Maintenance: Plan for a Smooth 2023

You can’t plan for what you don’t know, but what every operator knows is that they don’t want key equipment to fail on a bustling Friday.

With so many to-dos already on the docket, planned maintenance assures essential pieces of equipment receive proper checks at the appropriate intervals. To start 2023 on the right foot, FER checks in with Cliff Kolinger, a technician (since 2004) and trainer with EMR in Salisbury, Md.

Kolinger’s maintenance advice abounds, but his No. 1 tip is this: Protect your refrigeration equipment with planned maintenance.

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Kolinger says he has seen the unfortunate flipside, with one EMR client acquiring a former restaurant site filled with equipment that was not maintained; the refrigeration equipment, just four years old, was “trashed,” he says.

“The condenser coils all had two inches of dust and grease, which causes the compressors to run hot,” Kolinger says. “So, we had a two-door reach-in freezer that’s probably about $15,000 to replace and the compressor was bad. For that customer to spend probably close to $5,000 to fix it? It’s not worth it.”

In hindsight, had that previous operator kept a planned maintenance schedule, coils would be cleaned monthly, among other standard checks.

Ice machines, too, are worth the planned maintenance investment, Kolinger says, as are combi ovens. But, if you can afford to protect the whole fleet, it cannot hurt to have trained hands and eyes safeguarding your investments.

“That’s important—to have a professional make sure that your equipment is performing at its peak and also to head off potential issues,” says Kolinger.

Here’s what he recommends:

GRIDDLES

DAILY

Check that the grease chute is in place and inspect for grease in abnormal spots

MONTHLY

Ensure griddle is heating properly

QUARTERLY

Visually inspect the top and bottom of the griddle
Check for stress cracks in the cooking surface
Check gas pressure on gas grills and amp reading on electric grills
Check knobs for wear, and replace as needed

ANNUALLY

Check and calibrate the thermostat

COMBI OVENS

DAILY

Clean gaskets daily with a mild detergent and replace biannually or as needed

WEEKLY

Check for grease buildup
Check for loose or disconnected pipes
Clean air intake vent
Test draining from oven cavity and check lines for leaks or clogs

ANNUALLY

Change water filters
Check heat exchanger for deformities
For boiler-based combis, descale and then change gaskets
Replace steam bypass hose
Check drain lines and solenoid hoses
Check knobs, handles and gaskets and repair as needed
Tighten bolts
Inspect electrical connections

SODA DISPENSERS

DAILY

Pour hot water down the drain

WEEKLY

Clean drain and trough

MONTHLY

Clean ice bin
Flush and clean syrup lines
Test syrup/water ratio
Clean connectors at the bag-in-boxes

DISHMACHINES

DAILY

Check that water temperature and rinse pressure are within manufacturer guidelines
Check for water leaks

WEEKLY

Make sure drain valves are holding
Descale as needed (weekly with hard water, monthly otherwise)

MONTHLY

Check chemical dispenser is working properly

ANNUALLY

If unit has curtains, change them if worn
Check pump motor amp draw

WALK-IN COOLERS AND FREEZERS

DAILY

Check the temperature at the front of your walk-in against readings on hanging thermometers

MONTHLY

Check for any ice buildup on the evaporator

QUARTERLY

Blow condensers out with nitrogen, or clean with chemicals
Clean evaporators with chemicals, nitrogen or compressed air
Check the fan motor is running properly
Check the temperature at the front of the walk-in is reading properly
Make sure drain lines are clear of dirt and debris
Check space at the top of the door for proper alignment
Check door hinges, floors and walls for signs of wear and replace or repair if necessary

REACH-IN REFRIGERATORS

DAILY

Check unit temperature

MONTHLY

Clean condenser coil
Check for torn gaskets and inspect seals
Clean evaporator fans

QUARTERLY

Check temperature controls

CONVECTION OVENS

DAILY OR WEEKLY

Inspect the blower wheel for debris (like foil)

MONTHLY

Clean air intake vent
Clean and remove obstructions from flue
Check door seal for any damage

ANNUALLY

Check venting system for possible deterioration
Check thermostat and temperature probes for correct calibration
On some models, lubricate the oven door chain with high-temperature grease

FRYERS

MONTHLY

Perform a calibration check
Power off fryer, pull it out and clean the back wall
Clean controls to keep free of grease buildup
Replace broken knobs
Check power cord and connections
Check that pilot light maintains proper flame
Check O-ring integrity and drain pan connection
Clean blower, vents and combustion components
Check pump system, if applicable
Inspect fry vat for leaks

SEMIANNUALLY

Have a certified technician conduct a fire suppression inspection

ICE MACHINES

MONTHLY

Clean or change air filters

QUARTERLY

Remove and clean water distribution parts, and sanitize bin and machine
Check quality and thickness of ice

SEMIANNUALLY

Descale water system and change filters
Clean remote- or air-cooled condenser coil

ANNUALLY

Change hoses and O-rings as needed
Inspect machines for misplaced water

Editor’s note: This checklist doesn’t address all daily cleaning routines and is not all-encompassing. Check manufacturers’ recommendations.