Your walk-in, commercial refrigerator is one of the most important appliances that you have in your restaurant. However, you may not think much about it until it stops working. To make sure that it continues to function properly, here are some maintenance tips you can use to prolong the life of your commercial refrigerator.

Consider Airflow

Remember to consider airflow and the layout of your commercial kitchen so that you can keep your refrigeration unit working properly. If possible, keep your stove away from the refrigerator so that the refrigerator doesn't have to work harder to keep the food cool.

Another thing to do is to ensure that air vents and fans aren't blocked by boxes of food or anything else. This will keep the air circulating properly and the refrigerator working efficiently.

Keep Drain Clear

The condensation tray, or drip pan, in your refrigerator is supposed to collect all water resulting from condensation. That way, the tray can be heated and the water can evaporate. Before that can happen, the water must pass through a drain pipe; this drain must be kept clear. On a regular basis, make sure that no food boxes are blocking the drain and that water is draining properly without pooling. If necessary, you can vacuum the drain or use an air compressor to keep it clear. 

Keep Acidic Foods Covered

For health reasons, you may already cover some acidic foods, such as pickles. However, uncovered acidic foods can cause problems for the refrigerator itself. Pickles, tomatoes and other acidic foods can cause corrosion on the refrigerator lines, so make sure you keep them in sealed plastic containers.

Check Gaskets

The gaskets, or seals, on your refrigerator door must be tight. If not, warm air can enter the refrigerator, leading to higher energy costs and possible problems with your food. Check the door gaskets on a regular basis, looking for tears, holes and other places where warm air could creep into the unit. 

You can test your gaskets by closing the refrigerator door on half a dollar bill. If you can pull out the dollar without opening the door again, you might need to replace your gaskets. 

Use the above tips in this article to help you keep your commercial refrigerator running. Get in touch with an experienced commercial HVAC contractor to do regular inspections so you know that your refrigerator is in good shape. 

To purchase a professional commercial refrigerator, contact  company such as Hy-Point Restaurant Equipment & Supplies Inc.