Walk-in freezer temperature maintenance is key to avoiding food spoilage and related financial losses.
Commercial establishments in the United States report thousands of dollars in financial losses related to spoiled food. Some of these cases have been linked to malfunctioning
walk-in freezers and walk-in coolers. These appliances are designed to create suitable environments for all kinds of perishables, including meats, milk, cheeses, vegetables, and fruits.
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Poor temperature maintenance could be the result of malfunctioning doors. Walk-in freezers utilize swinging and sliding doors to create a complete seal for the freezer compartment. Doors are equipped with plastic or vinyl seals or gaskets to prevent air from escaping and entering the internal compartment.
Walk-in cooler door gaskets need to be inspected at least once a month. There are several ways to perform the inspection, so it is basically impossible to go wrong. Encourage the manager, shift supervisors, and hourly workers to perform daily inspections if needed.
Walk-In Cooler Slide Doors
Walk-in freezer slide doors offer quick and easy access to the internal compartment. Another role may be even more important than accessibility is temperature maintenance. It is vital to maintain the proper temperature for frozen and cold food.
Walk-in slide doors are utilized in confined spaces. Instead of swinging inward and outward, slide doors operate by sliding backward and forward.
Walk-in coolers are required by the health department to remain between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 and 3.3 degrees Celsius). Walk-in freezers, on the other hand, must be kept at zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius).
Food spoilage becomes a risk when the temperature scales slightly higher or drops slightly lower. As previously mentioned, food spoilage is a major hit for all commercial businesses. In some cases, perishables are not the only stored items at risk. Medications, flowers, pet food, and beverages, such as wine, tea, eggnog, and alcohol.
Walk-In Freezer Swing Doors
Walk-in freezer swing doors are more commonly found in commercial settings. Each door is equipped with a gasket to create a complete seal around the internal compartment. Like the slide door gasket, the swing door gasket is guaranteed to break down over time. This is where routine inspections come into play. Train your employees to perform routine door inspections that focus on the gasket.
Keep the area around the walk-in freezer free of debris to avoid door damage. It is recommended to utilize a door sweep to add even more protection.
Walk-In Cooler Door Maintenance
In addition to routine inspections, maintenance is vital for the longevity of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. It is recommended to thoroughly clean the internal compartment and exterior siding twice a year. Utilize a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris around the coils.
Keep a thermometer inside the freezer and cooler for temperature maintenance. Any sign of an unexplained drop in temperature should be reported to the shift supervisor and manager.
Any business that does not have a professional
walk-in freezer maintenance regimen is at risk of a malfunction.
