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In addition to your warranty coverage, it is important to purchase equipment that has a responsive
service department to ensure your needs are met and parts are available should the inevitable
occur in the future. A conversation with your RED Dealer can be helpful to gather insight into
manufacturers that support their equipment. While pricing can be indicative of what you are
buying, it’s important to recognize that support for challenges faced can often mean more than
getting a good deal or buying used refrigeration from an online marketplace.
The operation of your commercial refrigeration heavily depends on how well it is maintained and it is
generally not maintained well by kitchen staff if servicing the unit requires tools or is hard to access.
Cleaning in commercial kitchens often covers floors, surfaces and all areas that can be seen regularly.
Coolers and freezers are often wiped out and cleaned well but what about gaskets and internal
mechanical parts & coils? Vacuuming out the condensing coil is a simple way to keep the system
operating at it’s best. If the coils develop a layer of dust or debris or even flour, for example in a bakery
setting, the system must work harder to keep things cold. A simple wipe of the door gaskets weekly
will keep them from building up grime and keep them sealing evenly and completely. Listen to your
refrigeration systems as well. Slight ticking can be a bent evaporator fan that is preventing the fan from
operating at it’s best.
In addition to things that your staff can do to ensure coolers and freezers are running at their best,
manufacturers recognize that they can assist in this process as well. For example, Habco Manufacturing
offers a Cassette® refrigeration system that is completely self-contained, easily removable and
upgradable. This makes it easier to get in and clean the system regularly by staff by pulling out the
refrigeration cassette but it also allows a service technician to completely remove the refrigeration
components on a unit that is having issues and replace it with a new cassette so they are up and
running in a matter of minutes vs days or sometime weeks when parts are challenging to get or a leak
can’t be located.
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
Habco ESM41HC unit, with the bottom “cassette” pulled out.
Keep in mind that wear parts such
as gaskets are not usually covered
under warranty. A slice or damage to
a door gasket can lead to ineffective
cooling in the cabinet and would require
replacement before other parts of the
refrigeration system start to fail from
constant running of the compressor
to keep the system cool. Other
advancements in manufacturing include
free and clear coils, variable speed
compressors, self-cleaning condensers
and coated coils to ensure the longevity
of the units in the demanding world of
commercial foodservice. Your local RED
Dealer can help you navigate through
these to ensure you are getting the best
option for your establishment.
• The #1 reason for compressor failure is dirty condenser coils. Set up a routine for regularly
cleaning the coils to maximize your refrigeration investment.
• Fill up freezers as much as possible without overfilling it, but not refrigerators. If the freezer
isn’t full, consider keeping cases of water in the cabinet. The products keep themselves
frozen requiring less work by the compressor.
• Regular equipment inspections can save a lot of money. For example, a slice or damage
to a door gasket can lead to the refrigeration system working much harder and premature
failure. A gasket is much cheaper than a new compressor!
PRO TIPS
A well designed cooking line for the Ribeye Butcher Shop in St Alberta, Alberta. HESCO from Calgary &
Edmonton, Alberta designed and built this effective layout maximizing space in a small footprint.
Visit HESCO at www.hesco.ca