Simple Issues – Walk-In Cooler Problems

Have you been experiencing issues with your walk-in cooler? If the answer is yes, there may be a simple answer to your problems. Take a look at the following:

• Latches – One of the simplest explanations is to check the latches. When the door latch is not working properly, your door may be open – even the smallest bit. If this is the case, then the cooler will start working overtime to make sure that it’s cooling properly. This will increase your energy bill and may cause your motor to overheat and dies.
• Gaskets – Another simple issue that may be causing your cooler or any refrigerator to not work properly is gasket issues. Take a look at the gaskets around the door – if they are damaged or not there, then that may be the source of your problem. To prevent issues from happening, make sure you regularly clean your gaskets and replace them when they are damaged.
• Hinges – If a hinge is loose or no longer attached to your cooler, you have a problem. These hinges are a vital part of your cooler, making sure that the door closes properly and stays closed. It’s vital that you keep an eye on the hinges, making sure that no one on your staff is too rough.

From cooler door gaskets, latches, and hinges to lights and handles, O-Reps has everything you need to repair and upgrade your walk-in cooler.

Taking Care of Wire Refrigerator Shelving

Whether you have a spill in the walk-in cooler or are just trying to tidy up your refrigerator, it’s important to keep up with the wire shelving. To clean your shelving, you can do the following:

1.       Remove all shelving from the refrigerator, freezer, or cooler.

2.       Put the shelves into a bathtub or large wash basin and clean them with standard dishwashing soap and steel wool. It’s vital that you do this to get rid of all of the food and grease off.

3.       Let your shelves sit outside and dry.

4.       Replace the shelves and enjoy your nice clean cooler, freezer, or refrigerator.

It’s really that simple. Before you get started, you should take a look at the shelves and make sure that you have the proper tools to remove them. Having all of the tools together ahead of time makes the job easier.

If even cleaning won’t help your shelves, you can get new ones when you shop online with O-Reps. Our business is proud to provide you with a huge array of commercial refrigeration parts for your coolers, refrigerators, and more, as well as door gaskets, PVC curtains, and more. Read about the items we have for sale and place an order today.

Infrared Grills – How Do They Work?

Whether you are considering investing in an infrared burner or have been using one for years and are just not sure how they work, infrared grills fascinating technology that can change the way you cook. Originally created in 1961, these grills had been very expensive and only used in commercial restaurants. Once the patents expired, it allowed the average chef to gain access to this fascinating technology. Even though they are more common, many restaurants rely on these cooking surfaces.

These grills work by using infrared technology as the heat source. Unlike other grills and burners, which use flame or electric sources for heat, these grills feature an infrared element that allows you to cook meat and other food in a uniform manner. These grills are also very versatile, allowing you to fluidly move between high and low temperatures. Any chef who has worked with standard gas and electric grills knows that this can simply and easily speed up the cooking process.

Come to O-Reps when you are looking for new infrared burners. Our business is proud to provide you with a huge variety of both hot and cold side equipment parts, hardware, and accessories. Helping you keep your equipment in working order is our top priority.

Using a Walk-in Cooler for Your Catering Business

Whether your business is large or small, it’s important to have a dependable cooler for any catering company. A walk-in cooler is a smart investment for your catering company for a variety of reasons:

• Prepare for Each Job in Advance – It doesn’t matter if you are in the middle of the busy holiday season or just have a lot of wedding receptions booked at once, a walk-in cooler is vital. Having this space allows you to keep everything together without having to worry about stuffing your refrigerators.
• Get Ahead of Your Prep Work – In addition to making sure that you have plenty of storage for your upcoming jobs, you can use your walk-in cooler for your prep work. A cooler allows you and your team to prepare ahead of time and keep everything at an optimal temperature.
• Follow Regulations – Having a walk-in cooler allows you to follow your local food handling regulations. With these coolers, you will have the room you need to properly store your food and keep it at the right temperature.

When are in the market for walk-in cooler parts, you can rest assured that O-Reps will provide you with a wide array of selections at a price that you can afford. Take a look at our selections and place an order today.

3 Tips for Using Infrared Burners

In recent years, a substantial number of restaurants have begun ditching traditional grills in favor of infrared burners — and there’s little wonder as to why. In addition to heating up quickly, infrared grills are easy to clean and cook meat far more evenly than most old school grills. Restaurateurs who are thinking about investing in infrared burners would be wise to read up on them before making them a permanent fixture in their respective kitchens. Anyone eager to learn more about infrared burners is sure to benefit from the following pointers. 

1. Get Used to Fast Heat Times

Incredibly fast heat times are among the primary advantages of infrared burners. Since these burners heat up far more quickly than traditional grills, it’s important that your kitchen staff promptly grow accustomed to this. More infrared burners are fully heated within one to two minutes, meaning they’re essentially ready to go immediately after being turned on.

2. Avoid Thin Cuts of Meat

Because of how hot they burn, infrared burners are primary designed to cook thick cuts of meat, like pork chops and steaks. This isn’t to say that they absolutely can’t be used to cook thinner cuts, but more often than not, this is likely to result in charring and overcooking.  

3. Be Wary of Overcooking 

As previously stated, infrared burners are incredibly powerful. With this in mind, your kitchen staff will need to be particularly wary of overcooking. A good infrared grill is able to cook meat much faster than a traditional one, so it’s very important that your preppers keep a watchful eye on every entrée in order to prevent overcooking.  

Infrared burners hold a number of advantages over traditional grills. Fast heat times and fast cook times combined with evenly-cooked, flavorful entrees make these convenient burners a must-have for any busy restaurant. When it comes time for your eatery to make the switch, make sure that both you and your staff are well-versed in the previously discussed tips.