12

Feb

Signs That Your Ice Cream Freezer Needs a Repair

It is frustrating and annoying when the freezer cannot keep your ice cream frozen, especially during summer. The freezer is among the most important appliances that people do not appreciate as much. There are a lot of fixes that keep your ice cream dry at the same time.

Your fridge keeps your items fresh and it brings you a lot of conveniences. Imagine the need to store your perishables inside a cooler on the kitchen floor or you do not have fresh ice cream from the ice maker for a beverage during summer.

In case you do not know if you need to contact an ice cream freezer repair, there are signs you must look for. Read on to know more.

Is it Set to the Right Temperature?

You must have checked that the temperature is correct, but in case you have not done that, ice cream needs the freezer temperature to be below 15 degrees F. In case you have a slider or dial control, the highest position or number must be the coldest setting.

You should know that when it comes to adjusting the temperature, or if you add or remove hot or cold items, it takes about 24 hours for the freezer’s temperature to become stable.

Condensation Build Up

If the refrigerator looks like it is always sweating, this is a sign of condensation. Condensation causes molding, which is harmful to produce that you have in the refrigerator and it can cause your family to become sick.

Therefore, if you witness these signs, you must contact an appliance repair to check out the issue. Have the person do a complete inspection and analysis to determine what is causing the condensation.

Bee-Like Compressor Sound

Are you hearing the ice-cream freezer producing a bee-like sound? If that is the case, then it is time that you need to replace the compressor coil. You must also check if the fan, evaporator, or condenser coil is working properly or not. Check for possible leaks or any freezer damage indications.

In case you find evidence, contact the experts in different fridge repairs.

The Fridge is Past its Life Expectancy

The truth is, all appliances have an expiration date and soon your fridge will give you signs that it must be repaired. Manufacturers make their profits from this. Certain parts begin to wither away after a specific time frame and then eventually your whole refrigerator becomes useless. Regardless of how good you take care of it, refrigerators have an expiration date.

Is Your Freezer Too Empty?

If your freezer only has ice cream and a few other items, you might have to put more food in so that the freezer’s temperature stays at an optimal level.

In order to stabilize the temperature and make sure there is enough airflow, the majority of freezer manufacturers recommend keeping it 70 to 85% full.

A freezer that is about 70 to 85% full causes less cold and warm air to escape and enter when you open the freezer door. Putting other frozen items inside keeps the temperature down as well.

The Freezer is Freezing Over

The freezer should freeze food and not itself. One obvious sign that your freezer is failing is when it has become so frozen that the door is sticking or ice starts forming on the side where you have to chisel it off.

In case that happens, you can defrost it by unplugging. If it continues even after defrosting, you must call a repairman.

If you notice any of these signs, you can contact commercial appliances repair VA anytime.

 

07

Jul

Steps To Keep Commercial Kitchen Equipment Clean And Last Longer

Commercial kitchen equipment is one of the biggest investments. When you purchase expensive commercial appliances, you want them to last, and hope to avoid commercial appliances repair. The ideal way of making your commercial appliance last longer is to keep them clean. Cleaning commercial kitchen equipment is time-consuming and slow process. They are bigger in size and you need to be careful while cleaning them. Also different equipment has different cleaning and maintenance needs. The best way to avoid any damage is to read the manufacturer manual for cleaning instructions.

Cleaning commercial kitchen equipment

Commercial kitchens generally consist of two types of appliances –hot side appliance and cold side appliance. The hot side appliances include commercial range, oven and deep fryer, while cold side appliances include walk-in refrigerator, commercial freezer, ice machine and ice maker. Also, there are commercial appliances such as commercial dishwasher, glass washer and garbage disposal units.

In order to maintain the performance and the longevity of your commercial appliances, you need to train your staff member on how to use each of the appliances. Then you have to prepare maintenance instructions for your staff to carefully use and maintain the appliances. At last, you need to come up with daily, weekly and monthly cleaning schedules, so that your appliance remain in tip-top condition and operate with the full efficiency.

Maintaining hot-side commercial kitchen equipment

  • Check gaskets and hinges of oven to make sure the sealing is strong. Strong sealing is important for efficiency and safety of your entire commercial kitchen.
  • All flames including pilot should burn blue. The blue flames indicate the proper burning. If the flames are not blue then there might be something wrong with your appliance.
  • Clean the food spills as soon as possible, and get rid of excess build-up on the weekly basis. These build-ups decrease the efficiency of ranges, ovens and boilers.
  • Adequately manage the oil filters of commercial deep fryers. Follow proper boil out process to extend the life span of oil used in your commercial deep fryer.

Maintaining cold-side commercial kitchen equipment

  • Check the gaskets of your cooling units to make sure the sealing is strong. Strong sealing is important for keeping safe operating temperature.
  • Defrost the ice machine on the regular basis.
  • Clean the compressors, condensers and evaporator coils of your cooling unit. You can also hire commercial refrigerators service Arlington for this task.
15

Apr

Do You Need Commercial Appliance Repair or Replacement?

Commercial kitchen appliances play important role making foodservice businesses successful. Business owners spend thousands of dollars on kitchen appliances (walk-in refrigerator, commercial freezer, ice machine, commercial ovens, commercial ranges, garbage disposal units, commercial deep fryers, commercial dishwasher etc.) to serve top quality of foods to their customer. When one the kitchen appliance stops working, chaos like situation arises in the kitchen. It is not easy to decide whether to opt for commercial appliance repair or replacement. In such situation, restaurant owners or managers should seek the most cost-effective solution.

Factors to Consider When Deciding Between Repair or Replacement

Commercial kitchen appliances are very expensive, and so the appliance repair. When you opt for the appliance repair, you have to be sure that you get the return of your investment. Otherwise, it is better to replace the appliance with new one. Ask yourself following questions when deciding between appliance repair or replacement:

How Old Is the Appliance?

There is no point of repairing the appliance that will breakdown after sometime. If appliance breakdown occur often, your kitchen activities will get disturbed again and again. When appliances become old, they not only demand repair time to time, but also lose their efficiencies. It is best to opt for appliance replacement when the appliance is breaking down frequently. On the other hand, if your appliance is new, and stopped working, you should hire a good appliance repair technician for quick and long-term solution.

What Is the Warranty?

In case your kitchen appliance is under warranty, you can get it fixed for free or at reduced price. It is important to check the manufacturer’s warranty before opting for appliance repair. On the other hand, appliance repair without a warranty could be very expensive. You will be able to save a lot of money, if your appliance is under warranty. Also, a qualified commercial appliance repair technician Alexandria will repair your appliance.

How Much New Appliance Cost?

When the expenses of appliance repair are more than half of the cost of new appliance, it is better buy a new appliance. A new appliance will come with warranty and work more efficiently in the kitchen. However, you should choose the brand, model and size of new appliance carefully to avoid the inconvenience later. It is good to consult with commercial kitchen appliance expert before purchasing the appliance.

04

Mar

What You Should Know Before Buying a Commercial Ice Maker

Every restaurant and café owner need commercial ice maker to serve chilled beverages to their customer. Commercial ice maker is an amazing equipment to harvest perfect ice cubes whenever required. According to commercial ice maker repair company, it is important to invest in the right ice machine to obtain the maximum benefit from the appliance. There are several types of commercial ice machines available on the market, but business owners need to select the right size, model, power and brand to fulfill the needs and requirements of their customers.

Selecting commercial ice machine

Commercial ice makers are just like other appliances, available in variety of size, model and price and styles. Depending on upgrades, features, and materials, their values are evaluated. Small business may simply require a basic version of ice machine, whereas restaurants with a large volume of customer base may need a big ice machine.  It is essential to understand your needs and requirements before purchasing the ice maker. Otherwise, you will end up with the wrong appliance in your kitchen.

When you think about purchasing the ice machine, you should better get some knowledge about the types of ice machines. Based on functionality, ice machines are categorized into two types –air cooled ice machines and water cooled ice machines. Air-cooled ice machines use an electric fan to operate. The fan keeps ice cold by cooling down the components of the appliance that get heated up during the refrigeration. On the other hand, water-cooled ice machines circulate water via the refrigeration system in order to reduce the heating inside the system. Air-cooled ice machines are considered more energy efficient, and can help in lowering your water and electricity costs. Whereas, Water-cooled ice machines are banned in some parts of the countries. Thus, you should do proper research before investing in any type of ice machine.

Ice machine brand and model is also important when you purchase one. Once you determine the size and type of ice machine you want, you need to think about the ice machine brand. You may find many reputable manufacturers in the market, but you need to select the best brand. Compare price, warranty, guarantee and services of different manufactures. You can also consult with a commercial ice maker repair Falls Church technician to learn more about the types, brands and models of ice machines.

30

Oct

Avoid Costly Restaurant Equipment Repair with a Preventative Maintenance Program

Commercial kitchen appliances contribute a lot in restaurant’s day to day activities. Persistent use puts the appliances at risk of issues that could result in expensive repairs and decrease the life of appliances, while impacting your efficiency to provide food to your customers. This is the reason why preventive maintenance of commercial kitchen appliances is highly recommended to avoid restaurant appliance repair. By paying attention over your expensive commercial kitchen appliances, you can avoid the appliance failure and improve the efficiency of your appliance to a great extent.

Preventative Maintenance Program for Restaurant Equipment

Restaurant kitchen is comprised of variety of appliances –microwave oven, walk in refrigerators, freezer, ice machine, dishwasher, deep fryer, beverage air and many more. The commercial appliances are different from home appliances in many manners such as functionality, size, efficiency and price. These appliances are required to be taken care differently than home appliances. Also, there won’t be any generalized way of maintaining all the commercial kitchen appliances. Each appliance has its own unique maintenance needs. In order to maintain every appliance in a proper manner, follow below mentioned tips:

  • Read user manuals properly to understand the installation, cleaning method and maintenance requirements of every appliance. Different brands have different instructions mentioned in their user manuals. So, you should follow the manufacturer’s instruction to get most out of your commercial kitchen appliances.
  • Install your appliance at proper location. For example: refrigeration appliances should not receive direct heat from the cooking appliances.
  • Make sure that every appliance gets proper ventilation, and it remains easily accessible to staff members.
  • Give a formal training to your staff on how to use every appliance. This should include explaining overall functionality of the each and every appliance present in the kitchen. At the end, it is the kitchen staff members that are going to use the appliances. So, each and every staff member should be aware of the functionality of the appliance.
  • There should be a formal cleaning schedule –daily, weekly and monthly. All spills should be cleaned right away from the appliances. The appliances should be cleaned with wet cloth at the end of the shift. Deep cleaning should be performed by staff members every week. And professional cleaning should be scheduled every month.
  • Make practice of hiring restaurant appliance repair technician as soon as any problem is noticed in the appliances.
18

Mar

How to Plan Your Restaurant Kitchen

Kitchen is one of the biggest investments while setting up the restaurants. Commercial kitchens are different from residential kitchens. The appliances and equipment used in the restaurant kitchens are bigger and more expensive. In order to setup the commercial kitchen you need more money and space. Also, you need to hire restaurant kitchen appliance repair services for selection and the placement of the appliances. You can easily buy or lease the restaurant appliances, but it is important to know which appliances are right for your restaurant.

Restaurant kitchen planning

A restaurant kitchen requires industrial grade appliances that will withstand busy restaurant traffic. The layout and design of a restaurant kitchen should allow seamless flow of food from the preparation area to the line. You should spare the sufficient space for the restaurant kitchen, so that you can properly setup appliances, countertop and walking area.

Kitchen is the most important part of your restaurant. It is the place where your menu comes to life. It is important that your staff get the world class cooking equipment, comfortable countertop, adequate ventilation and sufficient space.  In order to carry out the kitchen activities smoothly, you have to provide all these facilities to your restaurant staff. Then only they will be able to full fill the needs and requirements of your customers.

Restaurant kitchen appliances

Commercial appliances are big investment. It is important that you invest in the right brand, type and size of the appliances to earn the profit. Generally restaurant kitchen require following appliances:

Oven: Restaurant ovens are bigger and heavier. There are different types of oven for different purposes. The commercial ovens are not easy to maintain and clean. You should have both microwave oven and gas oven in your restaurant kitchen.

Refrigerator: A commercial kitchen requires various refrigeration appliances to keep food articles fresh for a long period of time. Some of the most important refrigeration appliances are walk-in refrigerator, freezer and ice machine. All these appliances are very big in size and you need the commercial appliance services for their maintenance and cleaning.

Deep fryer: Commercial deep fryer is another must-have appliance for the commercial kitchens. This appliance is used to fry potato-fires, chicken wings etc.

Dishwasher: Commercial dishwasher is very important appliance of the commercial kitchen. This appliance can speed up the kitchen activities. In order to avoid the problems with your appliance, hire professionals for commercial dishwasher repairs Alexandria.

04

Mar

All you need to know about commercial kitchen equipment

 

One of the most overwhelming tasks of setting up a commercial kitchen is handling kitchen appliances. Some restaurant owners hire commercial kitchen appliance repair services for adequate installation and placement of these expensive appliances. It is important to handle these appliances right, from the beginning. They should be installed properly and kept at the right location. Incorrect installation and placement could affect the functionality, efficiency and lifespan of your appliance.

Commercial kitchen appliance basics

If you want to setup a properly functional commercial kitchen, along with staff, you will have to invest in good commercial kitchen appliances. Your staff members are very much depended on these appliances for everyday chores. A commercial kitchen should have commercial microwave oven, commercial gas oven, coffee machine, walk-in refrigerator, commercial freezer, ice machine, commercial dishwasher and garbage disposal unit. These appliances have become essential to meet the customer requirements in the food service industry.

Purchasing commercial kitchen appliances

Price of new commercial appliances is very high. If you are investing in new appliances, make sure to buy the best appliances. Read the product review before investing money on any appliance. Go for reputable brands. On the other hand, if you are thinking about purchasing second hand appliances, hire a commercial appliance repair company and get that appliance professionally inspected.

Installing commercial kitchen appliances

Installation and placement of the commercial kitchen appliances are tricky. The appliances should be installed in a manner that they remain quickly accessible to staff as well as perform efficiently. No two appliances should interrupt the functionality of each other. For example: Commercial refrigerators should not be placed near the commercial ovens or fryers.

For the best installation, hire the commercial appliance services. The professionals know how to handle the placement and installation. They can make the entire process of commercial appliance installation easier right from the unpacking the appliance to bringing them functional state and everything in-between.

Maintaining commercial kitchen appliances

Maintenance of commercial kitchen appliances is an important task. You are required to keep your appliances in good condition to increase their life-span and efficiency. All kitchen appliances perform different task, and thus maintenance needs of different appliances are different. For example: you need victory refrigerator repair services Alexandria for refrigerator repair and commercial microwave oven repair service for oven repair. Hiring professional services for regular cleaning and inspection is necessary to know about the actual condition of your appliances and preventing expensive repairs.

10

Dec

The Do’s and Don’ts of Commercial Cooking Equipment Safety

Earning Profit in food service business can be tricky, especially when you have to look after plenty of commercial equipment to run a kitchen. Just like chef, staff and food, commercial appliances are equally important part of the commercial kitchens. It is your responsibility to hire commercial appliances service to keep your kitchen in good condition.

Commercial Cooking Equipment Safety

Plenty of appliances run at the same time in the commercial kitchens. Each appliance has its own task to do in the process. Whether it is commercial freezer, icemaker, ice machine, microwave oven, dishwasher or garbage disposal unit, every appliance has safety risk associated with it. In order to make your commercial kitchen a safe place for your staff, you should pay attention over commercial cooking appliances safety.

Convection Ovens

Burns, flames and hot spill liquids are some risks associated with the convection ovens. When it comes to operating and maintaining commercial ovens, you should take care of these dos and don’ts:

Do:

  • Use the right pans and pots to avoid food from spilling over.
  • Make use of dry oven mitts while handling hot pots.
  • Clean all spillage inside the oven.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t leave ovens on all the time.
  • Don’t leave oven doors open.
  • Don’t store plastic items in convection oven.
  • Don’t overload the oven.

Microwaves

Electrical shock, Scalds from hot food and Microwave radiation are some risks associated with microwaves. When it comes to operating and maintaining microwave ovens, you should take care of these dos and don’ts:

Do:

  • Read manufacturer’s guidelines on equipment use.
  • Clean the dirt, grime and grease from your microwave.
  • Turn off the equipment immediately if you notice food ignites or sparks.

Don’t:

  • Don’t use microwaves with damaged doors. This could result radiation emission.
  • Try to avoid cooking in sealed container.
  • Never microwave food in plastic containers.

Commercial deep fryer

According to commercial deep fryer repair technicians, fire, burn injuries and scalds from contact with fryer are some risks associated with this appliance.

Do:

  • Let oil to cool down before handling.
  • Do train your staff about how use and maintain of the commercial deep fryer.
  • Do clean nearby greasy surfaces.
  • Do turn off the heat source immediately in case of emergency.
  • Do remember to use protective equipment while working on the deep fryer.

Don’t:

  • Do not overheat the oil.
  • Do not overfill the containers.
  • Never splash water or hot oil.
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.

16

Mar

Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Kitchen Appliances

Running a business in the food service industry can be stressful and daunting at times. One of the most essential things you can do to avoid small problems from becoming big messes is scheduling regular commercial kitchen appliance maintenance. Even if you are familiar with basics of keeping up with your kitchen appliances, it is always good to hire commercial appliance services. The professional cleaning and inspection will help you a lot in keeping your expensive appliances in tip-top condition.

Everything you should know about commercial kitchen appliances

  • In case you don’t understand anything about your commercial kitchen appliance, refer to the user manual provided by the manufacturers, as different appliances have different maintenance needs. You can also browse online for detailed information, tips, guidance and e-manuals.
  • Always educate your employees about the commercial appliance. They should know the best, safest and the most efficient methods of using the commercial appliances. You should also make daily cleaning a mandatory task. Regular cleaning will not only keep your appliance in good condition, but also maintain a hygienic aura in your commercial kitchen.
  • Nowadays maximum appliances are made from stainless steel. Make sure to follow easy but effective methods to clean stainless steel. Prevent spills, stains and scratches.
  • Whether your appliance use electricity or gas as power source, make sure to follow energy efficient practices.
  • When it comes to commercial refrigeration appliances such as walk in refrigerator, ice maker, ice machine or freezer, it is important to maintain the right temperature. Keep check on the temperature settings.
  • Commercial ovens should be cleaned on the regular basis to maintain the quality of food. Your employees should make habit of cleaning oven after every use.
  • Follow all safety measures to avoid accidents at your work place.

Hire commercial appliance services

Commercial kitchen appliances play an important role in flourishing the food service business. If you want to carry out your business operations without any interruption, you should hire commercial appliance technicians for regular cleaning and inspection. These professionals know how to keep commercial kitchen appliances in healthy working condition. They have knowledge about various appliances used in the commercial kitchens.