Signs your commercial fridge needs repairs

6 Telltale Signs Your Commercial Fridge Needs Repairs

Posted by | 03-11-2021

Your commercial fridge works hard for your business. Having an efficient fridge is important as a) it ensures your products are safe and b) it helps reduce your energy bills. Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your fridge operating at peak performance. However, the older your fridge, the more chance there is for issues. Here we offer six telltale signs your commercial fridge needs repairs.

1. Failure to maintain proper temperatures

When your fridge is either too hot or too cold, it can spoil food and lose inventory. As well, fluctuating temperatures put your customers at risk for foodborne illnesses. If you find frost on your food or notice the fridge feels warm when you open it, this is a sure sign your commercial fridge is on the fritz. Other signs might be condensation in glass doors or on the interior walls and door, as well as food spoiling sooner than its best before date.

2. Door seal failure

Door seals play an important role in maintaining fridge temperature. When they are properly sealed, cold air leaks out, and warm air gets in. Always check your door seals regularly to ensure they are secure to avoid wasting energy and increased risk for food spoilage. At the first signs of damage, call for repairs.

3. Leaking water

Puddles of water near your fridge could be due to a fridge leak. Leaks occur when your fridge overheats but can also be caused by electrical malfunctions. Leaks not only can be a sign your fridge isn’t working but can also present a risk for accidents for customers or kitchen staff, a liability you don’t want to deal with.

4. Increased energy bills

Broken fridges tend to be a drain on electricity. If components aren’t functioning properly, your fridge has to work harder to keep cool. As a result, it is constantly draining energy to make up for poor door seals, thermometer issues, fan troubles and more. Have your fridge checked to see if it is in need of repairs to help reduce energy costs.

5. Ice forming

Ice on your door, interior or evaporator coils tells you your fridge isn’t maintaining proper temperatures. This could be because the refrigerator doesn’t have adequate airflow or also because it is overloaded. You can troubleshoot this by first making sure food isn’t blocking the fan and then rearranging the fridge so air can circulate. If this doesn’t fix the problem, call a technician.

6. New noises

Most fridges have at least a low hum even when working properly. However, if you hear new noises, this is a sign your fridge is struggling. It can be buzzing, clattering, dripping, constantly kicking in or humming. Any noises that suddenly appear are signs your fridge requires repairs.

7. Food spoilage

As mentioned in point #1, when your fridge can’t maintain proper, consistent temperatures, it can spoil food. If you notice your fridge smells or food is spoiling too soon, it is a definite sign your fridge needs attention.

Some Troubleshooting Tips

If you are experiencing commercial fridge issues, you can try some of these quick fixes to see if it makes a difference:

  • Make sure nothing is blocking the door from sealing properly
  • Try cleaning the seal with warm soapy water to remove any gunk that could be interfering with the seal
  • Make sure you are cleaning your condenser coils two or three times a month to improve efficiency
  • As mentioned, make sure the fridge isn’t overly packed and blocking the fan
  • Make sure the refrigerator is level, and if not, adjust them to keep it balanced
  • Put foam mats under your refrigerator to reduce vibrations that can interfere with the operation and to reduce noise

If you don’t see any changes after trying these quick fixes, it’s time to call in a technician. They will assess your fridge and recommend repairs to improve efficiencies. In some cases, it might just be time for a new fridge.

To get the most bang for your buck, consider a refurbished commercial fridge for improved efficiency, aesthetics and dependability at a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Speak to our team today.

For more information about maintaining and repairing your refrigerator, call Ancaster Foods at (855) 888-9644 or contact us here.

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