Commercial refrigeration is at the heart of every successful kitchen, bar, café, and hospitality venue. When it’s running smoothly, your business runs smoothly. But without proper care, even the best equipment can suffer from inefficiency, breakdowns, or shortened lifespan.
To help you keep your systems performing at their best, here are our expert tips for maintaining your commercial refrigeration equipment.
1. Keep Condenser Coils Clean
Your condenser coils are essential for releasing heat from your system. When they become dusty or clogged with grease, your fridge has to work harder, increasing energy consumption and the risk of failure.
Tip: Clean coils at least every 1–3 months depending on usage and kitchen conditions.
2. Check Door Seals Regularly
Damaged or loose door gaskets let cold air escape, forcing your system to run continuously. This doesn’t just waste energy—it prevents your equipment from holding safe temperatures.
Tip: Check seals weekly and replace them if they’re cracked, loose, or warped.
3. Avoid Overloading Your Fridge
Overstocking reduces airflow and makes it harder for your refrigeration system to maintain consistent temperature.
Tip: Make sure air can circulate around products and avoid storing items directly against vents.
4. Keep the Interior Clean and Organised
Spills, debris, and food residue can block vents and sensors. A clean fridge is not only safer—it runs more efficiently.
Tip: Implement a weekly deep clean and daily wipe-down routine.
5. Monitor Temperature Daily
Temperature fluctuations are often an early warning sign of mechanical issues.
Tip: Use a digital thermometer or monitoring system to check temperatures and record any unusual changes.
6. Allow Hot Food to Cool Before Storing
Putting hot dishes directly into your fridge or cold room forces the system to work much harder and can raise the internal temperature to unsafe levels.
Tip: Use blast chillers where possible, or allow food to cool naturally before storing.
7. Maintain Good Airflow Around the Unit
Placing equipment too close to walls or other appliances can trap heat around the condenser.
Tip: Follow manufacturer recommendations for spacing—usually a few inches of clearance is enough to improve performance significantly.
8. Schedule Regular Professional Servicing
Even with the best daily practices, commercial refrigeration requires expert attention to stay reliable.
Routine service helps to:
- Detect issues early
- Reduce risk of breakdowns
- Improve energy efficiency
- Extend equipment lifespan
Tip: Book preventative maintenance at least twice a year—more often for busy kitchens or high-demand seasons.
Stay Efficient. Stay Reliable. Stay Cool.
Proper care can make all the difference to your refrigeration equipment. At Bartorelli Refrigeration, our team provides expert servicing, repairs, and maintenance to ensure your systems perform exactly when you need them most.
If you’d like to schedule a service or discuss a maintenance plan tailored to your business, we’re here to help.
