15

Feb

Commercial Food Steamer Fixes You Must Know

Commercial steamers are essential appliances in cafes, restaurants, and food businesses. So, if they don’t function as expected, it can be frustrating and mostly you need a hand from a commercial appliances repair expert to fix your commercial food steamer. Therefore, we are giving you some tips for fixing two common problems with your commercial steamer.

Commercial Steamer Fixes

Commercial Food Steamer Is Overfilling With Water

If your restaurant steamer overfills with water, you should perform these actions:

Level The Unit

A simple cause of overfilling in commercial steamers is the tilting of the steamer in one direction. So, check the steamer and level it. You should also check the floor where it’s placed. Is the floor damaged? Are the wheels or legs of the steamer damaged? To make sure the steamer is level, employ a sprint level.

Check If The Water Pressure Is High

High water pressure will lead to the overfilling of the steamer. You should check the water pressure of the facility. It should not be more than 60 PSI for the proper functioning of your steamer. If it’s greater than that, your steamer will frequently overfill from water causing a mess.

On the other hand, if the water pressure is low, it can cause other problems like no steaming, which means no cooking. Therefore, water pressure is an important factor.

Make Sure The Water Level Setting Is Correct

This is another simple thing that most people take care of, but sometimes, it’s ignored. If your steamer is new and you don’t know what is its minimum and maximum water level recommendation, refer to the user manual.

Check The Water Level Control System

The water level control system is what keeps the water level in check. It has valves and sensors that work with the control unit of the steamer to operate and regulate the level of water in the steamer.

If a valve or sensor malfunctions, there will be water-related problems. For example, if the valve becomes stuck in the open position, water will keep flowing into the reservoir and it will overflow. On the flip side, if the valve is stuck closed, no water will enter the unit and the unit won’t steam at all.

Similarly, if the sensor malfunctions, it won’t detect the correct level of water. This will result in overflowing water or low water levels in the steamer.

Sometimes, these valves and sensors are functional, but malfunction due to limescale buildup in the unit. Other times, they are worn and need to be replaced.

You need an expert to inspect the water level system to know whether the components are dirty or faulty. The professional will suggest the right action after inspecting the steamer.

Check The Drainage System

If the water control system is sound or fixed, but your steamer is overfilling with water, the next thing to check is the drainage system.

Through the drainage system, excess water is removed to keep the right water level inside the reservoir. However, if the drainage system is blocked, water won’t have anywhere to go so the unit will overfill with water.

The blockage of the drainage system including the drain stainer is common. Over time, grease, minerals, and food particles build up on the drain stainer and the pipes of the drainage system causing a blockage. The blockage is not apparent when minor, but when it becomes significant, you notice water drainage problems and overfilling of water.

If you want your commercial steamer to function without problems, you must clean and delime it often. This will prevent all types of blockages.

However, if you clean and delime your steamer as recommended by your manufacturer, but you face drain and water blockages, you should check your water. It may be due to hard water.

Hard water means an excess amount of minerals like calcium and magnesium in water. These minerals stick to the surface of materials when water passes through. This white, yellow, or brown buildup is called scale and it’s hard to remove. This can block valves and pipes causing water problems in your steamer.

So, consult your water supply company for more details and if the water is hard, consider getting a water softening system for your facility. However, even with soft water, you must keep a proper schedule of cleaning and descaling your steamer.

Check The Door Seal Or Gasket

The door seal or gasket creates a seal around the door that keeps the steam and water droplets in the unit airtight. However, if the gasket or seal becomes loose or is damaged, there is some space for steam or water vapors to escape. Due to this, you will notice water outside the steamer and may think that it’s overfilling with water and look for water pressure but the problem could be with the door seal.

Door seals can be damaged due to usual wear and tear and frequent use of the steamer. Other than wear and tear, improper cleaning can also damage the door seal. Using harsh cleaners can cause damage to the seal and other components of the steamer. So, make sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solutions for cleaning the steamer.

Commercial Steamer Door Opening During Operation

The door of the steamer opening during operation can be a huge problem. Because of this problem, your steam might not be cooking food as expected. Another issue from this can be steam and water around the steamer.

Close The Door Latch Properly

If this happens seldom, then the person closing the door may not be shutting it properly. Make sure to close the door properly so it doesn’t open when pressure builds up inside the steamer during its operation.

Damaged Door Seal Or Latch

The door seal and latch work together to keep the door closed. If either of the two components is damaged, the door may open during operation. Have an expert check these parts to detect problems with them and fix them.

Adjust The Door Pin

We know that the door seal wears over time. Due to this, you have to adjust the door pin. If not, the door seal won’t shut the door properly and it may open when the steamer is steaming food.

You can consult an expert to know whether your unit requires this door pin adjustment. You can also read the user manual if it instructs about anything like this. If it does, then its door pin does need adjustment with time.

Look For A Clogged Drain Or Vent

A clogged drain line or vent will create pressure in the steamer which can push the door to open up. You should clean the drain line and the vent. Moreover, make sure not to attach more than two steamers to the same drain line.

Conclusion

Two common problems of a commercial steamer are overfilling with water and the door opening during operation. Now you have fixes for these problems. To avoid issues with your steamer, always consult a commercial steamer repair Fairfax technician for inspections and repairs. Moreover, clean and descale your steamer regularly to avoid clogs and blockages inside the unit. Only you use cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer of your commercial steamer.

14

Jan

How To Fix A Leaking Commercial Garbage Disposal?

A leaking commercial garbage disposal can turn your kitchen into a stinky mess and reduce productivity. So, if you notice that there is a leakage from the garbage disposal, you must either hire commercial appliances repair services for an inspection or try a few things yourself.

Determining The Location Of The Commercial Garbage Disposal Leakage

Before fixing your leaky garbage disposal, you should determine where it’s leaking from because the leakage causes differ depending on the location of the leak. Moreover, some leaks are obvious while others are not quite noticeable. During checking or fixing the garbage disposal, make sure to never put your finger or hand into the disposal because it can cause injuries.

Begin your inspection from the top. Check the upper part of the unit connected to the flange. There may be water dripping down from there. Then, move your attention to the drain pipes. Look for loose connections as they are common. However, in some cases, the drain pipe is damaged or its seal is worn. Lastly, check the bottom of the garbage disposal.

Fixing A Leaking Commercial Garbage Disposal

Leakage From The Top

If the dripping is visible from the top part of the disposer, it’s either the gasket or the disposal flange. If you can’t determine which one is leaking, hire an expert or replace both.

Replacing The Rubber Gasket

There is a rubber seal on the garbage disposal that is mounted to the flange. It becomes loose with time or due to an impact. Another reason for this rubber gasket becoming ineffective is no use of the garbage disposal and the sink for some time. The seal dries up and when it’s used after some time, it can’t stop water from leaking.

Moreover, if you ever remove your commercial garbage disposal and place it back again, you will need to use a new rubber gasket. Using the same one will cause leakage and you will have to remove it again to replace the rubber seal.

You can easily replace the gasket if it’s leaking:

  1. The first step is to unplug the power cord of the garbage disposer because you will need to remove the unit to change the rubber gasket. Moreover, disconnect the drain hose as well. If your garbage disposal is connected to your dishwasher, then remove the dishwasher drain hose too.
  2. Unlock the garbage disposal from its position. Use a wrench on the mounting nuts on the sides and move it counterclockwise. If there is another person with you, tell them to hold the bottom of the disposer because it will drop down and can be damaged if no one is there to hold it. In case no one is near you, create a support for the disposer by placing things under it so when you unlock it, it doesn’t fall on the floor.
  3. Remove the round, black gasket on the garbage disposal. Use it as a sample to buy an exact one. Put the new rubber seal on the disposer. The correct position of it is flat and inside the lip of the unit.
  4. Ask a helper to put the disposal into its position under the sink and look at it from above the sink to ensure that the gasket is sitting flat. Then, do the locking procedure of the disposer.
  5. Reconnect the drain and power cords and check the garbage disposal. If it still leaks, consult a professional.

Sealing The Disposal Flange

A disposal flange is a drain or ring that connects the disposer with the sink making sure the water and fluids go from the sink to the disposer and nowhere else. It’s sealed with plumber’s putty. Moreover, it also has a mechanism for tightening. Both of these things ensure a sealed flange.

You can try your luck by just tightening the flange. If the issue was just a loose flange, tightening will do the trick. But if the seal is worn, you will need to reseal it:

  1. You will have to remove the commercial garbage disposal. So, disconnect all of its connections. Remove the power cord from the outlet and remove the drain hose.
  2. Use a wrench on the mounting nut to move the unit counterclockwise to disconnect it from the sink. Use your leg or ask another person to hold the disposer as it becomes free.
  3. Remove the flange by removing or loosening its bolts. Pop out the clip under the flange and then take out the flange from the top.
  4. Clean the area where the flange was so the new seal doesn’t leak.
  5. Take a decent amount of plumber’s putty and create a putty rope by rolling it on your palms. The putty rope should be dense enough to fill the gap where you’re going to put it.
  6. Wrap the putty rope on the flange’s rim. Put the flange in its place and tighten its screws. Plumber’s putty dries up quickly so you don’t need to wait. During this part, if the putty rope is short and is not enough to go around the whole rim, don’t make another small putty rope to fill the remaining part because this will cause leaks. Discard the existing putty rope and make a new, larger one.
  7. Use another person’s help to keep the disposer in its position under the sink and lock it into its place.
  8. Connect its drain hose and plug it into the outlet to test.

Leakage From The Side

A leakage from the side of the commercial garbage disposal means that the drain hose is the culprit. In many cases, drain hoses are merely loose and only need to be tightened. This effectively stops the leakage.

However, if the leak doesn’t stop, have an expert to look at it. They may replace the rubber seal of the drain hose or replace the entire drain hose if it’s damaged.

Moreover, some garbage disposals have a dishwasher drain line. Check that as well because it may be loose and cause leakage. Tighten its clamp.

Leakage From The Bottom

If you notice that the water is dripping directly from the bottom and it’s not coming from the top or the sides, then it’s a huge problem. This shows that the internal seal of your commercial garbage disposal is damaged. This repair is costly and it’s only suggested if your disposer is under warranty. If not, you’re better off replacing the entire unit instead of pursuing a repair.

This is because even if you do have it repaired, there is no guarantee of how long the seal will last. You may have to deal with the same issue quite soon. So, replace your commercial garbage disposal because once you have installed a new unit, you’ll be set for years.

Conclusion

A leakage from a commercial garbage disposal can be from three different places. So, you have to determine where it’s leaking from. If it’s from the top or the side, it can be fixed easily, but if the leakage is from the bottom, you will need to replace the unit. Call in a commercial garbage disposal repair Northern VA technician to inspect and fix your disposal. The inspection will also be helpful in identifying problems that might become a huge later.

13

Dec

How To Reduce The Risk Of Restaurant Equipment Failure?

Whether it’s a rush season or not, maintaining the equipment of a restaurant is super important, especially if you don’t want things to break down on you or the chefs at the last minute. So, you need commercial appliances repair experts to inspect your equipment regularly. Here is how you can manage restaurant equipment maintenance more easily and reduce the risk of failure at the worst time.

Keep It Organized

You need to keep a maintenance list. You may be thinking: what does it mean? Well, a maintenance list is a reference list for anyone who works in a restaurant and they can use this list as a guide as to which equipment needs attention immediately, what equipment is long overdue in maintenance, and which ones can go without maintenance for today.

This also gives the workers in the restaurant a bit of an idea as to how they can maintain said equipment, even if the manager or authoritative bodies are not there.

Be Quick In Action

The key to successful management of risk, when it comes to restaurant equipment, is the fact that you’re quick in action. You don’t want to sit around and wait for the equipment to break down on you. That’s not how risk management works in the food service world.

You or the concerned expert need to be on their feet and ready to start the maintenance, way in advance, so that the restaurant can work smoothly and there are no hiccups in the restaurant kitchen operation.

Regular Maintenance

If you don’t want equipment to break down on you, it’s a good idea to keep maintenance in mind. A lot of the time, and yes that happens, restaurants managers or staff put maintenance of the equipment on the back burner and forget about it altogether.

That’s not going to lead to smoothly operating restaurants. So, you should be on top of your maintenance game. Instruct the staff members and chefs that whenever they see an appliance is slightly misbehaving, they report it to you or consult a designated professional for it.

Involve More People

It’s not just the duty of the restaurant owner or manager to take care of the maintenance of equipment unless you want all of the burden to fall on your shoulders. This is where proper training comes in handy, because the more people there are to take care of an equipment issue, the better it is.

This is why you must be training the staff and chefs to be self-reliant when it comes to equipment maintenance so that they don’t sit around waiting for help to come when they can easily take care of minor problems in the equipment on the spot and only leave bigger issues for appliance repair experts to handle.

Make A Cost Plan

Let’s be real, maintenance costs a lot and you need to spend some money if you want every single piece of equipment in your restaurant to be good and ready to go. This is why it’s so crucial to be organized when making a budget for maintenance. If you make a budget or cost plan for maintenance, it will give you a solid idea as to how much you should spend.

As you’re running a restaurant, you can also have dedicated maintenance staff or independent technicians who you can call up and have them come over and check your equipment from time to time. This is also going to be less expensive than scouring for a maintenance expert every single time because you can strike a deal with them at the first meeting.

Think Of The Future

If you’re not maintaining your equipment, just because it “costs a lot”, then you’re not fulfilling the key duty of a restaurant owner/manager. Fixing commercial equipment isn’t just about the money. It’s so much more than that. You need to think about the smooth running of the restaurant. There’s nothing more frustrating than restaurant workers who can’t work efficiently just because the equipment is not in working condition.

Temperature Checking

This is probably one of the biggest risks of an equipment failure and that’s temperature overload. If you don’t know the basics, like on what temperatures the refrigerators, freezers, etc., operate, then you’re ruining the equipment by yourself. Similarly, your staff should know important things about operating deep fryers, ovens, steamers, freezers, ice dispensers, and other appliances and how they can detect and fix some minor problems. Plus, educate the staff on temperature tracking of appliances and keeping a maintenance checklist.

If they see the slightest change in the temperature or the performance of an equipment, then it’s a good thing to be alert because something could be wrong and if it’s not fixed by an expert, things will take a turn for the worst.

Narrow Down The Equipment

Some restaurant equipment is more important than others. Here are some equipment that need to be maintained well, otherwise you’re failing at the task of managing risks.

Deep Fryers

Deep fryers are used in a majority of restaurants, if not all, and they have a lot of components that can need some attention, from time to time. This is why you need to look out for signs that show that the deep fryer isn’t working properly and that you need to maintain it. The signs can include the burners not working properly, the oil basket leaking from somewhere, the wastage of oil, and other similar things.

Ovens & Stove Tops

If you thought deep fryers hold great importance in the kitchen, then you might not know how much impact cooktops and ovens have in a kitchen. They are the working limbs of a kitchen and if they are not in an excellent shape, then that’s a huge blunder on your side.

If the burners are clogged, the knobs aren’t working properly, or the gas or electricity connections are faulty and hanging on by a thread, then you need to get to maintaining these things right away because your restaurant probably can function without a deep fryer, but it certainly can’t, if the ovens and cooktops aren’t working.

Hoods

The last thing you want is smoke filling up the entire kitchen and restaurant and the one thing that avoids all of this fuss is a stovetop hood. The hood is responsible for keeping the smoke out of the restaurant and ejecting it through a proper passageway.

However, sometimes, these hoods might also need some attention. You need to regularly check whether the pipes are clogged or not and whether the smoke is being ejected out or going through another passage.

Extinguishing Devices

A restaurant kitchen is a place where fires are always blazing, so it can be a walking hazard anywhere and anytime. So, having automatic extinguishing devices are extremely important because they can save your kitchen from being up in flames.

These devices, however, can only work properly if you maintain them timely. This is why you should make it a habit to check the detectors, sensors, and the devices themselves regularly and if there’s a slightest hint that it’s not working correctly, then off to maintenance it goes.

Conclusion

Kitchen appliances and equipment are the heart and soul of a restaurant and you don’t want to be ignoring their problems, so create an equipment care plan and share it a commercial kitchen appliance repair Alexandria expert. Moreover, experts can also suggest when to repair or inspect various equipment.

30

Nov

Getting Your Restaurant Ready For The Holiday Season

The end-of-the-year holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means. Hustle and bustle, new winter menus, and Christmas and New Years celebrations in restaurants are in full swing. So, you need to keep your restaurant, more specifically your kitchen, in the best shape for customers who are looking for delicious food and a great time. You need the right staff and must have the phone number of commercial kitchen appliance repair services on your phone’s speed dial in case any your equipment breaks down. Here’s how to prepare your kitchen for the festive season.

Decorate Accordingly

Well, you can’t expect to work during the holiday season and not decorate your restaurant to fit the spirit and theme. Decorating for the holidays is the perfect excuse to let your inner child out and deck out on the décor. Not to mention, it looks very warm and welcoming too if your restaurant is decorated appropriately for the holidays.

This is also going to bring a lot of customers in and they will appreciate the fact that you’re welcoming the holidays and the festive season with an energetic spirit. So, setting up a Christmas tree, and having ornaments, lights, and wreaths dangling from the ceiling is a foolproof way of dressing up your restaurant for the busy and fun holiday season.

Hire More Staff

This tip goes without saying, but you want to hire a few extra pairs of hands to help you out with the holiday rush. More waiters, cooks, and receptionists will make things easier around the customers.

Because of the extra staff, you will have a lot of backup, even if a few of the people decide to take the day off at the last minute and you would know how frustrating it can be to arrange help on a short notice. So, print out those “vacant positions” posters because you will need them a lot.

A Special Holiday Menu

With the holiday season comes a lot of competition and you need to be able to flair your culinary creativity, if you want to stand out from the rest of the crowd. This is where your menu can play a critical role.

Custom create new menus for each season and wow your customers. Come up with the most extravagant and hearty dishes that will attract a lot of hungry tummies to your restaurant. Now that the weather has a nice chill, it’s only appropriate to come up with dishes and sides that are going to give you a warm hug from the inside.

Keep Check Of Your Pantry

Believe it or not, you won’t have time to lift your head once the holiday rush starts, so it’s better to be prepared beforehand. You want to keep an eye on the pantry and take inventory of the things that you need and don’t need. The last thing you want is to run out of essential ingredients and get stumped in the cooking process. That’s not professional at all.

So, keep a lookout for things that are running low and order them in bulk before the holidays start because you’re going to have a hard time getting your hands on some pantry and cooking essentials as soon as the bustling season commences.

Keep The Kitchen Maintained

The restaurant kitchen is the place where all of the magic happens, so it’s only fair that you keep it in pristine condition. If there is any part of the kitchen that needs attention, then you better get to the bottom of the problem and fix it right away. The sinks, drains, countertops, and appliances should be checked as well in case they need some repairs and tweaks.

This is going to increase the productivity in the kitchen and everything will be prepared in no time to feed your customers.

Clean, Clean, And Clean

You don’t want your restaurant to be known as the place where there’s hair in the food or the dishes or tables are dirty. This leaves a bad taste in the customer’s mouth and it could ruin your reputation. While working during the holidays can be super tiring, you still want to take care of the overall hygiene of the restaurant. make sure your refrigerators, ice dispensers, walk-in coolers, etc., are clean and you’re following food safety standards.

Therefore, make it a habit to have the workspace and the dining space cleaned before opening and after closing the restaurant. Scraping the grills, cleaning the grease and grime, etc., will be a lifesaver.

Have All Of The Equipment/Utensils

This is probably the most important prep that you need to do. Your kitchen’s life and soul are the utensils and equipment that you’re using to whip up tantalizing foods and drinks. So, you have to ensure that everything in your culinary arsenal is in top shape. Some of the most important equipment and utensils you’ll need for the holiday season are:

  • Large soup pots
  • Roasting pans
  • Mixing bowls
  • Stand mixers
  • Egg beaters
  • Blenders
  • Sharp chef’s knives (a lot of them)
  • Paring knives
  • Ladles and serving spoons
  • Plates
  • Soup bowls
  • Ovens and grillers
  • Broilers
  • Pizza pans
  • Rolling cutters
  • Loaf pans
  • Cake pans
  • Beverage shakers, etc.
  • Ice dispensers

These things and many others are really important for your kitchen and they’re going to be used for almost all kinds of concoctions you whip up in the kitchen. Always remember! Less is more. You don’t need special pans or equipment to make wonderful and tasty creations. It’s time to get creative in the kitchen and make do with what you’ve already got.

A key tip to keep in mind is that you need to have plenty of these things so that each chef can use an item without having to wait for the next chef to be done. This keeps the rhythm flowing.

Get Everything Checked

Speaking of the kitchen, you also need to have all of the equipment inspected before you open your doors to the holiday rush and bustle. You don’t want any equipment breaking down on you at the last minute.

So, take some time out to repair or replace worn parts like gaskets, clogged burners, broken trays and trivets, any attachments of the mixing equipment and the list goes on. You need an expert who can inspect your equipment and tell you what needs to be repaired or replaced.

If your equipment is in good condition and maintained, then you won’t run into any unwanted problems.

You Must Have Plan B, C & D

With holidays, a huge dose of stress is always inevitable. The way you handle things during this busy time of the year makes or breaks the entire flow. Accidents and “oops” moments are going to happen, so don’t let it ruin your good spirit.

One thing that always helps is the fact that you have backup plans and options. For instance, if a stove stops working, then you should have backup handy. If someone calls in sick, then you should have extra people to cover those shifts. It doesn’t take a lot to think ahead and have a bit of cushion because it’s only going to save you from major impacts and you can go about serving the customers in your brightest mood.

Conclusion

An organized and updated kitchen equals a lot of guests leaving with their tummies filled. You’re going to thank yourself for knowing these prep tips beforehand. Well, what are you waiting for? Hire more people and get a commercial appliance repair Springfield service inspect your equipment because you won’t find time to rest once the guests come flooding in.

30

Oct

What Are The Causes Of Ice Buildup In A Walk-In Cooler?

Frost buildup inside a walk-in cooler can directly affect its performance and, if not fixed soon, it can result in damage to the vital components. So, you need a commercial appliances repair expert to inspect your walk-in cooler and determine why it’s freezing up. Here are some causes of ice buildup in walk-in coolers that will help you fix yours.

Causes Of Your Walk-In Cooler Freezing Up

Human Error

A common reason for walk-in coolers freezing up is the door is left open for too long. Why is this a problem? One of the things that triggers ice buildup inside a walk-in cooler is warm, humid air. When humid air enters the walk-in cooler, the refrigerator works harder to cool down the interior. In this attempt, the humid air turns to ice.

So, if the door of the walk-in cooler is open even for only 10 minutes, it will cause ice buildup. However, this does depend on the region where your facility is. If the air in your region is humid, icing will occur with only a few minutes of the door left open.

Usually, staff members follow the rules and keep the door closed and when they open it, they do it for a very short interval. However, during stocking the refrigerator, staff members might forget to keep the door closed or have to keep it open to bring many batches of food items inside the refrigerator.

So, instruct your staff to keep the door closed when stocking the food and bring all the food inside the walk-in cooler at once and then place it on shelves after that.

Moreover, to prevent the staff from leaving the refrigerator door open accidentally, install self-closing hinges or a door closer. Additionally, to keep the door from being open for too long in normal operations other than food stocking, instruct the employees to be sure of the items they need to take from the refrigerator or put inside it so they take less time when opening the refrigerator and performing the task.

Damaged Gasket

A walk-in cooler has gaskets in different places to keep two separate parts sealed. For example, the door has a gasket installed all over its ends so that when the door is closed, the gasket ensures that warm air doesn’t go inside or cold air doesn’t escape from the refrigerator.

Over time, these gaskets become loose, worn, or damaged. Due to this, even when the door is closed, the worn gasket doesn’t create a perfect seal. Warm, humid air keeps entering the walk-in cooler. This air turns into ice in any part of the interior and causes problems.

Faulty Door Mechanism

Gaskets wear with time, but sometimes, the door mechanism may be the culprit of ice buildup inside your commercial walk-in cooler. In some cases, the hinges become misaligned with time and allow some space that proves to be an entering point for warm air.

To check if the hinges are the cause of the problem, look for spaces near the top and bottom of the door.

Aging Or Damaged Insulation Panels

The inside walls of a walk-in cooler are covered with insulation panels. They keep the refrigerator cold by acting as a shield between the warm air outside and the cold air inside. These are sturdy panels, but they are not immune to damage and general wear and tear.

As these panels age more than 10 years, they start losing their insulation properties. This means they can’t keep the warm air outside as effectively as they did before. So, warm air keeps entering the walk-in cooler and turning into ice.

Moreover, due to improper maintenance or carelessness, these panels can be damaged during cleaning, stocking food items, or removing items. This also makes them considerably ineffective.

So, whenever, there is an ice buildup issue, have the insulation panels checked as well. Take note that when the insulation panels of your walk-in cooler are worn, your appliance is probably really old and you should consider replacing the appliance.

Issues With The Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is the component that makes your walk-in cooler or any refrigerator cold. The most common issue with evaporator coils is the icing up of the coils due to the issues mentioned above. When warm air enters the walk-in cooler, it can also reach the evaporator coils and its fans. And with time, it can freeze the evaporator coil or the fans.

In some cases, dust and debris buildup can lead to ice buildup in the evaporator coils because these coils make warm air cold. When they can’t due to dirty coils, condensation occurs more than usual leading to frozen coils.

Furthermore, the same will happen if the evaporator coils or their fans are faulty. Sometimes, the fans become faulty due to ice buildup that is because of the inflow of warm air inside the walk-in cooler. This warm air becomes ice. If this is formed on the fans, they won’t rotate, causing the evaporator coils to freeze which will lead to ineffective cooling of the walk-in cooler. This can spoil the inventory stored in the refrigerator.

Keep in mind that the evaporator coil fans can malfunction on their own as well and they will cause the same problem.

Thermostat Issues

In some other cases, evaporator coils become frozen due to thermostat issues. It could be that the thermostat is set to a temperature lower than the recommended settings which will lead to icing up of the evaporator coils.

Apart from that, if the thermostat is faulty, it might not sense the temperature correctly and may not signal the compressor to stop functioning at the right time. The walk-in cooler might start freezing everything or in the opposite case, the walk-in cooler might become too warm.

Malfunctioning Auto-Defrost Cycle

The defrost cycle removes ice from evaporator coils. These cycles are timed and occur periodically. When a defrost cycle is triggered, the compressor is turned off. Evaporator coils are installed with a small heater or heating element that begins functioning and removes ice formed on the coils. Keep in mind that a normal amount of ice formation on evaporator coils is fine and for removing it, the auto-defrost feature is installed.

However, if the defrost cycle doesn’t work or the heating element becomes faulty, the evaporator coils will remain iced up and lead to various problems like cooling issues.

Clogged Drain Line

It was mentioned in the last point that evaporator coils are defrosted. This means the ice on the coils becomes water. This water flows outside the refrigerator through the condensate or drain line. It can become clogged due to a lack of maintenance or something else obstructing the line.

Due to this, melted water from the evaporator coils and other parts of the walk-in cooler won’t be drained out. So, it will pool near the drain line. This water can freeze up.

If you see ice near the drain line only, then the drain line is either clogged or obstructed. So, clean the drain line.

Conclusion

Icing up of the interior of a walk-in cooler is not normal. It’s dangerous and can damage the evaporator coils, evaporator fans, and even the compressor. So, if you notice ice buildup in your commercial walk-in cooler, get assistance from a walk in cooler repair Fairfax technician.

18

Oct

A Commercial Deep Fryer Troubleshooting Guide

Commercial deep fryers are commonly used in restaurants and cafes. This means if they break down, you would want them fixed ASAP. The right way to fix your deep fryer is to hire a commercial appliances repair expert. However, if you or your staff want to try a few things, here are some ways to fix commercial deep fryer problems.

Commercial Deep Fryer Troubleshooting

Deep Fryer Burners Not Lighting

A problem that irritates many staff members and restaurant owners is the non-responsive burners of a deep fryer. The light pilot will be lit, but the burners won’t light.

Check The Gas Valve

If your commercial deep fryer burners are not lighting, the first thing to check is the gas valve. As the pilot light is on, the gas supply is on, but it may not be completely open. So, check the valve and make sure it’s fully open.

Sometimes, the gas valve is clogged. It might also be stuck so if the gas valve is not moving after applying force and rotating it in the right direction, let an expert have a look at it.

In case you don’t want to involve the gas valve and first want to make sure that it is responsible for your deep fryer burners not lighting, check other gas appliances. Are they lighting fine or do you notice low gas pressure? If the gas pressure is low, the gas valve should be checked. If you hire an expert, they may check the gas pipes as well.

Clean The Burner Orifice

The burner orifice can get clogged with debris and dust. This will close the small holes that allow gas out and light the burner. So, if your deep fryer burner is not lighting while the pilot light is on and you have checked the gas valve and gas pressure, clean the burner orifice. Use a stiff brush to unclog the burner orifice.

Set The Thermostat To A Higher Temperature

When the thermostat is set to a low temperature, that temperature will be reached quickly and the burner will be turned off. So, if your deep fryer burner won’t light, check if the temperature is set too low. Increase the temperature set on the thermostat to see if the burner turns on.

The Thermostat Requires Calibration

If you set the thermostat to a higher temperature and the burner doesn’t light, the thermostat requires calibration. A thermostat that’s not calibrated properly won’t correctly detect the temperature of the deep fryer. In turn, the burners might keep running when they shouldn’t or the burners won’t turn on when they should.

You should read the operator’s manual of your commercial deep fryer to know how you can calibrate its thermostat. You can also get an expert to calibrate it. They will also check the thermostat if it’s faulty or only needs calibration.

Faulty Thermostat

In case you calibrated the thermostat yourself or a staff member did it and the burner is still not lighting, the thermostat may be faulty. There is an easy method of testing the thermostat of a deep fryer using a multimeter.

Go to the back of the commercial deep fryer. You will see two terminals. Turn on the multimeter and set it to the ohms setting. After this, you need to connect the wire of the multimeter to each terminal of the deep fryer.

Check the reading on the multimeter screen. Infinity means the thermostat is fine. However, if you see a reading of zero or anything close to zero, the thermostat is faulty. Hire a professional to replace the thermostat.

Commercial Deep Fryer Has No Power

A no-power problem of a deep fryer is an electrical problem and is not related to the gas supply.

Check And Replace The Power Switch

Power switches of every restaurant appliance is used a lot so they can break over time. If a power switch is broken, the deep fryer won’t power on. Hire an expert to replace the power switch of your deep fryer.

Unplugged Or Broken Power Cord

A broken power cord won’t flow current to the deep fryer and even when the power switch is fine, the appliance won’t turn on. Check the power cord and plug it in. You should also try changing the power outlet and try another one. Plus, inspect the cord for noticeable damage, and if found, have it repaired or replaced by a professional.

Reset The Circuit Breaker

The cause of a commercial deep fryer not powering on could be a tripped circuit breaker. Access the breaker box of the building and flip it on. Sometimes, a breaker is tripped for no big reason, but in some cases, a tripped circuit breaker hints at an issue with the circuit breaker, power distribution to the circuit breaker, or the appliance.

Therefore, if you notice frequent tripping of the circuit breaker, have an electrician check the breaker box.

Commercial Deep Fryer Is Not Draining Oil

Removing old oil from the deep fryer is an important part of frying food that tastes delicious and fresh. So, if your deep fryer doesn’t let you drain old oil, you can’t fry anything in it.

The Oil Temperature Is High

Some deep fryers have the safety feature that they don’t let the user drain oil if the temperature of the oil is higher than a certain limit. Oil with a higher temperature is only safe inside the deep fryer. If hot oil is drained, it can damage the valve and the drain filter. Moreover, if the hot oil comes in contact with the user, it can cause burns.

Therefore, if your deep fryer is not draining oil and you just fried something and the oil is hot, let it cool down. When the oil is at room temperature, try draining the oil again.

Clogged Or Dirty Drain Filter

As you keep using the deep fryer and keep draining, the drain filter slowly becomes dirty and partially or completely clogged. It won’t drain oil in this situation. So, cleaning the drain filter should be one of the main deep fryer maintenance tasks for yourself or your staff.

To clean the drain filter of your deep fryer, you should empty the appliance first. Then, use warm water and a non-metallic brush to remove particles from the drain filter. Make sure to use a non-metallic brush because if you use a metallic brush, it can damage the drain filter or any other component of the deep fryer. If the drain filter is too clogged, you can also use dishwashing soap along with warm water.

Dirty Or Obstructed Drain Valve

You use the drain valve to drain the oil. If it’s obstructed or dirty, oil won’t pass through it and won’t drain. In case of partial block, oil will drain slowly, but if totally blocked or obstructed, oil won’t drain at all. Make sure the drain valve is open and completely clean.

Conclusion

Due to heavy daily usage in commercial settings, your commercial deep fryer will run into problems. With the above troubleshooting tips, you know what to check if your deep fryer burners won’t light, the fryer doesn’t power up, or if the deep fryer doesn’t drain. Some problems are easy to fix while some require an authorized deep fryer repair Alexandria expert to fix them.

08

Jul

Why Is My Commercial Ice Maker Producing Soft Or Murky Ice?

Ice dispensers are essential appliances for commercial kitchens, restaurants, and cafes. If it stops making ice or the ice quality is poor or murky, it can affect your business. This is why you should be quick in case any problems occur with your ice maker and consult a commercial appliances repair expert. If you want to fix the ice dispenser yourself that is making poor quality or soft ice, here are the common causes of this problem.

Bad Water Quality

The quality of water directly impacts the quality of ice. If you’re not using any kind of water filter for treating the water, it may be the culprit of soft or murky ice coming out of your commercial ice maker.

Hard water, which is a common issue in the US, can slowly cause huge damage to your ice maker and its ice production capacity and quality.

How Hard Water Wreaks Havoc On Your Ice Maker?

Hard water contains excess amounts of minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause scale buildup everywhere the water flows through.

This scale is responsible for the malfunctioning of various ice maker components such as the water inlet valves and water drain valves. It can cause the valves to stay open or stay closed. For instance, if the water inlet valve becomes stuck open with excess scale buildup, the ice machine will overflow with water. This can lead to the machine overflowing with ice or water leakage from the ice maker.

Similarly, if the dump valve becomes stuck open, the ice maker will keep draining water. In turn, the ice maker won’t make enough ice and the ice that will be produced won’t be of the right size or may be of poor quality.

In another case, if the water inlet valve becomes stuck closed due to scale buildup, the ice maker will trip and show the error message that there is not enough water. It won’t produce ice.

On the other hand, if limescale buildup causes the dump valve to stuck closed, the machine will keep working but will become extremely dirty in a short amount of time. This can cause many kinds of problems with the components and the ice produced will be soft or murky.

Moreover, scale buildup from hard water limits the operations of other parts of your commercial ice maker as well. For example; some ice machines have an ice thickness probe that regulates the thickness of the ice cubes. When a layer of limescale is formed on this probe, it can’t perform correctly and the ice thickness becomes irregulated.

Therefore, if your commercial ice maker is producing poor quality or murky ice, you should make sure that you’re using a water filter that not only filters out minerals but also impurities and microorganisms from the water. Because ice is also considered a food item and must be hygienic, so using a water filter is for the best of your ice maker as well as your food business.

Dirty Or Broken Water Filter

Water filters can be built in the commercial ice maker or your facility may have its own water filter. Whichever method you use for water filtration, make sure that the water filter is clean and working at its optimal condition.

Because if the water filter is dirty or broken, hard water issues will occur as we have explained in the earlier point. To avoid this, inspect the water filter. If it only requires cleaning, have it cleaned. However, if it’s broken, consult an expert so they can determine whether you should repair or replace it.

Keep in mind that even after the cleaning, repair, or replacement of the water filter, you should not begin using the ice maker. The appliance must be thoroughly cleaned first because if you detected an issue with the water filter after noticing murky ice, then the ice maker is already dirty. So, clean all the internal parts of the machine before starting its usage.

The Ice Machine Is Dirty

Even if you have a water filter and it’s clean and functional, your ice maker will collect a mild amount of scale buildup. However, if the ice maker is not cleaned at the end of every day, this mild amount can transform into a thick layer of scale that will cause problems.

So, if your ice maker is dispensing ice that is soft or murky, it’s a sign that you need to clean the ice machine. You should also consider cleaning your commercial ice maker if it’s not releasing ice or harvesting slowly.

Ice Thickness Problems

If the ice is shallow, soft, or incomplete, these can be the causes of this problem.

Ice Thickness Probe Issues

Many commercial ice makers feature an ice thickness probe that controls the thickness and shape of the ice. If it goes out of adjustment, the ice maker won’t produce ice of the correct thickness. The ice produced may be too thick, too thin, or incomplete.

For the readjustment of the ice thickness probe, check out the operation manual of your commercial ice maker. However, if it’s hard to adjust, consult an expert.

Additionally, if the ice is too thick or too thin, you should also inspect the water filter from which the water is flowing to the ice maker. A dirty or faulty water filter won’t filter out minerals that will build up on the thickness probe. With this buildup, the probe will lose its capacity to regulate the thickness of the ice.

Similarly, if you’re not using a water filter, it may be the reason for the shallow ice. Plus, get the ice maker cleaned as well.

Water Level Is Not Right

When the water level inside an ice maker is too high or too low, it impacts the thickness of the ice. You should first clean the ice maker because if the water inlet valve is stuck open or closed, this issue can be caused.

After this, check the operation of the water inlet valve because it may be faulty. Have an expert check out the valves. Moreover, request the expert to adjust the water level probe as well.

The Ice Maker Is Not On A Level Surface

Ice problems like soft, shallow, or incomplete ice can be due to the surface where the ice maker is placed. If the machine is not level, the ice produced may be of poor quality. Another sign that the machine is not in a level position is that the ice machine leaks water.

Check the floor under the ice maker. If it’s not even, move the appliance to another location. It can also be that any lower part of the machine is damaged that is preventing it from standing flat and straight.

Low Water Pressure

The ice thickness, shape, and quality depend on the water quality and quantity. If the water pressure is low in your facility, the formed ice may be soft, shallow, or incomplete. You may also notice low production of ice or no production of ice.

So, check out the water pressure in your place. If it’s low, connect with the utility company to make arrangements.

Conclusion

A commercial ice maker producing soft, murky, too thick, or too thin ice is a common problem. Clean the ice maker and the water filter and then get in touch with commercial ice maker repair Northern VA services for an inspection.

24

Apr

Reasons Why You Should Follow the Commercial Appliance Maintenance Schedule

Your commercial appliances play a key role in the success of your business. The quality of food and service you will give your clients will depend on the effectiveness of the commercial appliances. It’s crucial that you follow the laid out commercial appliance repair schedule to get the most out of your equipment. You need to work with a reliable commercial kitchen appliance repair company to make sure that your appliances are working optimally and reliably. Preventive maintenance will make sure your appliances last a lifetime

Why You Should Follow the Commercial Appliance Maintenance Schedule

  • Lower the cost of utilities

When your commercial appliances are clean and regularly serviced they will run smoothly and consume less power. Make sure that the commercial refrigerator repairs expert carries out repairs and servicing as required to keep your refrigerator working and reduce power consumption. It’s important to ensure that the refrigerator coils are properly cleaned to ensure that it’s effective.  When appliances are defective they will use up more power leading to high power bills. Follow the repair and service schedule as given by the commercial appliance service team to save on cost

  • Prevent Breakdowns

Regular maintenance and servicing will prevent your appliances from breaking down suddenly. Following the maintenance schedule will ensure fix any small issues and stop them from becoming major appliance issues. Routine maintenance will help you avoid repairs that are expensive and avoid loss of clients due to delays in serving foods. Make sure the commercial oven repair team services and check your oven frequently to avoid a breakdown that could result in a loss of business. The commercial appliance repair team will ensure that any issue is detected early and the appliance is repaired before it becomes a major issue

  • Efficiency in providing services

When your appliances are working well you can be relied on to provide good food and services. It’s critical to ensure that your appliances are working well to be able to serve food in a timely manner. Regular service and maintenance will make sure your clients keep coming for more food and that will ensure your business keep running. It’s therefore important to ensure that you carry out maintenance as prescribed by the commercial appliance repair company. It’s tempting to miss servicing your equipment because at the moment they are functioning, but that will only lead to breakdown and failure to serve that delicacy at the appropriate time.

  • Durability

Your appliances will last longer if they are regularly serviced and maintained. Make sure that the commercial dishwasher repair team checks on your appliances regularly and that will save you the cost of buying a new commercial appliance.

Make sure that you work with the best commercial kitchen appliance repair team and ensure that they train your staff on how to handle the equipment. Proper handling of the equipment will also help keep the appliances working for longer. The staff is also able to tell when the appliances are not working well and any issue can be dealt with before it becomes major.

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Appliance Repair Team

  • Preserve the Warrant and Insurance

When repairs are done by a certified technician your warranty and the insurance is preserved. If you choose to use a team that is not certified, you lose your warranty. Its therefore important that you confirm the commercial freezer repairs team is certified to avoid losing on your warranty. The certified technician also has the necessary tools and knowledge to repair your appliances without causing further damage. Your warranty and insurance are only effective if the repairs are done by a certified technician

  • Safety of your Premises and workers

Appliances have a lot of parts and need to be plugged into power for them to work. It’s therefore important to ensure they are working well to protect your employees and premises. Make sure that your appliances are repaired by the commercial appliances repair to ensure they are working as they should. Repairs should be done by a qualified technician to avoid damaging the equipment and prevent your staff from being electrocuted

  • Saves Cost

When repairs are done by a qualified technician they will save you time and money. A qualified technician will be able to diagnose your appliances and make sure that they do the repairs conclusively. Having your repairs done by an untrained technician may result in more damage and cost you much more. It’s therefore imperative that you let the professional commercial kitchen appliance repair team do the repairs.

  • Convenience

When your appliances are not working properly they cause major inconveniences. A trained technician will take a short time to repair the appliances and ensure that your business doesn’t stall.

It’s best to work with a commercial appliance repair Virginia team that can handle the various equipment in your establishment. That will save you time and money. Follow the schedule given by the repair team and that will ensure your appliances serve you for longer.

13

Apr

When to Replace Commercial Kitchen Appliances

Commercial kitchen equipment is a big investment for your business and their efficiency is paramount. Proper care and maintenance is vital to ensure that the equipment last long but its however inevitable that at one point you have to replace the kitchen equipment due to various reasons. To keep your business in profitable it’s paramount that you replace worn out appliances when the lifespan of the equipment nears its end. It’s important that you know when to order new equipment and at this point, it’s necessary that you consult t the commercial kitchen appliance repair expert on when to buy new appliances.

When to Buy New Commercial Appliances for Your Investment

  • High Repair cost

When an appliance keeps breaking down and the repair cost keeps pilling up, then its time to replace that equipment as it will not only cost you money but also time. Commercial refrigerator repairs will cost you money, time and loss of clients especially if the fridge keeps failing and there are no fresh foods. The need to keep repairing an appliance then calls for replacement as the cost of buying a new one may be cheaper than repair.

  • Repair Parts availability

The older model of the appliances may pose a challenge as the spare parts may not be available locally. The spare parts may also be available but at a high cost. To fix such appliances, it may take time causing considerable inconvenience and cause loss of business and thus a reduced profit.

  • Change in Menu

Every business goes through seasons of change and it may mean change of menu. The change will have a huge impact on the appliances that you need. You need to incorporate commercial kitchen appliance repair expert when purchasing a new equipment as they are able to advise on various issues like new technology appliances, spare parts and multi-use equipment like ovens.

  • Business Growth

Expanding business will require appliances that can handle much more. An increased sales volume will introduce the need for appliances that handle the volumes. Consult your commercial appliances repair experts on the best appliances for an expanding business. As you purchase the new equipment consider projected growth to ensure that you can use the equipment for a while before your business outgrows the appliances.

  • Safety while Using the Machines

Safety should be a priority when using any equipment and any equipment that doesn’t guarantee safety should be replaced immediately if for example a fryer is leaking of oil and you have called the Commercial deep fryer repair team several times, its time to replace the fryer. It’s important that any appliance that could be a hazard be replaced immediately.

  • Inefficient Appliances

When an appliance uses too much energy for one reason or another it’s time to replace the equipment. There are many energy saving restaurant appliances that you can buy and replace the ones that are inefficient. Other appliances may not perform as they used to due to age and require replacement to keep the business profitable. If the ice maker has slowed down and in spite of the commercial ice maker repairs specialist checking it, then its realistic to replace the appliances. Power surges, worn gaskets, rust, and griddles are some of the reasons that could cause an appliance to be inefficient.

The decision to buy new appliances is inevitable and even the commercial appliances repair expert has confirmed the need for new equipment. Below the top things to consider buying the new commercial kitchen appliances.

Factors to Consider when Replacing Commercial Appliances

  • Durability

Ensure the appliances you buy will serve for a long time. Your commercial kitchen appliances repair expert will help in choosing the best brands for your business

  • Volume and projected growth

Choose the appliances that are able to handle growth and increased volumes. Look at the projected volumes of your business or institution and consider that while purchasing the appliances. The commercial appliances repair expert will be helpful with the estimates.

  • Regulations

Consider the regulations from departments such as energy and choose models and brands that are compliant. Commercial refrigerators have seen changes over time and the commercial refrigerator repairs expert will be advice on the compliant models and brands.

Once you have installed the new equipment it’s important that all your employees are able to use them. You can invite the commercial appliances repair Virginia team to train the workers on how to use and maintain the new appliances for longevity and optimal results.

15

Mar

How to Pick an Appliance Repair Company

When your commercial oven, refrigerator, or deep fryer breaks down, it is important to find a trustworthy commercial appliances repair. You do not want to go through this stressful situation for so long, but the right provider makes a huge difference. If you have the diligence, you can locate a qualified technician. A refrigerator is able to maintain the right temperature for four hours, and the freezer is maintained for up to 2 days. That is going to buy you some time.

It is important to find a well-related specialized company when it comes to servicing your kind of appliance, and that comes with a certain reputation for providing good repairs at fair costs. Learn more now.

Do Proper Research

It is imperative to research so you can make sure the company you hire is legitimate. You can check a few websites and check the services they offer and the reviews.

Most of the repair companies are going to require a service call fee so they can diagnose your appliance. However, full payment is not needed until you have a complete service. If the part required to fix the appliance is a special order, a company might need the payment for that part only.

Confirm Their Credibility

Even if it seems apparent, it is important to confirm the appliance repair show or the professionals have the credentials they need and authorization to operate. You do not want to risk allowing someone to work on the appliance that you probably spent a lot for without any training.

Aside from that, since that person enters your home, you need to verify the company that employs them took all the important precautions before deciding. Their precautions will guarantee that the company will take full responsibility if they do something wrong.

Experience Level and Qualifications

Other crucial elements to consider when choosing an appliance repair company is their qualification and experience. You need to examine how many years a company has been operational and make sure they only recruit personnel who are well-trained. You need to be confident that the technician can understand what they are working with according to their experience. They might have dealt with a scenario with some clients. In addition, they know the critical regions that need replacement and repairs. They could also suggest that you need to have your appliance fixed if they cannot do it.

They Need to Have Insurance Coverage

You can also review policies to see if they give warranties and insurance in case of any damage. it is an awesome idea to protect you from mishaps that may happen during the repair process. However, these are uncommon because a technician cannot damage your appliances intentionally. You need to do background checks to make sure you have enough coverage.

Warranty

Another important consideration before you hire an appliance repair service is they should have a warranty. Ask if the company provides a warranty for the repair services before they employ an appliance repair technician.

In addition, you need to make sure that they adhere to the requirements of their warranty. If this is not the case, you can end up having to pay extra for any repairs. You should never decide anything unless you are sure about it.

Cost

Ask how they calculate fees, which includes their charges for parts and labor. Also, an on-site diagnosis by a technician with common replacement parts saves you time and cost. The price quotes and estimates give you predictability.

You can contact commercial ice maker repair Fairfax anytime.