As providers of equipment for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, we have the privilege to work with a number of local wineries, servicing their unique commercial refrigeration needs. We’ve taken that knowledge and put together a short, simple guide explaining what a winery chiller is, and the role it plays in the process of making the wine you love to enjoy.
What is a winery chiller?
Winery chillers allow you to keep control over the temperature of your wine at every step of the process, most importantly during fermentation, and then during storage. Many winery chillers allow you to control the heat of each wine vessel independently, meaning you don’t need a separate setup to get your whites and reds to their own correct temperatures.
How does a winery chiller work?
It works the way all refrigeration systems do, by pumping cooled refrigerant through a closed loop. When you outfit your wine vessels with heat-exchanging jackets, the system then carries away heat from the wine to whatever specifications you set.
What happens if you don’t use a winery chiller?
All wine is made to very tight specifications, which have often been passed down for generations. Without the ability to precisely manage the temperature of the wine throughout the entire process, you’d simply be putting the wine’s profile at risk. And when you’ve built your reputation on a certain richness that comes from precise and loving attention to the winemaking process, you don’t want to risk that reputation by leaving things up to chance. When you control all other factors to such a degree, that allows the grape itself to be the star of the wine, as the only thing that changes from vintage to vintage is the flavor of the grape.
The regular change of temperature that occurs when wine is stored in unrefrigerated vessels causes the wine to absorb more of the flavor of its vessel, as the heat and cool cause expansion and contraction of the vessel, pushing the wine into its tiny pores, and then wringing it back out. This additional flavor is desirable in some wines, while highly undesirable in others.
Here at American Refrigeration Inc., we’re highly knowledgeable about the worlds of winemaking and beer brewing, and especially about their particular needs in regards to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR. We have to be—we’re from Oregon. If you’re looking for any component for your winery or brewery, from holding tanks, to refrigeration tanks, to wine presses and fermenters, give us a call. We also perform maintenance on these products and provide installation on the products we sell, as well.
We know that what wineries and breweries do is a multifaceted process, and that this means trouble can spring up when you least expect it. That being the case, we make it our effort to perform every repair and every installation with longevity in mind, so that your interruptions will be few and far between. This is just one of the ways we’ve made a name for ourselves meeting the unique commercial refrigeration needs of Oregon’s wineries and breweries. If you’re in the wine or beer business, give American Refrigeration Inc. a call for all your commercial refrigeration needs.
Reducing the energy costs of commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR can benefit everyone. If you’re the owner of a business that’s reliant on refrigeration, such as a restaurant or a grocery store, saving money on refrigeration equipment can actually represent pretty significant savings.
By following even just one of these tips, you’ll save money on the energy costs associated with your refrigeration equipment—and they’ll save you even more money when you combine them:
Maintain your machine: Keep its evaporator and condenser coils cleaned. Keep doors to your refrigerators maintained so that, when the doors are closed, they maintain a good seal.
Upgrade your machines: Add liquid pressure amplifiers to increase your system’s overall refrigeration capacity; floating head pressure controls which allow your systems to vary their more easily without wasting energy; upgrade to higher-efficiency fan motors and compressor systems, which can save you 15 percent on your commercial refrigeration costs; and upgrade your machine’s lighting fixtures to energy-efficient bulbs, which can actually save you as much as 10 percent, especially in reach-ins.
If possible, turn off door heaters: Just doing this can save a small restaurant $75 a year, and a grocery store much more. If your doors begin to get ice and frost buildup, and this is not caused by some problem with the door’s seal, turn the heaters back on and leave them on.
Insulate lines: Insulate your suction line, so your refrigerant loses less cool and absorbs less heat as it is moved from the evaporator. This is a very affordable way of adding additional efficiency to your machines.
Check refrigerant: If there is not enough refrigerant, your compressor is working overtime, which is costing you money. Look through the sight-glass window built into the condenser where you can see the refrigerant line. If it is insufficiently full, you’ll see bubbles in the line when the refrigerant is moving. If this is the case, call an HVAC contractor or refrigeration expert.
Purchase new equipment: Obviously we’d all prefer to just maintain the machines we have rather than make an investment in new equipment. But if you upgrade to Energy Star certified commercial refrigeration equipment, you’ll save 30 percent on your refrigeration costs, right away. For business that are heavily reliant on refrigeration equipment, this can represent enormous year over year savings—especially if your current equipment is on the way out, getting less and less efficient each year. The cost of new equipment can often be offset by rebates and vouchers, so it’s worth discussing these things with your refrigeration equipment retailer.
If you’re looking for new commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, or are simply looking for guidance on getting the most out of your current refrigeration equipment, give us a call here at American Refrigeration Inc. We have more than two decades of experience specializing in commercial refrigeration, HVAC and AC and heating repair. We’re well known for going the extra mile for our customers, and for providing the best service and the best products at the best prices. Call American Refrigeration Inc. today.
The heart and soul of any distillery is the efficiency of its equipment. Companies rely on this equipment to produce a high quality product for consumers, and if there is any lapse in the flow of your chiller system, your bottom line could be affected. With the help of an expert in commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, here are some indicators to be on the lookout for that might signal that it is time to upgrade your distillery equipment.
The age of your equipment
As durable as distillery equipment is, the reality is that nothing lasts forever. If you have been using the same equipment daily for many years, it is only natural that this repeated use will eventually begin to wear your equipment down. If you have been noticing even the subtlest of changes in operation as of late, it might be time to re-examine your system and get in touch with a professional to learn about possible upgrades.
Decreased efficiency
A lack of efficiency has a direct impact on a company’s production, and as such, it’s usually the first thing that you will notice. If you are going through your quarterly or even monthly numbers and notice that the productivity has been declining, the problem could be inefficient distillery equipment that needs to be replaced. In addition to slowing production, decreased efficiency could have an effect on the quality of your product as well. If your distillery has recently been having difficulties maintaining the taste of its products, new equipment might be needed, and you will want to contact a contractor right away to avoid lengthy downtimes.
Increased repairs
If your distillery has had to spend more and more money on repairs within the past few months, it could be an indication that it is time for a new system. The cost of repeated repairs can add up quickly, and it could get to a point where you are doing your company a disservice by continually paying for these repairs instead of investing in an upgraded system. In fact, instead of whittling your maintenance budget down to zero, considering a new system is oftentimes the most cost-effective solution to your equipment problems.
Since a company can only be as successful as the integral components of the business will allow, making sure that your distillery equipment is operating at maximum efficiency is imperative. It is our goal at American Refrigeration Inc. to set your distillery up for sustained success. We have the capabilities to repair and replace distillery refrigeration equipment of any kind, and with our help you can upgrade your chilling system so that the production and quality of your product remains at the level that your customers expect. Give us a call today to discuss what options we can offer your company, and schedule a consultation so that we can take your distillery to the next level.
For help with distillery equipment or anything else related to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. today!
A cold storage room is the perfect way to store your food. The cold storage room keeps fresh and frozen foods at the perfect temperature. Fresh fruits and vegetables can actually last longer when stored in a cold storage room, as opposed to a traditional refrigerator. Your business can save hundreds of dollars annually by utilizing a cold storage room to make your food last longer, which minimizes the amount of food waste.
Much like anything else, a cold storage room will begin to experience some wear and tear from use over time. You will be faced with deciding whether it is best to upgrade your unit or to replace it entirely. To help you determine the best course of action, here’s a closer look at some of the most common cold storage room issues:
Broken seals: A cold storage room relies on maintaining the right temperature to keep food fresh. Damaged seals on the door allow the cool air to leak out and the warm outside air to seep in. The unit then has to work extra hard to reach the optimal temperature. Luckily, you don’t need to replace your entire unit. Just replace the broken seal with a new one to solve the problem. This can be tricky, so it might be best to contact a professional for commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR
Not enough space: Has your cold storage room felt a bit cramped lately? Do you struggle to find enough space on the shelves for a box of fresh apples? Your space needs can change over time. If that’s the case, it’s time to upgrade to a larger version.
Too old: The lifespan of a cold storage room can vary based on the unit. Typically, you can expect it to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. After that, it is likely too old to operate very efficiently. If you haven’t already, you’ll soon be faced with steep repair costs—or worse, in the form of total equipment failure. It’s best to replace it with a newer model before any major problems arise.
Unable to maintain a consistent temperature: Maintaining the perfect temperature is crucial when it comes to cold storage rooms. A too-high temperature can cause the food to spoil quickly, while one that’s too cold can result in freezing. Contact a professional for repairs if the expected temperature is notably different from the one on the thermostat.
Broken cold room pump: The cold room pump removes wasted heat from the room to keep it consistently cool. A change in power consumption, pressure differences or capacity could indicate a major problem with the pump. Most of these issues can easily be fixed by professional repair specialists.
Remember that all repairs should only be completed by a qualified and certified professional experienced with cold storage rooms and commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR. The professional team at American Refrigeration Inc. is here to help you regardless of whether you’re ready to repair or upgrade your cold storage room. Contact us today!
Keeping your distillery equipment working properly is essential not only to the efficiency of your production, but also to the quality and taste of your product. Neglecting routine maintenance, service and cleaning of your equipment can lead to major problems that can destroy your equipment altogether. To prevent serious issues from leaving you with broken equipment and hefty replacement costs, keep an eye out for potential maintenance concerns and contact a provider of commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR right away to help address the issue:
Corrosion: One common problem that can be present in distillery equipment is corrosion. In some cases, natural corrosion of distillery equipment is unavoidable, but it can be greatly reduced through the implementation of routine cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning and sanitizing your still regularly is important, not only to maintain the condition of your equipment, but also to preserve the taste and quality of the product that you are producing.
Inefficiency: If you notice consistent issues with the efficiency of your distillery equipment, it might be time to seek help from a company specializing in commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR. A recurring reduction of efficiency can be a sign that there is something off with your equipment that requires maintenance or repair.
Electrical malfunctions: Problems with wiring and electricity can have a big impact on distilleries. If there is something wrong with the electrical wiring of your equipment or your distillery system, it can bring your entire production to a halt, and might even pose a safety concern depending on what the problem is. If you have concerns about the electrical components in your system, or if you are having frequent problems with electrical outages or shutdowns, it’s important to have the issue repaired as soon as possible.
Faulty refrigeration: Refrigeration problems can plague a distillery with low-quality products and a reduced capacity to continue production as usual. The proper functioning of refrigeration equipment is essential for distilleries, which is why it is so important to take any refrigeration issues seriously as soon as you notice them.
Poor brew quality: One of the clearest signs that your distillery equipment should be repaired is a change in the quality or taste of your product. If something tastes different or off, it’s a sure sign that there is something awry with your equipment or your process. These issues can have a big impact on your bottom line when they begin to affect quality, so you should pay attention to changes in product quality and get repairs when necessary.
At American Refrigeration Inc., we are committed to keeping your distillery equipment in the best condition possible. We have years of knowledge and experience working with components for wineries and breweries, including aging tanks, fermenters, wine presses, refrigeration tanks and more. No matter the condition of your equipment, we can offer help assessing potential problems and providing comprehensive commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR to get it working like new again. For more information about how we can help you get your distillery equipment in great shape, contact us today.
