We normally field this question for new customers at least once -and we love hearing it. It lets us know that the client's aren't solely worried about food safety, but are also interested in reducing Maintenance and Repair (M&R) and mitigating food loss.
Let's discuss (17) ways to help ensure your appliances live long, optimal lives.
- Inspect and clean door gaskets regularly. Dirty gaskets cause poor seals and dirt and grime shorten the life of gaskets. Replace them when needed.
- Ensure appliances sit level and that doors are squarely adjusted.
- Don't power-down cold storage equipment. The energy saved when powered-down is burned when bring the appliance back to temp. It's also really tough on the compressor.
- Keep coils clean on a regular basis. Four times a year is not a bad practice.
- If your appliance utilizes filters, replace them on schedule.
- Schedule regular check-ups for your appliances.
- Don't use the thermostat to cover up temperature issues. If there's a problem, address it.
- Don't over/under-stock your appliance.
- Over-stocking a cold storage appliance reduces proper air circulation.
- Under-stocking causes cold storage appliances to cool a larger space. You also lack the help from stocked products thermal mass that can assist the appliance with cooling warmer products.
- If your location's policies and cold storage space allow, keep clean and labeled jugs or bottles of water in your units. This can help with thermal mass cooling.
- Defrost units as needed. If it looks like 3" of snow and ice fell in your in cold storage appliance -that's a problem and the compressor will work harder, generate more heat and burn more electricity.
- Keep food covered and sealed. Your cold storage appliances work hard to remove moisture. Plus, it's the safe way to store foods.
- Utilize the right storage containers. Food should fill the container completely, without touching the lid. Accordingly, if you are storing food in plastic bags, utilize thicker bags like storage or freezer bags -not cheap sandwich bags.
- Do not store hot foods. Allow them to cool before storage. This prevents accelerated bacteria growth, prevents frost that can turn into moisture, and prevents the cold storage unit from working overtime to cool the newly added food.
- Double-check your cold storage appliances for proper space. A 2"-3" space between sides and rear of appliances can save as much as 40% of energy spent on cooling the appliance.
- Take the time organize your refrigerator. Organization can help save time during stocking and use. The more organized an appliance is, the less time the door will be opened.
- If you are busy, plan ahead. Accessing your cold storage appliance efficiently. Retrieve multiple items at once instead of one at a time.
- Keep an eye on your appliances temp regularly. Better yet, use an ultra-high quality system like our FridgeTrak.io solution. Never rely on internal/external digital or analog gauges -as they're rarely accurate, require constant recalibration, and should only be used for reference only.