November 15 – National Clean Out your Refrigerator Day

Cleanliness is a key pillar of safety, efficiency, and responsibility in every professional environment.

Proper care and organization of your refrigerator not only ensure optimal performance of the equipment, but also help reduce food waste, promoting a more sustainable and mindful operation for your business. 🤝

A few key reminders for your professional equipment:
✔️ Clean the interior shelves and walls at least once a week.
✔️ Check the door gaskets for residues and wear.
✔️ Organize your products according to their expiration dates to minimize food waste.

At Inomak, we build refrigerators that are made to perform and built to last, so you can keep your food safe, fresh, and stored with respect for the environment. 🌍🌱

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Other than professionalism, the loading of a cooling area is definitive for the proper operation of the refrigerator and for its longevity, as well as for the hygiene of the food that is stored in the appliance.

How should we load a refrigerator?

Problem-free air circulation within the refrigerator is important for the proper cooling of a refrigerator’s interior. Much depends on this. Thus, it is of vital importance that air is not obstructed by boxes, utensils, etc.

A refrigerator is loaded efficiently when:

• The products are placed in special containers.
• The products should not exceed the maximum storage level.
• The products are always placed on the shelves.
• The products are placed within the surface defined by the shelves.
• The products do not touch the appliance walls.
• Air-flow from the evaporator’s ventilator is unobstructed.

The refrigerator is not loaded efficiently when:

• The products are placed without protection.
• The products exceed the maximum storage level.
• The products protrude from the surface of the shelves.
• The products touch the appliance’s walls and floor.
• Air-flow from the evaporator’s ventilator is obstructed.

The following schematic diagram depicts efficient storage (left) and inefficient storage (right):

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The refrigerator is an appliance which is frequently neglected in the professional kitchen and this is because of its supporting and “noise-free” nature compared to the other appliances that steal the show.

In this article, we will give you 7 tips on how to maintain your refrigerator in good condition for many years to come, which will benefit your business in many ways.

The refrigerator is a regulating factor in a professional kitchen. It is the link in the chain that is concerned with the hygiene of ingredients that are used to prepare the food. From this alone, it is obvious that it significantly contributes in maintaining the quality of a catering business’ food.

However, on many occasions its importance is downgraded resulting in a shorter than expected lifespan.

Below we present 7 tips on how to dramatically improve the life-cycle of your refrigerator, while saving your business money:

Market research

The longevity of a refrigerator starts from its choice. The appliance’s quality features will initially determine its life-cycle. Choose appliances with features that focus on the use of superior quality 18/8-10 AISI type 304 stainless steel, the antibacterial & anticorrosive protection of the evaporators and the problem-free function of the appliances in room temperatures of +43οC, as these indicate a quality product with more chances of lasting longer.

Proper placement of the appliance in the area

When placing the appliance, the cooling mechanism’s ventilation must be unobstructed. Make sure that there is enough room for air circulation maintaining a distance of 25 cm from the ceiling, particularly in the case of cooling chambers. In the case of bench refrigerators, ensure that there are no obstacles in front of the cooling mechanism’s ventilation vents.

Efficient storing of the cooling area

The refrigerator will function properly when air freely circulates in its interior. Attention must be paid to the following 3 points.

1. Place the containers on the racks and not on the floor.
2. Place the stored ingredients on the surface of the racks alone.
3. Do not exceed the maximum level marking.

Food storage method

A significant source of the problem is the food itself, especially acidic food. Store food in appropriate containers and place them covered in the refrigerator. Acidic food, such as lemon, vinegar, wine and the like must be sealed in air tight containers.

Cleaning

The appliance’s regular cleaning, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, not only ensures the food’s hygiene, but also extends its life-cycle. The leading causes of problems are the cleaning agents and instruments used.

CAUTION! Chlorine-based cleaning agents are prohibited because they may significantly corrode the stainless steel. Similarly, the use of harsh cloths and steel brushes may irreversibly damage the material. Instead, opt for warm soapy water and clean, soft cloths to protect surfaces from abrasions. The cleaning frequency depends on the use and the orderliness of those that use the appliance.

Periodic Maintenance

As you might expect, refrigerators need to be periodically serviced. The frequency depends on the conditions in the operating area and the use of the refrigerator. Delegate the maintenance frequency & performance to an expert. On average, the recommended frequency is every 12 months.

Staff training

The last, but possibly most important tip is to train the people that use the appliances. Dedicate the time that is required by your business’ team, so that they comprehend the benefits of all the above for the business and how these will be eventually returned to them.

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“What are the advantages of protecting the evaporator in a refrigerator?”

This is one of the most common questions we are asked from those looking to use our refrigerators. Before we move onto the response, let us talk about the evaporator and how it works in a refrigerator.

The evaporator could rightfully be called the refrigerator’s lung. It is the accessory by which energy between two liquids is exchanged and in the case of a refrigerator, the result is the maintenance of the desired temperature in the appliance’s cooling area.

For its optimal operation, sensitive materials such as aluminium and copper are used in its construction making it susceptible to corrosion thus, it is frequently described as the cooling mechanism’s weak link. If acidic substances, which are stored on occasion in

the cooling area, are added then its susceptibility is increased and its protection becomes imperative.

Refrigerant leakages as well as the existence of corrosion of an accessory inside the food area not only raise a health and safety issue, but significantly influence the refrigerator’s energy consumption. A study that has been carried out by the manufacturer of the protective coating that we use on our refrigerators’ evaporators, showed that evaporator corrosion is the major reason for reduced performance and that its protection may contribute to savings of up to 30% on the appliance’s annual energy consumption.

Protecting the evaporator is beyond necessary. It is an essential choice that is immediately evident in how your appliance works and in your business’ finances.

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