Commercial Refrigerator Maintenance: Tips to Extend Its Lifespan

If you had to ask someone which is the most indispensable tool in any commercial kitchen, you might get a plethora of answers, but the fridge is a strong contender for the position. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, your commercial fridge is fundamental to food safety, inventory management, and the overall financial health of your business; any sudden failure can even trigger a cascade of disastrous consequences. To avoid just such a scenario (and any issues that might result from it), it’s vital you not only find a reliable fridge from a trustworthy provider such as Canadian Commercial Appliance, but also that you take a proactive and diligent approach to maintenance (and not just for your fridge, but for everything else in the kitchen).

Choosing the right commercial fridge is the first step to a cleaner, more efficient kitchen, but it’s only the first. Implementing a regular maintenance schedule is the next, and it does far more than just fix problems as they arise. This maintenance actively prevents them, optimising performance and significantly extending the unit’s operational life. Just as a vehicle requires regular oil changes and tune-ups to run smoothly for years, your commercial refrigerator requires consistent care to remain efficient and reliable. The following fridge care tips provide a comprehensive guide to help you preserve your fridge’s longevity and performance.

1. Thoroughly Clean Condenser Coils

The condenser coil is a critical component in the refrigeration cycle, responsible for releasing heat extracted from the inside of the unit into the surrounding air. Typically located at the bottom or top of the refrigerator, these coils are magnets for dust, grease, and airborne debris common in a commercial kitchen environment. Over time, this buildup acts as an insulator, forcing the compressor to work much harder and for longer periods to dissipate heat. This extra labour leads to soaring energy bills and places immense strain on the compressor, the most expensive component to replace. At least once a month (or more frequently in high-debris environments like bakeries) unplug the unit and use a stiff-bristled brush and a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove all accumulated grime from the coils.

2. Inspect and Maintain Door Gaskets

The rubber or vinyl seals lining the refrigerator doors (known as gaskets) are crucial for maintaining an airtight closure. They keep cold air in and warm, humid ambient air out. Over time, gaskets can become brittle, torn, or flattened, compromising the seal. A poor seal allows cold air to escape, forcing the refrigeration system to run continuously to maintain its set temperature. This also allows moisture to enter, leading to excess condensation and frost buildup inside.

Once a week, visually inspect the gaskets for any signs of damage. To check the seal's integrity, perform the paper test: close the door on a piece of paper or a banknote. If it slides out with no resistance, the gasket is not sealing properly and likely needs to be replaced. Clean the gaskets weekly with warm, soapy water to remove food residue, but avoid harsh chemical cleaners (as these can degrade the material). 

3. Prioritise Interior Cleanliness and Organisation

Maintaining a clean and organised interior is about more than just hygiene; it directly impacts a fridge’s efficiency and lifespan. Spills should be wiped up immediately, as acidic or sugary substances can corrode shelving and interior liners over time. Furthermore, proper organisation is key to ensuring adequate airflow. When a refrigerator is overpacked, with items crammed together and pushed against the interior walls, the circulation of cold air is obstructed. This creates warm spots, causes uneven cooling, and makes the unit work harder to distribute cold air. Train staff to store items with a few centimetres of space between them and away from the interior walls and fan vents to promote optimal performance.

4. Monitor and Calibrate Temperature Consistently

Maintaining the correct temperature is paramount for food safety and operational efficiency. A commercial refrigerator should ideally be kept at or below 4°C, while a freezer should be maintained at or below -18°C. However, the unit's built-in thermostat can lose accuracy over time. To ensure precision, place a separate, reliable appliance thermometer inside the unit and check it daily. If you notice a consistent discrepancy between the thermometer's reading and the unit's display, you may need to calibrate the thermostat according to the manufacturer's instructions. Consistent temperature monitoring helps safeguard your inventory and prevents the unit from overworking due to an inaccurate thermostat setting.

5. Guarantee Adequate Airflow Around the Unit

Just as airflow is important inside the unit, it is equally critical on the outside. Your commercial refrigerator needs to "breathe" to effectively expel the heat gathered by the condenser coils. It is crucial to leave adequate clearance—typically a minimum of 10 to 15 centimetres—around the sides and back of the unit, as well as above it. Avoid the common mistake of pushing the refrigerator flush against a wall or storing boxes and other supplies on top of it. Obstructing ventilation traps heat, forcing the condenser and compressor to run excessively, which increases energy use and drastically shortens their service life.

6. Attend to the Evaporator Coils and Fan Blades

Located inside the unit, usually behind a protective panel, the evaporator coil and its corresponding fan are responsible for absorbing heat from the interior and circulating the resulting cold air. These components can also accumulate dust and, more problematically, ice. An iced-over evaporator coil cannot absorb heat effectively, and ice buildup can physically obstruct or damage the fan blades. This results in poor cooling and can lead to liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor, causing severe damage. Regularly check these components for ice. If you see significant frost, it may indicate a problem with the defrost cycle, a faulty door gasket, or another issue that requires professional attention.

7. Check and Clear the Drainage System

During the automatic defrost cycle, moisture condenses and is channelled out of the refrigerated compartment through a drain line into a collection pan, where it evaporates. This drain line can become clogged with food particles, dust, and slime. When a clog occurs, water can back up and pool at the bottom of the unit or freeze into a sheet of ice, creating a slip hazard and potentially damaging goods. Routinely inspect and clean the drain pan, which is usually located at the bottom of the unit. If you notice pooling water inside, the drain line itself is likely clogged and needs to be cleared using a flexible pipe cleaner or a blast of pressurised air.

8. Educate Your Team on Best Practices

The daily habits of your staff have a profound impact on the refrigerator's longevity. Knowing how to clean a commercial fridge is one thing, but it also helps to implement other practises to ensure the fridge stays clean and functional. Institute and enforce a few simple rules: minimise the time the doors are left open; allow hot foods to cool to room temperature before placing them inside; avoid overstocking shelves; and always ensure doors are fully and securely closed after each use. Fostering a culture of care among your team provides an essential layer of support for all your mechanical maintenance efforts.

Finding the right commercial fridge in Canada isn’t the only part of setting up your kitchen correctly; you also need to give it the proper care. By integrating these maintenance practices into your regular operational routine, you’re providing some much-needed care and attention to your fridge. This consistent attention doesn’t just extend the lifespan of your commercial refrigerator, it also helps ensure its reliability, enhance its efficiency, and protect your business from any sudden breakdowns (as well as the subsequent effects that go with them).

When you’re looking for a commercial fridge to help keep your foodstuffs safe and orderly, Canadian Commercial Appliance is here to help. We carry a wide range of commercial refrigerator models to meet our clients’ needs, and we’re more than happy to lend a hand and help you find the right one for you. Call us now at 1-800-393-0120, and we’ll help make finding a commercial fridge an easier, less stressful job.