Looking after your food display equipment is key to any good business!
So, you’ve spent your precious time researching which Display Refrigeration Unit is going to suit your needs best. You’ve paid the money and it’s been installed. So now you can put your feet up, right?
Alas no! Just like with any technical appliance, it will need to be maintained well and looked after, if you are going to get the best value from your investment.
Here are some top tips from the expert Bestronic Refrigeration Team, that will save you money and time.
1. Safety First
Before performing ANY maintenance work on your fridge, make sure the device is unplugged and disconnected from the main electrical supply.
Not only will this save you from harming yourself, but it will protect your electric installation against any water damage, due to defrosting or any residue liquid that may be in or on the machine.
- Always ensure the device is on a flat surface at all times and that the wheels are fixed.
- DO NOT use a water stream to clean the device, only a wet cloth.
- DO NOT use any sharp objects to remove dirt.
2. Cleaning
Obviously, being in the food preparation and display business, you will no doubt be cleaning your commercial fridge or freezer daily. But what additional steps can you take to increase the lifespan of the unit?
- We recommend you do a ‘deep’ clean on your device, once a month
- While cleaning the inside of the device, do not leave the front glass ‘freely lifted’ in the ‘aluminium’ profile, as this may cause damage to the glass (long term), which will not be covered by your warranty.
- Ideally, remove the glass and profile for the time of cleaning.
- During the cleaning and maintenance process, pay attention not to damage the temperature sensor in the evaporator screen.
- Defrosting your machine naturally is always the best option. Start by defrosting the evaporator, clean the condenser and verify the condition of door seals.
- It is essential to keep the condenser in the device, clean. Dirt may hinder the heat exchange, causing an increase in electric energy consumption and may cause damage to the aggregate compressor.
- In order to clean the condenser properly, it is necessary to unscrew the fixing sheet metal screws and pull the wind brace out. Clean the condenser lamellas with the help of a soft brush or paint brush.
- If the condenser is extremely dirty (blocked lamellas), it is helpful to use a vacuum cleaner or compressed nitrogen, to suck / blow the dirt from between the lamellas.
- If the device is not equipped with automatic condensate evaporation, it is essential to remove the condensate from the container when filling the container.
3. Other considerations when maintaining fridges and freezers
Be aware, there are elements of your device that can corrode when not maintained or cleaned properly.
To avoid that, please follow these rules:
- Do not allow substances containing chlorine and / or baking soda in contact with the surfaces of the device. These destroy the protective layer and components of the device (this includes stainless steel).
- During maintenance services, it is necessary to pay attention not to damage the data plate of the device. This contains significant information for servicing organisations and waste removal companies.
Finally, always read the warranty in detail before starting work. It is highly likely the manufacturer CANNOT be held responsible for damages to the condenser aggregate, resulting from non-observance of condenser cleanliness.
