HOW TO KEEP A FRIDGE COLD

KEEPING IT COOL

1. DON'T TOUCH THE THERMOSTAT

If the internal temperature is rising, it can be very tempting to adjust the thermostat down to a lower setting. However, if it’s already set between 1-4°C, it’s unlikely you’ll see any noticeable beneficial difference. In fact, it’s more likely to increase the temperature inside as the internal components have to work even harder. There’s better ways to keep the fridge cold. Just don’t touch that dial.

2. KEEP THE DOORS CLOSED

Easier said than done. Still, the worst culprit for fluctuations in temperature is the constant opening and closing of the door. Try to only open the door when necessary and close it as soon as possible. Likewise, if you have double door or stable door refrigeration, only open the doors that you need. If the door isn’t staying shut by itself, consider replacing the door seal and checking that the machine is level.

3. CLEAN THE FILTERS

Air-cooled fridges and freezers commonly encounter air filled with grease, steam and dust which can quickly obstruct the air flow to the condenser. To combat this, many are fitted with filters to minimise the amount of debris building up in the condenser. However, if the filter isn’t cleaned regularly it can quickly clog up, causing the fridge or freezer to fail - potentially leading to an expensive repair. A quick brush or vacuum of the filter might be all that your fridge needs to work perfectly. The video below shows you how.

4. CREATE A FRIDGE PLAN

If your fridge or freezer is stuffed to bursting, it’s unlikely that the appliance will be able to circulate sufficient air to maintain the correct temperature. Creating a fridge plan to organise your fridge not only helps your fridge keep temperature, it also helps you access the contents more efficiently, reducing the amount of time the door spends open. If your fridge is constantly crammed, it may be worth considering upgrading or purchasing a secondary refrigerator.

5. MOVE IT!

It’s not always convenient, however when temperatures are extreme, a temporary solution may be to move the fridge to a cooler area. It’s certainly better than having to replace a fridge full of food. Most commercial fridges are mounted on castors, so whether you move the fridge out of the kitchen, or simply re-arrange your kitchen to move the fridge away from hot spots, it’s possible to maneuver the appliance if necessary. Avoid positioning fridges and freezers next to hot cooking machines like deep fryers, oven ranges or grills.

TIP: As a short-term measure, your Ice Machine can help. By adding a gastronorm pan full of ice into your fridge, the fridge's internal temperature can be brought down noticably, although this is only a very temporary solution. If your fridge is constantly over temperature, a more long-term resolution is required.

6. USE A BLAST CHILLER

Putting a full gastronorm pan full of hot food into a fridge isn’t just bad for food safety. It also quickly raises the internal temperature, potentially making the fridge work even harder. Pre-chill in a Blast Chiller first. It’s the ideal way to get food down to a safe storage temperature.

7. GO TROPICAL

Commercial refrigeration at Nisbets broadly falls into two main categories. Standard and Tropical . Whereas standard refrigeration is suitable for most commercial kitchens, Tropical is designed for the hottest, most demanding environments. If you find your fridge is constantly struggling, or if your kitchen reaches over 32°C (90°F) on a regular basis, you may likely be better served by a Tropical (or Climate Class 5 ) fridge or freezer.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO BRING THE TEMPERATURE DOWN?

Keeping your fridge cold is vital for food safety, however it needs to maintained regularly too. Check out our How to Clean a Commercial Fridge guide for more information.

The following video provides the basics on refrigeration maintenance which can also help to reduce your running costs and extend its operational lifespan.