With spring having finally sprung, you have probably started to think about some of the spring cleaning tasks you should perform at your business. Don’t forget to give all of your commercial refrigeration units, including freezers and ice machines, a good cleaning! Ice machines in particular tend to get forgotten during cleaning sprees, but it’s important to realize that it can be hazardous to people’s health to continue using ice machines that are dirty.
Here are just a few tips from our commercial refrigeration service in Eugene, OR to help you keep your ice machine clean and in good condition for the rest of the season and beyond:
Clean out the ice cooler: This is a task you should perform every week. If you keep up with cleaning the cooler, you’ll not only have ice cubes that come out in a uniform shape over and over again, but you’ll also avoid unpleasant odors that may develop in the system. Plus, if you do not clean the machine regularly, you risk it shutting down by itself.
Check the temperature: You should make sure you keep your ice machine in a cool location so it doesn’t have to expend more energy than necessary to make ice. You’ll find that not only will you save a whole lot of money on utility bills if you don’t have to keep the machine running constantly, but it’ll also produce much better, more consistent ice cubes.
Regularly replace the water filters: You should change out the water filters in your ice machine at least once every six months, if not more often than that. This will greatly improve the quality of ice your machine makes, as well as the speed with which your machine produces that ice. Leaving dirty filters in place makes the machine work harder and less efficiently, and can also result in the flavors of the debris caught in the filter seeping into the ice produced by the machine.
Check for slime: It may sound gross, but it’s true—ice machines can develop a brown slime inside of them. This generally arises as a result of specific types of yeast, such as airborne yeasts, brewing yeasts, baking yeasts and yeasts found in beer. You should be sure to consult the manual provided by your ice machine manufacturer for more information about cleaning out and preventing this sludge from developing.
Clean the condenser coils: Condenser coils tend to get ignored, but the dirtier they get, the harder it forces your ice machine to work and the slower the production of ice will become. You’d likely be amazed at how much debris and grease can form on these coils over time.
Your best course of action is to maintain a regular schedule of professional ice machine cleanings. For more information about putting together such a schedule, we encourage you to contact our commercial refrigeration service in Eugene, OR, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. Get in touch with American Refrigeration Inc. today to learn more!
Businesses across various industries rely on commercial refrigeration equipment to support their operations, and this equipment requires regular service, maintenance and repairs to keep it working effectively. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses neglect commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR and end up with systems that have suboptimal efficiency, poor performance and reduced longevity. The good news is that you can keep your refrigeration equipment in great shape for years to come by partnering with a commercial refrigeration company.
Why you should hire a commercial refrigeration company
Working with a commercial refrigeration company is essential if you want to get the most out of your refrigeration equipment. You should establish a relationship with a commercial refrigeration company before anything major goes wrong with your equipment. A commercial refrigeration company can provide you with regular service and maintenance that will benefit you in several important ways:
Increased longevity: Commercial refrigeration equipment is expensive to repair and replace, and you want to avoid these costs for as long as possible. Instead of springing for a major repair or a brand-new system, simply invest in regular commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR. You can boost the longevity of your system significantly with regular maintenance from a professional technician, and this can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
Safety: If you’re a relatively handy person, you might think that you can handle some aspects of service or maintenance for your commercial refrigeration equipment on your own. Unfortunately, a lot of people who attempt to do these services themselves wind up getting hurt by the complex electrical and mechanical systems in refrigeration equipment. A professional has the training and experience necessary to complete repairs safely without major complications and difficulties.
Improved performance and efficiency: Having regular service and maintenance appointments with a professional can help you ensure that your equipment is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. Regular maintenance can make a huge difference when it comes to the performance of your system and its efficiency. During routine maintenance, a technician will inspect your system components, clean some parts and filters and ensure that all of the parts are still in working order. Even a basic tune-up can make a huge difference in the quality of your system’s operation.
Proactive repairs: A professional who specializes in commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR will be able to identify small issues that require repairs before they become major problems. By handling these issues proactively, you can avoid more expensive and more time-consuming repairs and keep your system operating the way it should.
Schedule commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR
If you’re interested in finding out more about commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. For decades, our team of professionals has been proud to provide comprehensive commercial refrigeration services in Eugene, OR. Regardless of what your specific needs or concerns may be, our team is ready to assist you. If you have a specific concern with your refrigeration equipment or you want to get started with a routine maintenance appointment, give our team a call for more information.
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.
