21

Aug

List of Appliances Used in a Commercial Kitchen

A commercial kitchen is consisting of many types of appliances that are required to prepare food for hungry customers. The appliances are the important part of the commercial kitchens.  Many of the commercial appliances are the same as home appliances, but in a commercial kitchen setting these equipment are larger and more powerful to be capable to prepare larger batches of meals for the cafeteria’s or restaurant’s customers. The commercial kitchen appliances demand more maintenance than home appliances, as they are used more. You need to schedule commercial appliances repair as soon as you notice any problem to prevent the expensive repair or replacement.

Learn about commercial kitchen appliances

Different commercial appliances serve for different purposes. All the appliances have their own significance in the commercial kitchen setting. The appliances not only ease the work of your staff, but also increase the efficiency of your kitchen.

Commercial ovens

A commercial oven is the most used appliance in any type of commercial kitchen. This appliance is required to heat food to cook or warm. There are many type and size of ovens available to full fill the different needs of the different commercial kitchens. Ovens used in a commercial kitchen are normally bigger than the domestic ovens so that more food can be prepared at the same time. Depending on your requirements, you can opt for gas oven or electric oven.

Commercial refrigerators

A commercial kitchen requires different types of refrigeration units to operate efficiently. A refrigeration unit is set to a specified temperature to store vegetables and beverages. For convenience, commercial refrigeration units are made from glass doors so that staff can see the food they require from outside and need not have to spend time opening and closing the door, which can expose the stored food to warmer temperatures, tempering the freshness of the food. In order to keep food fresh for longer time, it is important to pay attention over commercial refrigerator maintenance. You can take help of ice cream freezer repair services Vienna to keep all your refrigeration units in tip-top condition.

Commercial ice machines

Commercial ice machines serve one purpose –make ice in large quantity for the kitchen. These machines first prepare ice from water and then split the ice into smaller cubes. Ice machine is small yet necessary part of the commercial kitchens.

22

May

Buying and Maintaining an Ice Maker Machine

All food business establishments need to invest in an ice maker. They have drinks in their menu, and a lot of them have to be served ice cold. That is why it is important for food businesses to have well-maintained ice maker machines. But for sudden machine breakdowns, a commercial ice maker repair company should be called immediately.

Factors to consider when choosing an ice machine

There are ice maker machines for every customer needs. It depends on where you will use the ice machine. It is also important to address issues including commercial appliances repair. This is to ensure that business will be in usual operation.

What ice machine size will you need?

Since we’re talking about commercial or industrial use, let us assume that you will need a large ice machine. You should determine the average ice quantity you use daily. Include a buffer amount of ice that will be good for around a week. From there, you can determine what ice machine bin size you will need.

What ice shape will you need?

Among common ice shapes used in commercial establishments include:

Cubed

This type of ice is mostly used in restaurants and bars. These are the ones you see in most cocktail drinks and any beverage put on clear glasses. They also melt slowly and cool faster than other ice shapes. Cubed ice is also used in cooling, bagging, and other commercial purposes. There are full ice cubes, half ice cubes, and regular ice cubes.

Nugget

This one is more chewable due to its smaller size. It is also the preferred ice shape within the health care industry. Nugget ice is also used for salad bars, smoothies, and cold food bars.

Flaked

This is also used in the health care industry. However, it is more widely-used for food presentation purposes. They cool quickly and are used for seafood markets, buffets, and salad bars. Likewise, it can be used for smoothies and blended drinks.

What traits should I look for in an ice machine?

Brand

Each ice maker brand boasts of its unique selling proposition or USP. One brand may be known for its high-quality make, while another one is an award-winning brand. Meanwhile, another brand claims to produce the best ice flakes. The other one offers cost-efficient ice machines for customers. Choose the one you think will be beneficial for your business.

Power source

It is also important to know the ice machine’s power source. It depends on the machine’s configuration. Also, ensure to check the specs manual so you won’t get lost on its electrical configuration and other features. Find commercial freezer repair services near your area in case of machine breakdown.

Eco-friendly

If you are able to find ice machines that are energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly, then good for you. Useful tip: choose air-cooled or remote-cooled ice machines because most of them have the Energy Star seal.

Filter

Some ice machines do not have a water filter. While a water filter may not be a definite requirement, it may not remove sediments, bad taste, and odor on ice. Water filters can help produce cleaner ice. Make sure to have it cleaned or repaired by professional ice dispenser repair service providers.

Warranty

A good ice machine should have a warranty of about 3 to 5 years. This should cover labor and parts, evaporator and compressor. Ice machines are also expected to last more than 10 years. To ensure longevity, make sure to address repair needs immediately and contact commercial ice maker repairs personnel.

Keeping the ice maker machine in good shape

To maintain its overall functionality and longevity, here are some tips to keep the machine up and running for longer.

  • Invest in a high-quality ice machine especially if it’s for commercial use.
  • Replace the water filter (if the ice machine has one) regularly to ensure cleanliness and improved function.
  • Schedule periodic clean-up for your ice machine.
  • Avoid using damp cloth when cleaning the ice machine. It can cause electrical failure or other damage.
  • Eliminate molds and ice plaques.
  • Call your local commercial appliances repair services in case of machine breakdowns.

Conclusion

Ice machines are important for both food and non-food businesses. It is only reasonable to take good care of this important business investment. For repair needs, contact a service provider that offers commercial freezer repairs in Northern VA.

02

Apr

Common Problems of a Commercial Ice Cream Freezer

The last thing ice cream shop owners want is to have a malfunctioning ice cream freezer. Commercial equipment such as ice cream freezers is designed to be used for long hours per day. However, these kinds of equipment are also prone to potential damage just like any other machines. That is why it is important to choose a reliable ice cream freezer repair company in case your machine breaks down without warning.

Common Ice Cream Freezer Issues

If you love ice cream and want to cater to ice cream lovers as well, an ice cream freezer is an important investment for your business. There are a lot of ice cream freezer machines out there, so it’s important to choose one that will last you for years. But at some point, calling commercial freezer repairs services may be necessary.

As mentioned, all commercial equipment is prone to sudden breakdowns even though they are meant to last for long hours of usage. Having malfunctioning equipment can stress you out because it can greatly affect your business. In the event of equipment breakdown, you should call professional repairmen immediately to save your day.

Among common ice cream freezer issues you need to watch out for include the following:

  1. Power

If the freezer function does not work, it may be due to a defective power source so make sure to check if the power cord is plugged in properly. Also, check whether the cord is damaged or the fuse is working properly. If one or both of these show signs of damage, they should be replaced immediately. But if you think the freezer itself is broken, you should contact a commercial kitchen appliance repair service provider immediately.

  1. Light

If your ice cream freezer lighting does not turn on or off, check whether the lamp and lamp socket has any damage or signs of corrosion. In such cases, you should replace them immediately.

  1. Thermostat

Aside from power issues, your ice cream freezer may also have problems with the thermostat. The latter may be the reason why the machine does not cool up the way it should do. You can try adjusting the temperature to check whether the thermostat is working properly.

  1. Compressor

If the compressor is producing a bee-like sound, consider replacing the compressor coil. Also, check whether the fan, evaporator, and condenser coils work as well. Make sure that the coils do not have leakages. For early signs of freezer damage, have it checked with professional ice cream freezer repair companies near you.

The importance of defrosting a freezer machine

Freezer machines including commercial ice cream machines, ice makers, and refrigerators all have a self-defrosting mechanism. This function is meant to melt excess ice, to maintain cleanliness, and to maximize the freezer’s function. It is important to defrost regularly and have the freezer checked by commercial ice maker repairs companies as well.

On one hand, you can do the defrosting yourself. As mentioned, most freezer machines have a self-defrosting mechanism for easier ice melting and cleaning. On the other hand, you can also hire commercial refrigerators repairs specialists to help you with defrosting.

These professionals can also provide additional tips on proper care for your commercial ice cream freezers. Also, make sure to determine your machine’s maximum capacity to prevent premature damage and additional stress on your part.

Impact of icing problems to your freezer machine

Not defrosting your freezer can cause problems on your machine in the long run. That is why it is important to defrost regularly. Ice build-up may be due to improper sealing or leaving the equipment’s door not properly closed. Apparently, warm air from the outside causes icing issues.

Ice buildup may also occur on your evaporator coil due to fan problems. Likewise, ice can also form on the freezer’s insulation panels that can cause equipment malfunction and even take a toll on your utility costs. The latter can happen especially if the machine is more than a decade old.

If left ignored, it can damage its components and eventually the machine itself will be deemed useless. It may also be beyond repair and you may have to buy a new machine, which can be quite expensive, by the way.

Hire professionals now

For any signs of freezer malfunction, don’t delay – call the best commercial kitchen appliance repair in Fairfax now. Let the professionals do their job – and learn additional tips for taking care of your commercial ice cream freezer machine. After all, it is an important investment, so you have to take care of it as well and serve you for many years.