A well-maintained
walk-in cooler is the only thing that stands between your restaurant and
copious amounts of spoiled food. That being the case, it’s in you and your
patrons’ best interest that your eatery’s cooler remain in tip-top condition.
Luckily, as long as you’re consistent in performing basic upkeep, you should
have no problem keeping your cooler in working order. In your efforts to keep
your cooler operational, take care to tend to the following tasks.
Keep the Door Closed
While keeping the
doors firmly closed may seem like a no-brainer, a surprising number of walk-in
coolers break down as a result of doors continuously being propped open. Unless
someone is inside the cooler, the door(s) should remain shut. As is the case
with refrigerators, leaving doors open for extended periods wears out
compressor motors, effectively preventing coolers from functioning
properly.
Perform Regular Gasket Checks
Every few months,
make a point of checking the gaskets located between the cooler panels. This
will enable you to monitor for cracks and other signs of wear. If you come
across any gaskets that look particularly weathered, it’s strongly advised that
you promptly replace them. Fortunately, O-Reps, the Web’s foremost purveyor of walk-in cooler accessories
offers amazing deals on high-end gaskets from a wide range of well-known
manufacturers.
Keep the Lights Off
Just as you need to
keep the door(s) shut, make sure to turn off the lights when no one is inside
the cooler. Lights produce heat, which makes the compressor motor work harder
to account for the increase in temperature. Like opened doors, lights that are
left on can lead to prematurely kaput compressors.
A faulty walk-in cooler can mean big problems for your
restaurant. In many respects, functional coolers are the most important tools
an eatery has, so it behooves responsible restaurateurs to keep them in good
condition.
