Monthly Archives: "July, 2014"

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31 Jul

How Often Should A Restaurant Change Their Refrigeration Equipment?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 31 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags:

Most refrigeration units found in restaurants are either for short term food storage or for longer term storage, and most refrigeration units will give many years of trouble-free service with only a need for minimal maintenance. Nevertheless, there are a few things to look out for that could mean that the refrigeration equipment in your restaurant needs maintenance or replacement.

Most refrigeration and freezing units work along the same lines, and there are 3 important parts that when they go wrong could leave you looking for new equipment.

The Compressor

The compressor is basically an electrically powered motor which is encased in a metal container, and can usually be found outside of the unit at the back. This is one of the most vital elements to any refrigeration unit, and you need to think of it as the heart of your appliance, and if it breaks down you may well have to consider whether it is more cost-effective to replace it or just buy a new refrigerator. Due to the fact that the unit is sealed, there is little to no chance of a faulty compressor being repaired.

The Condenser Coil

Located near to the compressor, the condenser coil is a 12 by 12 inch square and often black coloured unit, which will be placed in front of a fan. The fan has two roles here, and that is to remove heat from the condenser coil, but also to help keep the compressor cool too. This area needs to be kept free from any items that may affect the flow of air, and the condenser coil should be cleaned every 3 months or so.

The Evaporator Coil

Also known as the cold coil, this is to be found inside the compartment that is refrigerated, and in most cases you will not be able to see this coil without removing a cover or two. The purpose of this coil is to distribute the cold air inside the unit, and it is another vital part of the appliance, as well as being one that can require you to replace the whole unit when it malfunctions.

In Conclusion

So, what is the answer to the question of how often should a restaurant replace their refrigeration equipment? Well, there is no definitive answer, and most commercial refrigeration units should give a number of years reliable service. However, depending on how heavy the usage is, and whether you undertake maintenance, 5 to 10 years would seem to be about the right lifespan.

23 Jul

Common Problems Caused By Lack of Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance

Posted at 12:00 AM, 23 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: ,

Making sure that you maintain your commercial refrigeration equipment is vital if you wish to extend the working life of your refrigeration appliances. Regular and effective preventative maintenance can also lower the risks of fire that can come about when a refrigeration appliance malfunctions. Keeping your refrigeration and freezing equipment maintained can help to reduce the costs associated with replacing whole units, especially if they become damaged beyond repair. They say that prevention is much better than the cure, and in the case of commercial refrigeration equipment, that statement is truer than most. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most common but preventable problems that can occur through lack of proper maintenance.

Here are some of the common problems that can arise within your refrigeration and freezing equipment if they are not maintained on a regular basis.

Fan Motor Failure

This is a problem that is caused when there is a restricted air flow around the area of the fan, which is usually a problem that is caused by dirty coils. Keeping your coils clean and free from obstruction will help to keep your fan motor from burning out.

Thermostat Failure

This is another problem that can be directly attributed to dirty condenser coils, and it usually comes about by a high amp draw.

Compressor Failure

Again, this is something that is caused by a refrigeration unit that has dirty condenser coils, as well as an excessive head pressure.

Failing and Burning Wiring

This is an additional problem that can come about due to the high amp draw, which will have been caused by dirty condenser coils and a high head pressure. Also, dirty coils can be to blame for a higher amp draw and a higher level of electricity consumption.

In Conclusion

These are just a few problems that can come about due to a lack of proper and regular maintenance, but there are many more, however, the ones listed above are among the most common.

As you can see, there are many things that can go wrong with commercial refrigeration equipment, and that is why it is so vital to make sure that you have a regular cleaning and maintenance program in place. Otherwise, you could find that your refrigeration equipment fails when you need it the most, or at the most inconvenient time.

16 Jul

Commercial Refrigeration Is Essential If You Own a Restaurant

Posted at 12:00 AM, 16 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags:

If you own or run a food or catering business, you will already know just how vital it is to have reliable and efficient refrigeration equipment. These appliances are vital if you wish to store food at the right temperature, as well as helping you to avoid cross contamination and spoilt foodstuffs. In this article, we will take a closer look at why buying the right commercial refrigeration unit for your business is crucial.

The Various Types of Refrigeration Equipment

There is without doubt a vast array of different types of commercial refrigeration units that are available to buy or rent, and the appliances you choose should depend on what your needs are. Most restaurants for example will need refrigeration and freezers that are located in or near to the main food preparation area, where they can be accessed easily. However, smaller cafe’s and coffee shops may also have a need for display fridges, which showcase the range of canned or bottled drinks that are available to buy. There may also be a need for a cake display or patisserie display unit, which are a great way to show and store food whilst at the same time keeping it free from germs and dirt.

It is for these reasons that commercial refrigeration is an extremely specialist area, and you will need to find a supplier who has a very good level of knowledge about the need for refrigeration units within the catering industry.

Other things to consider

There is much more to commercial refrigeration than simply buying an appliance, as there are a number of rules and regulations relating to the safe storage of foodstuffs that need to be adhered to. Another additional consideration is the energy efficiency rating and safety rating of the equipment, due to the fact that they will be in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days of the week.

Durability is also a necessity, as these are going to be refrigeration appliances that come in for a lot of daily use, which means the ones that you buy, should be built to the highest possible standards as possible.

Finally

The very best suppliers of commercial refrigerators and freezers will be able to advise you on the most suitable appliances for your business, as well as offering you advice on where to locate the units within your establishment.

9 Jul

4 Key Points to Remember For Air Conditioning Installation

Posted at 12:00 AM, 9 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags:

As a business owner, it is important to consider the working environment of your employees, and their comfort levels. That is why a lot more companies are now looking to install air conditioning in to their workplace, so that their employees can work in greater levels of comfort. In addition to which, if you are a shop owner, it is also important to consider the needs of your customers, and having an air conditioned shop or restaurant can really make a difference in how people feel about visiting your establishment.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 4 most important things to consider when you opt for a new air conditioning system.

Choosing a Reputable Company

There are many different companies that offer their services for air conditioning installation, and it is important that you do as much research into each company as possible. It is a good idea to make up a shortlist of air conditioning installation companies in your area, and then ask them to provide you with a quote for the job. You should also take the time to look at reviews and testimonials that have been left by people or businesses that have used their services in the past.

Get an Inspection

Once you have found a suitable and reputable air conditioning installation company, it is important that no work takes place until a detailed inspection of your premises is carried out. The benefits of this inspection will be to make sure that your air conditioning system reaches the areas of your business where you need it most, as well as helping them to provide you with a realistic quote for their services.

Size of the System

Owning an air conditioning system that is too small or too big is not going to be much use. Too small and it won’t be effective enough, too big, and it will just waste both energy and money.

Maintenance

Once your air conditioning unit has been installed, it is going to be in need of regular maintenance to make sure that it runs to maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, problems can arise, and air conditioning systems can break down, that is why it is vital that the air conditioning maintenance service that you provide is able to offer a 24/7 call out service. If they do not, and your system malfunctions, your lack of air conditioning could have an impact on your business operations.