As a food service business, it’s important to keep your commercial freezer in good working order. This is particularly true in warm climates, like Florida, where the temperature in your freezer can drop quickly.
Whether you’re a restaurant, ice cream parlor, or grocery store, maintaining your commercial freezers and refrigerators is critical. Catching issues early on can help you save money and keep your business on track.
Here are some of the top signs that your commercial freezer might need repairs or maintenance:
Defrosted or spoiled food
The goal of a commercial freezer is to keep your food frozen. If it’s not doing that, something has gone wrong.
If you’re experiencing food that’s semi-defrosted or seeing signs of freezer burn, it’s likely that your freezer is fluctuating in temperature.
Remote temperature monitoring can help you make sure your freezer is staying at a consistent temperature. Especially since it can be hard to tell if food has defrosted and returned to a frozen state. It not only changes texture and taste, but it can also introduce bacteria that can cause illness.
Plus, remote monitoring can provide other benefits like monitoring CO2 levels and power outages. All of which can prevent the spoilage of food.
If your freezer is unable to maintain a consistent frozen temperature, it’s most likely time for a repair.
Frost buildup
Your freezer should be freezing your food, not the unit itself. This can happen from time to time from things like open doors. But consistent frost can be a sign of cooling issues or damaged seals within your unit.
One of the first things you should do when you see signs of frost is to check if your door gaskets need cleaning.
If you’re seeing ice and frost build up in your freezer consistently, it’s a good chance you need a professional inspection and repair.
Flooding or water leaks
Like most equipment, leaking water is a telltale sign that your freezer or refrigerator unit might need repairs.
Flooding can be from issues as simple as your drain line needing to be cleaned. However, it can also be from defrosting or temperature maintenance issues.
Water leaks or flooding should be dealt with promptly. It can cause damage to electrical parts and also be a hazard for your employees and customers.
Excess moisture
Sometimes moisture is less obvious than a puddle on the floor, especially with a freezer. Keep an eye out for excess moisture.
A common warning sign of an issue when it comes to moisture is higher than normal condensation when you open the freezer door. This can be a sign that your gasket is worn out or needs repairs.
You may also experience moisture on the outside of the unit. This often happens when the drain is blocked and needs to defrost manually.
It can also be the result of humid environments or the use of air conditioning, which is common in warmer climates like Florida
When in doubt, it’s best to have a professional come inspect your commercial freezer unit. They’ll be able to identify the root cause of the issue and recommend any repairs or maintenance.
Increasing energy costs
Commercial freezer and refrigerator units can use a significant amount of energy.
Often one of the first signs of issues with your freezer units is a change in your energy bills. If your energy bill seems to be creeping up unexpectedly, it’s a good time to take a look at your refrigeration systems
It’s very possible that your freezer unit is working overtime to stay in a frozen state. Not only will catching the issue early on help save on energy but it can prevent issues that could cause costly repairs in the future.
Unusual noises
Commercial freezers aren’t always the quietest. They typically do make a “hum” sound when running.
But if you’re hearing noises that are out of the ordinary (or lack of noise), it could be a sign that something isn’t working properly.
Strange banging or clicking sounds could be signs of motor failure. Meanwhile, a lack of sound could be a sign that your condenser is no longer running as normal.
Even if your freezer otherwise seems to be running as normal, it’s best to have your unit looked at as soon as possible. This way, you can prevent any potential issues before it creates a large problem.
Leave the repairs to the freezer experts
Regular cleaning and maintenance is the best way to keep your commercial freezer in good working order. However, make sure to keep an eye out for signs of trouble.
Catching issues sooner rather than later can save you money and a headache for your business.
Central Florida Store Services is the leading expert in commercial freezer and refrigerator maintenance. From repairs and installation to remote temperature monitoring, we can help your business stay frozen. Contact us for your freezer repair service today.
