Walk-in coolers are essential for food businesses as they keep the food inventory fresh and ready to use. But if it fails, this means the inventory will need to be discarded and you don’t want that. So, you would want the walk-in cooler to keep working smoothly. Therefore, use these tips to maintain the walk-in and improve its lifespan, and remember to consult commercial refrigerator services for professional maintenance.

Keep A Temperature Log (Daily)

This simple daily task can help you immensely if you think about it. This will ensure that you detect even minor problems early on and protect the food quality and the walk-in. And by keeping a temperature log of the walk-in, you will be complying with health codes and avoiding fines. So, make this a habit for yourself or train your staff to do this 2-3 times every day.

Typical temperature of a walk-in cooler is 35°F to 40°F (1.5°C to 4.5°C). Moreover, always keep a food thermometer inside the cooler so you can compare the walk-in’s temperature with the thermometer and spot any differences if they happen.

When to take action? You should take action by informing the concerned personnel or inspect the walk-in if the temperature stays above 41°F (5°C) or below 34°F (1°C).

Check And Clean The Door (Daily)

Check and make sure that the door is closing properly without any problems. Moreover, clean the door and the gasket to remove any buildup that may lead to improperly shutting the door and cool air escaping the interior. Check the gasket for cracks and damage as well.

Check And Clean The Interior (Daily)

For daily cleaning, you don’t need to deep clean anything, but you should be cleaning spots that may look bad and also containers and shelves that are frequently used. Moreover, clean and sanitize the floor and also the handles.

Clean Spills (Immediately)

If you see spills, clean them immediately before they become a food safety concern. Moreover, if you see puddles of water, you should also clean them just when you see them because they can also cause contamination. Also, this can be a tripping hazard as well.

Look for Mold, Bad Odor, Ice Buildup, And Pests (Daily)

While you’re cleaning the interior, you should also look for anything unusual, like mold, bad odor, ice buildup, and pests. These are the signs of a lot of problems, so you should detect and report them.

Mold: Mold means there is condensation, excess moisture, improper cleaning, temperature issues, dirty door gasket, or spoiled food. So, you should check for these problems if you see mold. It’s better to start by looking for spoiled food because many times, that’s the culprit. Ensure to clean and sanitize surfaces to avoid mold growth.

Bad odor: if there is a bad odor, it can be because of spoiled food, improper cleaning, clogged floor drains, mold, poor airflow, condensation, and other issues. So, discard spoiled food and clean and sanitize everything.

Ice buildup: This is a big problem and has various causes, such as condensation, the door not shut properly or damaged gasket, incorrect temperature setting, poor airflow, dirty evaporator coils, and other issues.

Pests: A pest infestation inside or near the walk-in cooler can be a huge issue. It can be due to improper cleaning, standing water on the floor, spoiled food, a cracked gasket, keeping the door open for long, and nearby infestation. Remedying these problems is vital to avoid this problem.

This is why you should look for these four things daily, among other tasks, to avoid a multitude of problems and spot them early on. You will notice a few causes that are common and overlap in these issues, like improper cleaning, condensation, a damaged gasket, and spoiled food. So, be even more careful about these issues because they can create not one but multiple problems. Make this a part of your restaurant cleaning checklist.

Ensure Proper Airflow (Weekly)

Airflow is the life and soul of a walk-in cooler because it makes sure the entire interior stays evenly cool. If the airflow is blocked, there is no even cooling. It can create issues because some spots may go above 41°F, which can spoil the food and create even more problems like mold and bad odor. Moreover, poor airflow can cause ice buildup as well. So, a critical task is to ensure proper airflow.

Therefore, check daily that there is a clearance of 6 inches between the walls/vents and the shelves/food items. You should be able to see the vents and fans. Look for large food items or big stacks of food blocking vents and fans.

Plus, look for ice buildup. Its most common location can be near the fans. If it’s noticeable, defrost the cooler because the automatic defrost may not be working (if available).

You should perform a quicker airflow check every day and a thorough check every week. If you notice a broken fan, call in a commercial refrigerator repair Clifton technician.

Check The Condenser Coil (Weekly)

Check the condenser coil that may be on the outside of the walk-in cooler or any other room or the rooftop. You should look for dust, debris, grease, etc., if there is a lot of accumulation and you haven’t cleaned the condenser coil for a while, prepare to clean it ASAP. Moreover, you should consider its cleaning when you notice improper cooling or higher energy bills.

Check The Evaporator Coils (Weekly)

Evaporator coils are inside the walk-in cooler. They are located along with the fans you see on one or multiple sides of the interior. Just look for ice buildup, debris, and grease. Ice buildup is a big sign that you should defrost the walk-in cooler and also clean the evaporator coils.

Clean The Drain (Weekly)

Most walk-in coolers have a drain inside the unit. But some do have a pipe that leads to the facility’s drain. Check the drain for debris and clogs and clear them.

Also, flush the drain. You can do this by pouring warm water into the drain. This will remove some clogs that are not a problem now but could be in the future. Ensure to use warm water and not boiling water as it can damage the drain and pipes. If you want better cleaning, use a manufacturer’s recommended detergent with warm water.

However, if there is still a clog, call in a plumber or a walk-in cooler expert.

Thorough Cleaning (Monthly)

Every month, you should thoroughly clean the interior of the unit to remove all the buildup, ensure food safety, and help the walk-in work more comfortably. This involves removing all the food, cleaning and sanitizing all the walls, fans, shelves, and the floor, and then letting it dry.

Professional Inspection (Every Few Months)

Hire an expert to inspect and maintain the walk-in cooler every few months or when you notice any issues in your daily checks. Even when there is no problem, hire an expert every 4 to 6 months for maintenance.

Conclusion

You can extend the life of your walk-in cooler by maintaining it well. Create a daily, weekly, and monthly routine and follow it so that it keeps your inventory cool and safe. And make sure to hire a walk in cooler repair Fairfax Station expert in case of a problem.