
Pull out the drain pan and check for any signs of cracking or damage. If the pan is damaged, it can easily be replaced.
Look at connections to the icemaker
Sometimes the water lines that connect to the icemaker can come loose from the machine, or the seals holding it in place can form cracks. When this happens, the water line will leak and cause pooling under or around the refrigerator. The hoses themselves could also crack or tear, or develop kinks that cause leaks to form.
If the supply line is the issue, there will probably be water running from that line down to the floor. You can either tighten the connections or replace the line entirely. Sometimes the connectors themselves need to be replaced as well.
Check the water filter
Improper connections between the water supply and water filter can cause leakage issues. The filter could be installed incorrectly, or it could be the wrong size or model for the appliance. Check the filter, and if this is the issue causing the leak, make the replacement.
For more information about how to address refrigerator leaks, contact a contractor who provides service for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
If you’re starting up a brewery or expanding your startup to pursue bigger and better production capabilities, you’re likely going to be making an investment in brewery equipment. And, when it comes to installing and integrating this equipment into your operations, it’s important to also invest in professional oversight—specifically the kind that comes from expertise with commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
Trusting a refrigeration expert is just about the best decision you can make for a number of reasons. Let’s take a look at five of them:
First and foremost, there’s a lot of heating and cooling that comes with the brewing process. From boiling the ingredients and working with the mash, to chilling and refrigerating the finished brew, temperature control is critical. Knowing that your heating and cooling components are set up flawlessly will lead to confidence while brewing.
Second, a refrigeration expert will be able to integrate new equipment into any existing setup you might have. This is vital for not interrupting your existing brewing process or capabilities. The last thing you want to do is take two steps forward and one step back! Seamless integration is important and it’s something a commercial HVAC expert can offer.
Facilities setup is a third important reason to trust an HVAC and cooling professional. Breweries are often cramped, busy places. Having your equipment set up to ensure mobility and efficiency is important. Working with a cooling expert who has brewery equipment installation experience means maximizing your facilities and, in turn, your production efficiency.
Thinking long-term, having an HVAC and cooling expert handle your installation is going to pave the way for maintenance and repairs in the future. If you’re able to work with the same company from the get-go, your equipment will get a higher standard of service through consistency. You won’t have to worry about patchwork maintenance or repairs when you rely on the same individual or company time after time.
Finally, troubleshooting oversight is going to be a big reason to work with an expert. There’s a lot that could go wrong when it comes to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR. Having a professional who knows your setup means being able to get to the bottom of trouble fast, before it impacts your production. Instead of getting bad batches that lower your fulfillment, you’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong quicker, minimizing downtime.
Brewery equipment demands a keen understanding when it comes to installation. Be sure you’re leaving the installation to a professional with time-tested experience. Not only will you get a better level of performance and integration right at the outset, you’ll also get long-term peace of mind.
Whether you’re scaling up your budding brewery or you’re kicking the tires on your first large-scale brewing operation, the team at American Refrigeration Inc. is ready to provide you with a complete scope of services, tailored around brewing equipment installation. We want to be your long-term partner for operational success—get in touch with us today!
There’s no doubt that owning any food or beverage establishment comes with extra responsibilities to ensure consumer health and safety. Important tasks include checking your ingredient storage area monthly for needed commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR and regularly cleaning distillery equipment. Regular maintenance is a crucial step in preventing the growth of bacteria that can lead to illnesses, bad tasting drinks, wasted products and equipment failure. Those in the beer and spirits production industry can attest to this.
Did you know that properly cleaning and sanitizing distillery equipment often goes overlooked? You may rinse and wipe down distillery components after each use, but sanitizing equipment is what will kill unwanted germs, bacteria and yeast.
With that in mind, here are some tips for maintaining your brewing and distillery equipment.
Implement a cleaning routine
Make sure to clean all brewing or distillery equipment parts after use. If you skip this step, you’re taking the chance of germs spreading through the entire system. Parts to clean include the brew kettle, mash paddle, fermenter, fermented lid, pump, hoses, hydrometer, airlock, thermometer, yeast containers and measuring spoons and cups. Always wear eye and hand protection when using cleaning solutions (your cleaning product will depend on what your equipment is made of). Some parts can be washed in an automatic dishwasher, but washing by hand ensures effectiveness and proper flushing.
Sanitize it all
Although cleaning and sanitizing sound like the same thing, they are not—especially when it comes to the food and beverage industry. To clean means to get rid of dirt, debris, stains and other matter, while to sanitize means to kill or greatly reduce spoiling microorganisms to minimal levels.
If you don’t get every area and surface on every piece of equipment, you run the risk of contaminating your next batch. Both cleaning and sanitizing your equipment—all of it, from the large kettle to the handheld measuring instruments—provides the best brewing or distilling conditions possible. Use chemical sanitizers manufactured specifically for sanitizing distillery equipment, and consider making a soaking bath for equipment you cannot reach inside to dissolve leftover ingredients. You should also schedule monthly and yearly maintenance appointments to avoid costly distillery equipment and commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR.
Applying heat is another step you can take in the sanitation process. Heat is good at blasting bacteria from your equipment; you may be able to use the high-heat drying cycle on your commercial dishwasher as the final step in the sanitation process. While metal does great in high temperatures, plastic components do not. Avoid putting plastic pieces in the high-heat cycle.
Clean and sanitize immediately
Yes, you’ve spent the last several hours in front of hot equipment making alcohol, but the time to clean up is right away. Waiting to clean and sanitize gives bacteria time to grow, and makes the mess tougher to remove.
Keep your distillery equipment healthy and clean for fresh batches of beer or spirits every time. Luckily, the team at American Refrigeration Inc. is here to help. Give us a call any time you need distillery equipment maintenance, parts repair or commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR!
