For any business in the hospitality industry that serves food, a commercial refrigerator plays an integral role. One of the biggest issues business owners face, when storing a commercial refrigerator, is the development of mould.
Mould develops inside walk-in refrigerators and freezers, simultaneously posing a number of threats to your business at any given time. Mould growth can damage inventory, cause illness in employees or customers, as well as lead to health code violations.
These are 4 ways to keep your commercial refrigerator mould-free.
1) Clean Your Fridge Completely
1) Clean Your Fridge CompletelyFood debris and moisture can cause the growth of mould in your commercial refrigerator. Therefore, it’s important to clean your fridge properly to ensure mould doesn’t appear. Another reason to clean your fridge thoroughly, is because even the smallest amount of food can attract pests such as mice or ants. These pests are not only unhygienic but they can also cause irreparable damage to electrical components, if given the chance.
Be sure to clean each section of your commercial fridge regularly. From drawers, to shelves and other removable parts, use soapy water to ensure all food debris is removed. It’s important to remember not to use abrasive cleaners like chlorine bleach or ammonia, as these chemicals can crack or discolour the fridge and leave a strong smell. Be sure to also clean the sides and rear of the fridge, while dusting or vacuuming the coils at the back of the fridge to prevent condensation.
2) Defrost Properly
Before cleaning your fridge, it’s important to remember to leave plenty of time for it to defrost. Be sure to remove all food items first before unplugging. It’s recommended to defrost your fridge for at least a week before you proceed to transport the fridge into storage.
3) Keep It Upright
When moving your commercial refrigerator anywhere, it’s important to practice caution, so as to not cause problems with the compressor. To reduce the risk of causing any damage, it’s vital to always keep your fridge upright, while minimising tipping when moving and storing your fridge.
4) Keep Your Fridge Dry
Once you’ve cleaned, defrosted and carefully moved your fridge, you must ensure that it’s completely dry before storing it once more. This will ensure that mould and mildew doesn’t turn up when it comes to using it again. Not keeping your fridge dry will result in a lingering, impolite smell that can affect your food items inside your fridge.
The best way to keep your fridge dry is to detach the doors on both your fridge and freezer or leave each door ajar by wedging an object in between the door and compartment frame. To avoid any lingering odours, you could place a deodoriser inside the fridge or mix a teaspoon of vanilla essence with a cup of warm water before wiping it down.
If you already have mould regularly developing in your commercial refrigerator, it’s crucial to thoroughly clean your fridge to ensure all mould spores have been eradicated. Be sure to examine all items and remove anything with mould growth to ensure it doesn’t spread. When cleaning your entire refrigerator, be sure to use an abrasive scrubber rather than a cloth to ensure all spills and debris is removed from all surfaces. Remove any dust build up with a vacuum to clear the compressor, as this could be contributing to your fridge running inefficiently.
For trusted commercial refrigerator freezer experts in Adelaide, John Bossy Refrigeration take pride in providing high levels of customer support and personal service. John Bossy Refrigeration are proud to provide servicing, maintenance, repair and installation of all brands of commercial refrigerators, catering freezers and commercial air conditioners. Contact us today to speak to our friendly and professional team.