If you own a commercial business, especially when it comes to a restaurant, you need to have a walk-in freezer that keeps food items fresh until they are cooked and served to the customers. This means these units tend to play an important role in building the reputation of your brand. But, sometimes, walk-in freezers tend to run into problems. One common issue amongst walk-in freezers is not being cold enough. There could be a variety of reasons for it so you should hire a commercial freezer repair technician for it. Here are the potential causes of this issue and how to fix and prevent it in the future.
Overstuffed Freezer
A common reason walk-in freezers might not feel as cold as they are supposed to be is due to overstuffing. The thing with freezers is that they come with built-in racks to help organize the food items.
This is why you see different labels to help the user place the right type of food item in a specific place to ensure as many food items can be stored as possible.
But, sometimes, users tend to go overboard with it. No matter how much space there is inside the walk-in freezer, this does not mean that you overstuff the unit with food items until it cannot breathe or circulate the cool air properly. People think that overstuffing the freezer is going to help keep relatively more items fresh.
The fact of the matter is that you will be hindering the circulation of cool air. As a result, you shall come across some spoiled food items as well. That said, make sure that you do not overstuff the freezer and place the food items where they belong, allowing proper circulation and distribution of air.
Dirty Condenser Coils
The walk-in freezer comprises several different components that work together as a time to keep the food items fresh. One of the major components happens to be the condenser coils. Both the condenser and evaporator coils tend to become hot due to warm air being produced as a byproduct of the cooling process.
These coils are designed to dispense hot air and keep themselves cool. But, with time, the accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris prevents heat dispersion. This can become a difficult situation for the coils as they will become hotter and eventually malfunction.
This is why it is important that you clean your commercial refrigerator, including the coils, frequently. These components do not come cheap and aren’t readily available sometimes as well as you will have to contact the manufacturer.
Therefore, sparing some time to remove and prevent the layers of dirt, dust, and debris from accumulating will help keep the unit trouble-free.
Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat can be a potential reason but it does not happen often in new and modern units. The reason is that modern walk-in freezers come with built-in and pre-programmed thermostats that are quite efficient and effective. You do not need to manually adjust the temperature as they keep track of it themselves and adjust accordingly.
But, if the unit was recently serviced, it could be that the thermostat lost its calibration. In such a case, the thermostat will not be able to maintain the temperature as it will simply be confused. That said, you should not worry and instead contact the expert to re-calibrate the thermostat.
And, if the walk-in freezer has an aftermarket thermostat installed, you will need to check its batteries. If replacing the batteries does not work, you will need to change the thermostat.
Defective Compressor
A defective compressor is a relatively easier problem to fix but a very expensive one. The compressor is considered as the heart of the unit and if it malfunctions due to some reason, the walk-in freezer will not be able to produce cool air.
The way the compressor works is that it utilizes the refrigerant, stored in a specific amount in the freezer. It could also be that the refrigerant is leaking due to rust and other reasons causing the compressor to malfunction. If you notice the compressor constantly tripping, it means either the refrigerant level is low or the compressor is faulty.
So, you will need to consult a walk in cooler repair Clifton expert who will check the compressor for cracks, damages, or leaks and refill the gas. If you plan to do it on your own, keep in mind that finding small leaks and cracks in such situations is close to impossible sometimes.
Damaged Or Worn Seals And Gaskets
Walk-in freezers come with seals and gaskets that are made of plastic and rubber to keep the air inside from escaping and preventing the air outside from entering. With time, as the freezer is used and due to wear and tear, the seals and gaskets tend to become leaked or cracked.
This will cause the cool air to escape and the temperature inside to drop. At the same time, it will be difficult for the unit to maintain the temperature and it will work harder than usual to achieve it. This will utilize a lot more electricity than usual and lead to hefty energy bills as well. So, replace the gasket of your walk-in freezer.
The Door Is Not Closed Properly
Sometimes, freezer problems can be due to simpler reasons like the staff member not properly closing the door. This will allow warm air in and the freezer won’t keep the items cool or frozen. So, instruct your staff to always double check when they close the walk-in freezer door.
Does Professional Maintenance Help?
The only way you can avoid these issues is by scheduling professional maintenance. It is a common misconception that professional maintenance is just limited to cleaning. It goes deep inside the unit and involves checking for minor faults, repairs, and replacements that might cause bigger issues in the future.
This is why professional maintenance is important and needs to be performed frequently. A professional is supposed to perform a thorough inspection of the unit and clean it inside out. In other words, you can simply say it is an investment to keep complications at bay and keep your business running smoothly.
How To Find The Right Professional?
Finding the right professional is as important as getting the unit frequently maintained. There is no point in scheduling professional maintenance if the one performing it is not experienced or skilled enough. While finding the right expert, you will come across many services and companies.
It may be tempting but you should not go for someone who is quoting cheap rates. Instead, you should find out the market average and pick someone who is licensed, certified and possesses the knowledge and skills to carry out the task.
If possible, you should personally visit them or interview a bit over a phone call. This will help you narrow down the options and pick the best one. Plus, you can also ask your friends and family members for referrals.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting a walk-in freezer that is cold enough could both be simple and tricky to fix. But, if you were to keep the information mentioned above in mind, you would be better prepared to handle unexpected problems and situations. Above all, always make sure that your walk-in freezer gets the professional treatment it deserves. So, find the right commercial refrigerator services Arlington for repairs and maintenance.
