More and more people and ownership groups across the country are following their dreams and starting up their own craft breweries and distilleries. It’s something of an industry revolution that’s seen major headway over the last decade or so. One might expect the bubble for the industry would be ready to burst by now, but in fact there continues to be large-scale demand for new and exciting craft alcohols.
If you’re preparing to start up a new craft distillery, it is important you’ve done plenty of planning so you’re prepared to hit the ground running and carve out your niche in what’s quickly become a highly competitive industry. This means planning for everything from the equipment you’ll use, such as refrigeration tanks, to the experience you want your customers in Eugene, OR to have.
Here are just a few quick tips for you to keep in mind as you prepare to start a new distilling operation.
Make sure your product is ready before you open up
It’s understandable to get excited and antsy about officially opening your business to the public and selling your liquor, but you must make sure you’ve perfected your product before you start selling it. Consider how much competition there is right now in the world of craft distilling. You only get one chance to make a great first impression, and if you rush your product to the market, then you run the risk of delivering a product that isn’t quite ready, and the public will react accordingly.
When you consider how long it can take for some types of liquor to properly age, this becomes even more important to emphasize. Let your product age properly before you open it up for drinking.
Try starting off with used equipment
One of the most exciting parts about beginning a new craft distillery is finding all the equipment you’ll be using for your operation. However, some of the equipment you’ll need can be extremely expensive if you purchase it new. Considering how tight finances are likely to be for you when you first get going, it’s important to find alternative sources for this equipment.
You can find used distilling equipment, but keep in mind that not all distilling equipment and refrigeration tanks are the same. You should consider what it was used for (and who was using it) before you purchase it, how long it’s been in use and how much usable life it realistically has left. But in general, used equipment is the best way to get your operation off the ground without setting you back too much financially.
Create your own experience
The best thing you can do to set your new distillery apart from the competition is to just be true to yourself and try to make an experience that reflects what you love about the business and the kinds of products you enjoy. Feel free to experiment, but also keep in mind that some of the old traditional standbys never hurt, either.
For more information about starting up a new distillery and getting the refrigeration tanks you need in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. today.
We specialize in a wide variety of services here at American Refrigeration Inc. Though we’re probably best known for our work with heating and cooling systems, we’re also heavily involved in servicing refrigeration products in Eugene, OR! Continue reading to learn more about all of the refrigeration gear we service:
Cold storage rooms: Restaurant owners know the importance of a properly functioning cold storage room. Without one, safely storing food for a long period of time would be impossible. If you need a new cold storage room or if your current one seems to be on the fritz, choose American Refrigeration Inc. for the job!
HVAC equipment: Whether you’ve got an AC that needs a tune-up or your furnace needs repairs, we’re the team you need to call. On top of very competitive prices, we offer fast response time for all of our services, so you won’t be waiting around sweating while your AC is out.
Heat pumps: If you don’t have central heating and AC, you probably have a heat pump in your building. Heat pumps offer a variety of benefits over central air, but they’re not impervious to breakdowns. If your heat pump has a problem or needs maintenance, pick up the phone and call us right away.
Ice machines: If the patrons in your restaurant want cold beverages, then you’d better have a working ice machine in your commercial kitchen! When ice machines start to malfunction, we’re the team for the job to fix the current one or install a new one. Big or small, we can service them all!
Reach-in freezers: The reach-in freezer is essential in any kitchen to keep frozen foods frozen until it’s time to serve or prepare them. A malfunctioning freezer leads to spoiled food, which can lead to a variety of illnesses. Be sure that your freezer is working as it should, or else you may have to face some serious consequences from sick patrons.
Reach-in coolers: The reach-in cooler is also vital for any proper commercial kitchen. Though it won’t keep your frozen foods frozen, it still ensures everything is kept fresh and ready for meal prep. Again, be sure that your coolers are working if you want to keep your customers well-fed and out of the emergency room for foodborne illnesses!
Walk-in coolers: Any legitimate restaurant kitchen has a walk-in cooler in addition to a few reach-ins. Walk-in coolers allow you to store tons of food and ensure that it’s all safe to eat.
Winery chillers: Last, but certainly not least, we can service the chillers at restaurants or vineyards. Be sure to call right away if your chiller is having an issue, because you’d hate to see any of that wine go to waste!
Do you need us to install a new ice machine at your restaurant or fix the reach-in cooler at your grocery store? Regardless of your refrigeration products in Eugene, OR, we’re your go-to service option! Call us today to find out why we’re the most trusted HVAC company in town.
Businesses like restaurants, cafeterias, grocery stores, hotels and more all require the use of commercial refrigeration. If a unit breaks down, it could lead to a lot of unneeded trouble for the business owner. Therefore, it is important that anyone who owns a business that relies on the use of commercial refrigeration do everything they can to keep their units properly maintained so they can extend the life of the unit and avoid major repairs.
One of the best ways to accomplish this is through cleaning commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR. Here are a few tips about how to clean each part of the unit.
How to clean the condenser coils
As condenser coils become dirtier, they lead to the unit needing to work harder to accomplish the same task. This can lead to overheating and the eventual damage of some important parts of the equipment. Therefore, condenser coils should be cleaned once a month at the very least to ensure their longevity.
Condenser coils are not always located in the same spot, so you may need to check the manual or with the person installing the unit to figure out exactly where yours is located. Once you’ve found it, you’re going to want to clean it off with a commercial cleaner made specifically for these types of coils, sold at any location that provides kitchen equipment. Use a brush to scrub off the condenser fins, using a top-to-bottom motion as you scrub. After you’ve finished with the fins, make sure you straighten out any you’ve bent in the process with a comb.
How to clean the interior of the commercial refrigerator
The interior of the unit is what the customers are typically going to see, and so you’re going to want to pay more attention to aesthetics here. Therefore, you’re not going to want to use hard brushes or steel wool to clean, as it could cause a lot of damage to the finish and scratches to the interior. Additionally, you will want to avoid harsh chemicals or bleach, as they could leave behind unwanted scents or chemical coatings. The last thing you want is to negatively impact the flavor of the food.
Instead, use a simple mixture of a mild soap and warm water and gently wipe the inside of your unit with a towel. Additionally, once a week, you should take all of the gaskets off the refrigerator and let them soak in soapy water for a half hour or so. Then you can dry them off and put them back on the unit.
How to clean the fan blades and motor
You should also clean the blades and motor about once a month. This is a simple process—just use a soft cloth and run it over the fan blades and motor. If you notice the fan blades are particularly dirty, cover the motor with a dry cloth and use a damp cloth to wipe the blades. This will make sure no moisture seeps into the motor.
For more tips for cleaning commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. today!
There is no doubt that maintaining the temperature of your commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR will be the largest expense this summer for your food business. Fortunately, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy offers tips for keeping your appliances efficient when the outdoor temperatures start to rise. Here is what you can do to help your commercial refrigerator remain a vital asset, while also controlling your costs:
Watch anti-sweat heater usage: While there is a temptation to keep these on at all times, the only time you need them is when you see condensation buildup. You will either notice it on the inside of a refrigerator door or a cooled food display case. Add automation so the anti-sweat heater activates when necessary. This will save you money and also reduce continued wear on your commercial refrigeration.
Check door gaskets and auto closers: Energy leakage often arises from the refrigeration doors. This can happen for a couple of reasons. First, the gaskets eventually wear out and start to let cold air escape, which increases demand on the cooler or refrigerator. Second, employees may leave doors open slightly, or any auto closers installed on your appliances may quit working. You will want to educate your employees on being sure to close doors, but also keep an eye on your auto closers to make sure they work.
Clean coils: Dust accumulation on coils also reduces cooling and leads to inefficient heat transfer. If you can see the coils, vacuum them out frequently so they can continue to serve you well. However, if these are less accessible, arranging for regular maintenance and cleaning of your appliances will assure their long-term efficiency and functioning.
Be aware of space: Your refrigeration system needs adequate space for ventilation. Check for airflow around the coils and any obstacles blocking air circulation. When there is no airflow, the refrigerator and the coils work harder which drains energy, raises utility bills and eventually leads to failure.
Consider motion-sensing lighting: If your refrigeration system includes a display case, know that the lighting systems can also be an energy drain. By installing motion sensors, they will only turn on when needed, and that leads to more utility savings.
Install night curtains: Rather than keep your display coolers exposed, invest in night curtains so they can stay cool even when not in use. In the morning, they will not have to work as hard to get to optimal temperature.
Typical commercial refrigeration can consume up to 17,000 kilowatt-hours of energy, and commercial freezers can go as high as 38,000. However, these systems are necessary to keep your food safe for customers. While the Energy Department is working on standards to make these essential pieces of equipment more efficient, you can make efforts today to enjoy improved efficiency.
For assistance with repair and maintenance for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration, Inc. We work on many models and offer special expertise to the food industry when it comes to HVAC demands.
It is a problem that can sneak up on you. One day, you notice your industrial refrigerator or display case does not feel as cold as it should. After dismissing it as your imagination, you may put off repairs because it does not seem likely that a refrigerator or display case could lose cooling power. Unfortunately, that approach could lead to the catastrophic position of having no cooling in your refrigerator or display case. In these instances, you need to call for commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR as soon as possible to reduce possible losses and keep your food quality safe.
A very bad development
There are few questions regarding the impacts of commercial refrigeration failure. The bad effects are immense. Commercial refrigeration is essential for any food industry. It is the difference between happy customers who continue to return and patrons who swear never to visit again after catching a case of food poisoning. These issues lead to safety and liability concerns that could hamstring your business. You may not only lose customers, but you might also fail inspections that keep your business doors open. Sometimes, you can even face fines and other civil penalties from the state or your locality.
That is not the only way you can lose money through failed refrigeration, however. These devices also preserve your inventory. Ingredients for restaurant meals or meat and cheese items in a display case are how you make your living. If they are not preserved, people cannot consume or purchase them. When you throw away your food products, it is essentially the same as throwing away your money from reduced inventory and sales.
Call a technician immediately
You need to trust your instincts on this matter. If you notice your commercial refrigeration is not cool enough, do not dismiss your feelings as imagined. You are handling food in that appliance every single day, and if there is a difference in its functioning, it is very likely you will notice it. This matter is too serious to take lightly, and it may be better to pay a technician to find nothing wrong than risk having a failure later. You will gain peace of mind, at the very least.
Also, issues with commercial refrigeration cannot be addressed as a do-it-yourself project. Commercial refrigeration is very different from its consumer counterpart, and there is also more at stake. A lack of cooling can have several causes, including worn-out coils or malfunctioning fans. An experienced technician can figure out these problems for you and, most importantly, repair it correctly the first time. You want to spend your time managing your business and creating products for your customers—not attempting to fix your essential and technical machinery.
Start your summer by completing all needed commercial refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR as soon as possible. American Refrigeration, Inc. offers the experience you require for your food business. Call us today to arrange for a visit so your refrigeration can stay cool and productive all summer long.
