Your 2022 Planned Maintenance Checklist

Seven years into his career at service company EMR, Baltimore Field Service Supervisor Dave Fitch is no stranger to planned maintenance. But, he admits, the guidelines are always changing.

“It’s a continuously changing cycle,” he says. “It’s never just one thing fits every customer.”

So, where to start? Frankly, somewhere is light-years better than nowhere.

“It doesn’t have to be the most elaborate thing,” Fitch says, “but at least just once a year [a hired company should] look over the equipment from top to bottom, and if something doesn’t look right, generally it’s not.”

While the annual check is a start, there also are daily, weekly and quarterly recommendations for most types of equipment. Dishmachines, for example, need daily checks for water leaks—a sign that seals or bearings are going bad, Fitch notes.

Not every operation’s checklist will be identical. Bakeries or operators like Subway that have lots of yeast in the air will want to clean and sanitize ice machines monthly, whereas semiannually suffices for others, Fitch says.

In many instances, a certified technician is required, like when fryers need a semiannual fire suppression inspection. Occasionally, however, the operator can handle the task, only calling on a tech if a problem is spotted. And, with an eye out for common problems, that call will likely be placed much earlier.

Ultimately, planned maintenance can catch issues before they’re an emergency, potentially reducing service costs and equipment downtime— something that’s even more important as the pandemic continues to impact parts availability and shipping times.

To stay ahead in 2022, here’s what Fitch 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

Weekly

Check for grease buildup

Check for loose or disconnected pipes

Clean air intake

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

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

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

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 that fan motor is running properly

Check that the temperature at the front of 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

Monthly

Clean condenser coil

Check for torn gaskets and inspect seals

Clean evaporator fans

Quarterly

Check temperature controls

Check head pressure on the compressor to ensure the correct amount of refrigerant

Convection Ovens

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

Semiannually

Have a certified technician conduct a fire suppression inspection

Ice Machines

Monthly

Clean or change air filters

Quarterly

Clean and sanitize bin and machine

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 daily cleaning routines and is not all-encompassing. Check the manufacturers’ recommendations.