Commercial Kitchen Refrigeration

Door Seals
Perhaps one of the most troublesome failures of a commercial refrigeration unit are issues caused by faulty door seals. This is why it is imperative that you check your door seals regularly.
You can do this by placing a dollar bill in the doorframe and closing the door with part of the bill sticking out. If you can pull the bill out, your door seals may be in need of repair.
You should also give your door seals a good clean every six months to prevent food bits from tampering with the seal.

Thermostat
Commercial refrigeration breakdowns are often caused by broken thermostats. Not only does this lead to costly repair bills but spoiled food costs as well.
You can avoid this nightmare by regularly checking the temperature of your units by using a thermometer. Check the owner's manual to verify the working temperature of your equipment and compare it to the thermostat readings.

Condenser Coils
If you can, ensure that your condenser coils are clean or have them inspected regularly by a professional HVAC technician.
To clean the condenser coils, unplug the unit so you can access the coils. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment gently over the coils to remove dust and debris.
If necessary, use a cloth to wipe off dust and dirt. Replace the unit and plug it back in.
This should be done at least twice a year.

Keep Your Fridge Stocked
In order to work properly, many commercial refrigerators need to be kept nearly full. This creates the proper thermal mass to maintain a stable temperature.
The emptier your unit is, the more the temperature is impacted every time it is opened since the cooling unit has to work harder.
If you don't have enough product to fill your fridge, use jugs of water.

Regular Cleaning
Keeping your commercial refrigerator clean does more for your equipment than keeping up with appearances. Be sure to thoroughly clean your unit as part of your regular maintenance schedule.