How to get your ice cream freezers ready for winter

Christmas, new Year  and the winter holidays are approaching. As the temperature continues to drop, owners of commercial ice cream freezers might be tempted to fall into a trap, leaving them to hibernate until spring. But that’s the last thing you should do.

In fact, the winter months are the perfect time to give your ice cream freezers some much-needed TLC. A little preparation now helps you save money, extend the life of your equipment and readjust your marketing strategy to maximise sales in the coming year.

So – where should we begin?

First things first: a deep clean

The deep clean should be the first thing on your list of priorities. Yes, cleaning isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it might not be the most exciting job in the world. Yet, it’s an absolute must, something that has to get done before you even think about adjusting temperatures or moving anything around. After all, the deep clean often uncovers any hidden or lingering issues.

Start by turning off and unplugging the freezer. This keeps you (or your employees) safe while saving energy during cleaning. Empty the freezer completely, ensuring all shelves and tubs are also removed. If any of your ice cream products are still frozen, consider placing them in another freezer while you clean, so nothing goes to waste.

Wash the shelves, tubs and any other inserts you might own with a gentle washing-up liquid solution in the sink. Disinfect the surfaces before moving on.

Once you’ve emptied your freezer, take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces. Be sure to include the door seals, which are critical for maintaining a consistent temperature. Inspect the door seals at the same time. Keep your eye out for any signs of dirt or grease build-up (which you should be able to wipe away) or tears and rips (which indicate new seals are in order). Finally, use a vacuum cleaner to clean the dust and dirt off the condenser coils. You might also need a soft brush to loosen up any large, greasy patches.

Adjust your ice cream freezer temperatures as appropriate

The ambient temperature in winter is much cooler than in summer. This has a significant impact on how your freezer works. Adjusting its temperature settings to reflect the cooler surroundings saves energy (and therefore money) while maintaining your ice cream at the perfect consistency.

Most of the year, your ice cream freezer is probably set between -18°C and -20°C. Ice cream vendors consider this range optimal. If you typically keep your unit at -20°C, it could be worthwhile increasing the temperature slightly to -18°C. While it might seem like a small change, anything you can do to reduce your energy consumption in colder weather is a bonus. That said, you should still be sure to never let the temperature rise above -18°C.

You could also adjust your freezer’s defrosting cycle. Most modern commercial ice cream freezers come with automatic defrosting functions. These prevent ice build-up on the coils and improve the freezer’s efficiency. Even if your unit has no automatic defrost cycle, schedule a manual defrost periodically to ensure the unit runs smoothly without wasting unnecessary energy.

Make the most of your ice cream freezer space

Winter is the perfect time to rethink how you’re using your ice cream freezer space. Demand is naturally much lower. With less foot traffic and fewer orders, you probably don’t need to stock as much ice cream. In other words, your freezer could be used for different purposes in the meantime.

Consider storing items like frozen vegetables, prepped foods or frozen ingredients in the empty sections. This allows you to utilise your freezer space more effectively without letting it sit idle. This can help with stock rotation and inventory management for businesses in the catering or restaurant industries. The key is making the most of the equipment even when ice cream sales are low.

Be sure to abide by all relevant food safety laws, especially those concerning temperature requirements and cross-contamination.

Save energy costs during the quieter months

Ice cream freezers are one of the biggest energy consumers in any commercial kitchen. Hence, finding ways to optimise their energy usage is crucial.

One simple step to take is to minimise the amount of time the freezer door is open. Consider moving the unit so customers are less likely to open the door while browsing or sticking up a gentle  reminder to keep the door closed.

You could also implement a different system to minimise how often employees need to open the door, such as utilising a smaller freezer in the shop front which could be periodically restocked (for example, once per day). Sometimes, it’s even as simple as reorganising your freezer space to make it more efficient. A well-ordered ice cream freezer means fewer trips and less warm air entering each time.

You might also want to explore newer, more energy-efficient freezer models. New units should come with better insulation and enhanced features designed to save on electricity. These unquestionably come with an upfront cost, but switching to modern ice cream freezers is sure to pay off in the long run.

Preserve the usable life of your ice cream freezer

And finally, maintenance. The slower winter season is the best time to maintain your ice cream freezers without significantly impacting your sales and ROI. Ideally, bring in a recognised, certified technician to perform a full service.

You should also inspect some components and functions yourself, such as:

• Place accurate thermometers into the freezer to check they agree with the stated temperature.
• Make sure the freezer’s gaskets are clean and free of debris.
• Check the door seals for damage (such as cracks or rips). Replace them if necessary.
• Listen for any unusual sounds from the fans. Replace them if necessary.
• Deep clean the entire unit (explained at the top of this page).

Get ready for peak demand in the busy seasons

There’s one last thing to consider in winter: summer. Winter isn’t just about maintaining your ice cream freezer and keeping its running costs down. Use it as an opportunity to plan for the busy months ahead. It might even be an optimal time to purchase a new unit.

For example, if you’ve been using the ice cream freezer for other purposes during winter, start reorganising and restocking it with the ice cream varieties your customers love. Ensure everything is in place for a smooth transition into peak season.

With these simple tips, you’ll hit the ground running, getting a leg up on your competitors and satisfying customer demand as soon as it arises.

Set your business up now for a profitable summer season. By giving your equipment the attention it deserves, you’ll ensure it’s ready to perform when you need it most. And if you’re looking for the right commercial freezers, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Fridgesmart. Our expert advice, outstanding customer care and industry-leading warranties mean we have the equipment and expertise to help you keep things cool all year round.