Walk-in coolers are highly advantageous for any business that either specializes in food service or needs to store a lot of food at any given time. They are available for many types of businesses, and provide the following benefits:
Plenty of storage space: Perhaps the biggest advantage of using a commercial walk-in cooler in Eugene, OR is the large amount of interior space it provides. When storing perishable foods on a large scale, you need plenty of space to keep them all from going bad. Walk-in coolers are very large, especially compared to other options such as dedicated freezers. You can get them in sizes ranging from 15 cubic feet to more than 400,000 square feet—entire cooled warehouses for you to store your perishables. You can assume that a single cubic foot of storage space in a walk-in cooler will accommodate about 28 pounds of solid food products.
Financial savings: A truly effective walk-in cooler can save you a lot of money, not just on your electricity bill, but also with your food, because it will keep it preserved for a long period of time. Therefore, any business looking to trim costs in as many areas as possible would do well to look into purchasing a commercial walk-in cooler of its own.
Technology: Walk-in coolers have evolved just as many other types of technology have in the last several decades. Today’s walk-in coolers are equipped with Bluetooth technology, which means you can be notified on your smartphone or other device any time the temperature goes outside of its settings. This means you’ll be alerted to problems immediately, which can help you save money on repairs as you’ll correct the issue before it becomes severe. In addition, many walk-in coolers now are outfitted with motion detectors to turn the lights on and off, which helps to reduce overall levels of power consumption.
Power: Speaking of power, the amount of power behind a walk-in cooler is extremely impressive. Some walk-in freezers will use a large compressor to keep temperatures at -10 degrees Fahrenheit, others will use smaller horsepower compressors. But you can rest assured that your cooler will have the power you need to keep all your perishable food items reliably cold.
Safety: Walk-in coolers have deadbolts on their doors and high-quality, heavy-duty hinges, which ensure their safety. In addition, they all have functionality to allow them to be opened from the inside, just in case someone accidentally shuts themselves in.
Versatility: Walk-in coolers are very versatile in nature. For example, you can set the interior temperature range to your desired preferences—typically around 35 degrees for the cooler and -10 degrees for the freezer. You can establish your own footprint for the cooler layout, as well, based on the space you have available in your kitchen or storage area.
These are just a few of the biggest benefits associated with commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR. Contact American Refrigeration Inc. today for more information about our services.
When you run a restaurant or other type of food service establishment, there is (or at least should be) a constant focus on organization and cleanliness in your kitchen spaces. Your refrigerator is one of the most important parts of that space, and a cluttered, dirty fridge can be a source of bacteria while also causing your fridge to work harder to cool items.
Therefore, it’s always good to take some time every month to go through your commercial walk-in cooler in Eugene, OR to organize your items and clean the equipment. Here are some tips to help you get the job done:
Unplug the unit: Obviously, the last thing you want is to accidentally electrocute yourself. Therefore, unplug the refrigeration unit before you perform any other task.
Clear all shelves: Remove all of the products in your refrigerator. Don’t just move them to the other side of the fridge—take them out. A good time to do this is before you receive a new shipment of food so you don’t have to have too much food sitting out. Use coolers for temporary storage while you clean out your refrigeration unit.
Throw away old, expired food: It’s easy to lose track of perishable food items, especially if they are concealed behind other items in your refrigerator. If you have any reason to suspect something is spoiled, you should throw it away. Check all expiration dates and, as the saying goes, “when in doubt, throw it out.”
Clean the fridge with warm, soapy water: Fill a bucket with a mixture of soap and warm water and grab a sponge, then go to work on wiping down the entire interior of the refrigerator. Remove any spills or messes that have built up. If you have a hard time getting out any grimy areas or stains, you might need to use a toothbrush or other type of brush with strong, flexible bristles. Once you have completed this process, rinse out the areas you’ve washed with clean water.
Disinfect: Once you have cleaned with soap and water, you can sanitize all surfaces with a disinfectant. Any chemical you choose for this job should be food safe. You don’t need to use too much of the sanitizer to get the job done.
Clean the coils and condenser: Once you’ve completely cleaned out the inside of the fridge and the shelves, pay some attention to the condenser and coils. Here, dust and debris tend to build up and cause your machine to work harder than it needs to, which can shorten its lifespan. Therefore, use a vacuum to get rid of all this dust.
Restock shelves: Once you have completed all of these processes and are satisfied with the cleanliness of your fridge, put all of your food items you will continue to use and save back into place in an organized fashion.
These simple steps will help you get the most out of your refrigerator cleaning process. For more information about cleaning and maintaining commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
Commercial-grade refrigerators and freezers are used in many restaurants, grocery stores and convenience stores. They range in size, anywhere from 4 feet by 4 feet to 10 feet by 10 feet, and some can even be as large as a standard size warehouse. Regardless of the size of the commercial cooling unit, it’s strongly advised that business owners and their employees are trained on worker safety for walk-in coolers. Coolers may look simple, but they pose plenty of hazards that can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
To ensure worker safety at your facility, let’s run through some of the most common workplace hazards associated with commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR.
Getting trapped inside
It’s a good thing that modern walk-in cooler units are equipped with safety releases on the doors. This feature is in place to ensure an employee does not get locked inside the unit by accident. Consider the temperature in these refrigeration rooms. They range from 28 degrees to 40 degrees, while freezers can be as low as -28 degrees. In the event of accidental entrapment, a person can quickly succumb to hypothermia or sudden death. The best way to prevent accidental entrapment is to always go to the coolers in pairs or prop the door open before stepping inside.
Toxin buildup
Mold or carbon dioxide buildup inside walk-in coolers is another risk to workers. The humidity inside storage coolers should be set to 60 percent to prevent fungal growth—mold growth can begin when moisture levels reach 70 percent. And, when condensation seeps into materials like cardboard, plastic foam and wood, the mold will form and spread quickly over any inside surfaces. Make sure your employees are regularly trained to detect the symptoms of mold exposure, like sneezing, coughing, sinus congestion and a sore throat. Your team should also be informed that storing dry ice inside refrigeration units causes carbon dioxide to accumulate and can reach unsafe levels very quickly.
Falling
Falling is another serious danger workers can run into inside commercial walk-in coolers. What makes walk-ins so slippery is that condensation can turn walkways into icy surfaces, so be sure to scrape and maintain these surfaces periodically to prevent slips and falls. To protect yourself against falls while working inside walk-in coolers, wear rubber-soled shoes with good traction.
Other hazards to note
It’s freezing inside walk-in cooler units, so plan on bundling up before going inside on. Keep warm coats, wool hats, gloves and socks near the entrances of coolers. Do not overload freezer shelves with packages and products, because they can collapse under the weight and fall onto someone. Finally, use only approved stepladders to reach things that are high up to prevent injury.
Is your commercial establishment in need of refrigeration or freezer repairs or services? Call on American Refrigeration Inc. to take care of your commercial walk-in coolers in Eugene, OR. We have over two decades of experience in the field and can help you ensure your equipment is functioning at its best.
A walk in freezer is a major investment and, like with most major investments, you want to do what you can to protect it. Whether you own a restaurant, a bar or a grocery store, you know that the daily operations of your business depend on your walk in freezer operating efficiently. At American Refrigeration Inc., we offer installation and repair services on commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, so we know a thing or two about walk in cooler maintenance. Below are just a few tips from our technicians on how to keep your walk in freezer operating efficiently:
Check the gaskets regularly: Your freezer gaskets are the rubber seals that go around the door of your freezer. Over time, these gaskets can become warped and cracked. Damaged gaskets allow the cold air to escape, and your freezer will have to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. To avoid this, you should be checking your gaskets about every three months.
Check the insulation: The suction lines between the condensing unit and evaporator coil are insulated to ensure that your freezer is operating as efficiently as possible. However, the insulation can become damaged or decay over time. You should check the insulation periodically to ensure that it is in good condition.
Keep the door closed: It can be tempting to leave your freezer door propped open, especially if you find yourself going in and out a lot. While it may be annoying to have to keep reopening your freezer every few minutes, it’s actually better to keep it closed when possible. Propping your freezer open will make your freezer have to work harder to maintain the temperature, which will increase your energy bill and shorten the life of your freezer.
Clean the condensing coil: The condensing coil is where the refrigerant releases most of the heat it pulls from your freezer. You should clean the condensing coil periodically, about twice a year. If your condenser unit is located outside, you should clean it more often.
Have the electrical components checked: About twice a year, you should have a technician that services commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR check the electrical components of your walk in freezer. High amperage can be caused by loose wires, which will cause your unit to use more energy.
Keep the lights off: Be sure to always turn the lights off when exiting your walk in freezer. Not only do the lights inside your walk in freezer use a lot of energy themselves, but lights also produce heat, which can affect the temperature inside your freezer and make your unit work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Following these few simple tips will not only keep your unit operating efficiently and help save you money, but it will also help increase the lifespan of your freezer. For more tips like this or to learn about our services for commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, call American Refrigeration Inc. today!
Commercial grade refrigeration units are not cheap, and neither are the repair bills associated with them. For this reason, it’s important that you clean and inspect all running units on a regular basis. Let’s take a look at some good tips to help you care for your commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR.
Cleaning the unit
To avoid costly issues and repairs, it’s a good idea to clean the unit in between professional cleanings. Coming together as a team to perform regular commercial cooler maintenance will likely result in the appliance performing well and lasting a long time. Moreover, clean cooling units will ensure that your establishment won’t stink of spoiled foods, which will turn off customers:
Schedule regular cleanings: You can make cleaning your walk in coolers easier each time by spot cleaning often, instead of waiting until odors get worse and spills multiply. Read the owner’s manual for cleaning instructions, or use a damp cloth with a gentle soapy solution. Consider working regular cooler cleanings into your daily routine to wipe away food particles and spills, and dirt from floors, as well as eliminate lingering odors from the day.
Plan thorough cleanings: Once again, check your owner’s annual for more in-depth cleaning instructions. You want to keep the cooler’s ventilation and grate covers clear of debris and gunk or ice buildup, and wipe down fans, coils and electrical connections (after turning off the power, of course). If debris accumulates around or inside the unit components, then the cooler may run into issues with performance.
Inspecting unit parts
The best time for quick unit inspections is while you’re cleaning it. That way, you might uncover damage or problems like cracks, splits, rust or corrosion and disconnected wires that would otherwise go undetected:
Prevent issues now: Small issues almost always grow into bigger problems, which is why weekly inspections of commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR are recommended—especially for the food service industry. Add regular weekly inspections to the work calendar to be completed by you or a designated employee.
Check for leaks: Water leaking from or inside the cooling unit needs immediate attention. There could be an issue with the coil condensers, compressor or other unit components that are in place to keep walk in coolers at the right temperature. Also, make sure the door is holding shut when you close it, because at warmer temperatures, the door seal could malfunction. A leaky or warm cooler means the internal temperature is dropping and food safety is now on the line.
Don’t ignore strange sounds: A walk in cooler can start making all sorts of noises seemingly out of nowhere. First, there are odd door sounds—like popping joints, loose hinges jingling and a lack of suction sounds upon opening the door. Other strange sounds include a struggling fan motor or compressor, which can be an indication of a system clog or malfunction.
Performing your own unit cleaning and inspections is good, but every now and then, you should hire a professional to give everything a closer look. For repairs and installations of commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, contact the experienced team at American Refrigeration Inc. today!
