Step by Step Guide to Clean a Commercial Refrigerator

Step by Step Guide to Clean a Commercial Refrigerator kitchen.services/step-by-step-guide-to-clean-a-commercial-refrigerator/ June 11, 2021

So, you’ve just made a significant investment in a commercial refrigerator or freezer for your business. Congratulations on your achievement! We hope that your new refrigerator or freezer will offer you and your customers years of dependable service. But that doesn’t happen unless you give your refrigerator the care and attention it requires in a busy kitchen.

For both your business and your staff, the cleanliness of any commercial equipment should be a top priority. Although it can be time-consuming, there are numerous reasons why professional cleaning equipment such as refrigerators should be scheduled during working hours.

Before looking at those reasons, we have come up with a step by step actionable guide on commercial refrigerator cleaning. If followed religiously, this simple and effective guide has the ability to extend the lifespan of your refrigeration unit.

Steps to Clean Your Commercial Refrigerator Before you begin proper cleaning, make sure to re-organize the fridge. Start by emptying it, throwing away the expired stuff, and sanitizing everything. Here’s a step-by-step guide on cleaning your refrigerator.

Unplug Units of your Refrigerator

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First things first, you need to unplug all your refrigeration units in order to eliminate the chances of electrocution.

This will save you lots of energy during your cleaning session.

All you have to do is turn off the main switch that provides your unit with the current.

Then carefully remove the plug from the slot.

This will also help in accumulated ice to melt quickly.

Empty each shelf of all items After successfully unplugging the unit, your next step is to one by one empty each shelf.

Start by removing the small items placed in the front.

Then come to the bigger ones placed at the back.

Make sure to place these items in a backup refrigeration unit meanwhile.

The biggest mistake people make while performing this step is putting things on the sides instead of completing taking them out, for getting done quickly. However, this is dangerous as there is a big chance you’ll leave contaminated or moldy stains at the corners.

Discard all the Moldy and Expired Food present Your next step should be to inspect the condition of the things you took out of your unit.

It is possible for food items to get mixed. So look for the expiry date and throw away the expired items.

In case, there is no expiry date mentioned, you can smell it and get an idea.

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In commercial refrigeration units, it is always a good idea to throw away already opened canned food items.

Furthermore, while you want to save money wherever you can, storing already-opened cans and jars after they’ve been used isn’t a good idea. Because we know you wouldn’t want to save money at the expense of your customer’s health. Even if the expiry date isn’t close, once you have opened the seal, the item should be consumed quickly. Similarly, get rid of anything you haven’t used in months and don’t intend to use anytime soon.

Wipe Off the Interior of your Commercial Refrigerator In order to perform this part, your first step should be to get a bucket full of warm water mixed with a mild soapy detergent.

Get a good quality sponge. It is good to use highly absorbent microfibre towels as they are good with tough dirt accumulation.

Try using a soft-bristled brush for smaller areas and corners of your unit.

Dip it in the detergent and gently rub it into the inaccessible areas.

Once you are done with a thorough scrubbing of the interior of your unit, rinse it with clean water.

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Disinfect the Interior It is not easy to make stubborn bacteria go away. Hence, after cleaning the unit with soapy water, you should go the extra mile to disinfect it.

Buy a good food disinfectant and apply it gently on the surfaces.

Make sure to apply just a little amount of the disinfectant.

Cleaning of Exterior By now you have thoroughly cleaned the inside of your unit and made it bacteria free. Now is the time to pay some attention to the exterior.

When you don’t clean the outside of the refrigerator, dust and other material might obstruct the mechanical and cooling functions of the unit.

Take a duster and gently wipe off the exterior of your commercial refrigerator.

Then move towards the backside of your unit, you will see the condenser coils at the bottom.

Get a vacuum hose to clear out the dirt from condenser coils.

Next, clean and empty the drainage pan that is present near the bottom of the refrigerator. This will prevent all your moisture problems.

Restock All the Food Items Now that your refrigerator is clean, it’s time to put everything back in its place – in a neat and tidy manner.

The way you load and organize products inside impacts how efficiently you use stock while also preventing problems that can lead to bacteria and mold growth.

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Follow our guide on how to organize your commercial freezer/refrigerator for proper organizing tips.

Why should you clean your commercial refrigerator?

With so much opening and closing, retrieval, and restocking, it’s easy to overlook spills and stains, or even see them, in the thick of the service rush. Since products are frequently shifted, some of the less popular materials and stock are left unfinished or unused by the time they expire.

Cross-contamination and bad odors can emerge from residue and deterioration, affecting food storage and, as a result, quality and freshness. Worse, when these less-thandelicious distinctive flavors are provided, they can cause customer dissatisfaction and shake the foundations of trust between you and your customers. When it comes to health inspections, you could face anything from a few citations to an order to close your business.

Hence it is extremely important to religiously carry out the cleaning of your commercial refrigeration unit.

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