Refrigeration 101

Commercial equipment can be intimidating, full of intricate parts and powerful systems. That’s why we are here to help you learn everything you need to know about refrigeration equipment. Learn the basics of commercial refrigeration and get a better understanding of your appliance with our helpful guides. We’ll have you become a refrigeration expert in no time with our refrigeration 101 guide, so follow along below to get a grasp on maintenance, safety tips and more. 

Buying Considerations

What do you need to consider when shopping for refrigeration units? From size and capacity to the type of refrigerator, there are a variety of details you need to go over. Your largest buying considerations should include:

• Type of refrigerator
• Size
• Interior capacity
• Type of door
• Energy efficiency
• Technology
• Condenser mount
• Cooling system
• Budget 

Preventative Maintenance Essentials

Proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of commercial refrigeration equipment. It keeps equipment running at its best, prevents malfunctions and can extend the life of the unit. We have a variety of commercial refrigeration maintenance tips, but some of the important cleaning areas include:

• Interior cleaning - Wiping down walls and interior surfaces is essential, especially if anything has spilled or leaked
• Exterior cleaning - Cleaning the exterior, whether it’s stainless steel or other materials, is important to keep units sanitary
• Cleaning glass doors - Glass doors, like ones in merchandisers, require frequent cleaning to prevent build-up
• Removing expired product - Always remove any expired product on a routine basis
• Cleaning drain lines - Drain lines need cleaning to prevent build-up from clogging them and causing malfunctions
• Removing and cleaning shelves/drawers - Removable parts like shelving and drawers also need to be cleaned to keep storage surfaces safe and sanitary
• Monitoring temperatures - Monitoring temperatures is essential preventative maintenance to ensure the unit is working as intended
• Wiping gaskets - Some gaskets like door gaskets can be gently wiped to ensure that they seal tightly
• Replacing old gaskets - If gaskets are worn out, they need to be replaced so the door can seal properly and keep internal temperatures steady 
• Cleaning condenser coils/evaporator coils - Condensing coils usually require vacuuming to prevent build-up from causing airflow malfunctions

The type of cleaning chemicals and tools used depends on the refrigeration brand you purchase. For basic and general surface cleaning, a soft cleaning cloth, mild dish soap and warm water is often recommended. 

Different types of refrigeration equipment also might require different cleaning steps, depending on the type. Cleaning a reach-in refrigerator might include extensive interior cleaning while an undercounter refrigerator and freezer could require defrosting or polishing the top of the unit. Make sure you follow your unit’s manual on preventative maintenance to keep it maintained. 

Safety Do’s & Don’ts

Do

• Follow manufacturer instructions and advice 
• Keep to a routine preventative maintenance schedule
• Wear PPE during any maintenance
• Monitor temperatures daily
• Ensure proper airflow by keeping coils, vents and fans all clean
• Organize cold storage by product type and keep everything labeled 
• Follow the fifo method for food storage
• Keep doors closed properly 
• Plug the unit into the correct voltage outlet
• Unplug the unit before any repairs

Don’t

• Block or obstruct doors and vents
• Use extension cords or overload circuits
• Overpack shelving and drawers
• Use harsh chemicals for cleaning
• Tamper with the refrigerant system unless certified
• Store hot food inside
• Prop doors open while unit is running
• Ignore temperature alarms or water leaks
• Dispose of the unit with general waste management. Learn how to dispose of old commercial refrigerators & freezers safely

Troubleshooting & Diagnostics

When equipment malfunctions or is having a persistent problem, troubleshooting and diagnostics can help you pinpoint the problem and let a service technician know exactly what you need. Some common problems you might run into with your commercial refrigeration unit are:

• Inconsistent temperatures - Whether the unit is too warm or too cold, inconsistent temperatures aren’t ideal. The issue could be as simple as dirty gaskets or more complex like a broken temperature gauge
• No power - Sometimes when a unit isn’t connected to power, it could just be a circuit breaker was tripped. It could also just be unplugged at the moment
• Noises - Noises can be hard to identify if you aren’t sure where the sound is coming from. Finding the part of the refrigerator that is making noise is the first step in diagnosing what might be malfunctioning
• Leaks - Is your refrigerator running? Well you better go catch the problem. Leaks can happen when hoses or lines are clogged, evaporator pans are full or the unit is too warm

For further help with your troubleshooting and diagnostics, follow our commercial refrigeration troubleshooting guide to help you work through all of these issues and more. We also make it easy to diagnose and troubleshoot different types of refrigeration units, so you can get that individual care for your unit. We can help you with reach-in refrigerator, walk-in refrigerator/freezer and undercounter refrigerator/freezer troubleshooting. 

What are Commonly Replaced Parts in Refrigeration?

When keeping a refrigeration unit for the long-term, you will eventually run into needing replacement parts for repairs. This helps keep your unit running for longer and ensures that you have reliable refrigeration. The most common parts you’ll need to think about replacing eventually include:

• Door gaskets/seals
• Fan motors
• Thermostats
• Temperature controls
• Defrost timers/heaters
• Start relays & overloads
• Capacitors
• Door hinges & handles
• Lights

What are Common Refrigeration Brands?

When learning about refrigeration and researching commercial units, you will see a large selection of brands. Every brand has their own selection of refrigeration units to choose from, so picking one depends on the type of refrigeration you need. Some of the common names you will run into are:

• Hoshizaki
• Master-Bilt
• Turbo Air
• Perlick
• Delfield
• Kolpak
• Randell
• Norlake

If you need help while buying a new refrigeration unit, check out our Types of Commercial Refrigerators: Buying Guide to help you go over considerations and essentials.