How to manage smells and odours in your commercial refrigeration

Running a food or drink business means dealing with all sorts of smells. Most, hopefully, are delightful, like the crisp waft of freshly baked bread or the mouth-watering sizzle of fish and chips.

But occasionally, you run into a smell that’s, well, not so nice, and these often stem from your refrigeration units. Foul odours from your fridges are unpleasant but, more alarmingly, may indicate that there are some underlying food safety issues.

So, let’s explore how to keep those fridge and freezer smells under control.

Odours explained: why cleaning your fridges matters

First of all, let’s identify the cause of these unwanted smells. The usual suspects are spoiled foods (past their due date), spills and poor air circulation from your unit’s fans. These usually stem from improper food storage, not cleaning up spills, working with an overflowing fridge or equipment breakdowns. Any of these (or more than one) could cause your stinky situation.

And, of course, that’s where regular cleaning comes into play. Establishing a rigid regular cleaning routine is vital to preventing and managing odours.

Here’s a simple guide for your fridge cleaning routine:

• Every day, wipe down surfaces, including shelves and door handles.
• Every week, go a step further, removing shelves and drawers completely to thoroughly clean them with soapy water. Check for spills and the dates on all items, including those at the back. Clean the internal fans as best as you can.
• Every month, go to the hard-to-reach places, including the drain pans, condenser coils and external fans. These harbour smells if not cleaned regularly.

Storage tips to prevent odours

Now, how to store food. Proper food storage is an essential part of keeping smells at bay. Consider these storage tips to minimise poor odours.

For example, always use airtight containers for your items. Don’t forget to label them with expiry dates. It helps with rotation and ensures you’re using food before it spoils, which could present a bad smell, taste and even food safety concerns. It’s particularly important to follow this advice when it comes to strong-smelling foods (like cheeses, fish, curries and certain soups).

Maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels in your fridge is crucial to avoid any unpleasant odours. Bacteria thrive once the temperature and humidity get too high, so keeping your refrigeration equipment at the proper settings prevents those unpleasant odours from developing. Keep up with regular maintenance (listed above) to ensure your fridge operates at peak efficiency. If something still seems wrong, it’s time to call in a professional technician or perhaps invest in a new unit.

Odour-absorbing products are another fantastic – and relatively cheap – way to keep smells down. Activated charcoal filters and even good old bicarb (bicarbonate of soda) work wonders in this field. Place an open box or tin of bicarb in the fridge to neutralise odours or invest in an activated charcoal bag. Activated charcoal works similarly to bicarb, absorbing and eliminating smells. The bags are specifically designed for this kind of thing.

Heading down the fridge-smell rabbit hole

If you notice a particularly stubborn smell that won’t disappear, it’s time to investigate further.

Here are a few things you could look into:

• Check the drain pans. These accumulate liquid that could lead to unpleasant smells.
• Inspect the evaporator coils (inside the fridge). A buildup of ice or debris could contribute to odours.
• Check the compressor, condenser coils and condenser fan (outside the unit). If there’s a problem here, the fridge might not stay cold enough.
• Check the thermostat. If it’s reading the wrong temperature, it may hold food too warm.

If you’ve tried everything and the smell persists, it might be time to seek professional help. Sometimes, hidden issues require a trained eye – and nostrils – to resolve. They might recommend a repair or, in some cases, a new unit altogether. That’s not because of the smell, of course, but because of what’s causing the smell.

How can Fridgesmart help?

Managing smells and odours in your commercial refrigeration doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With regular cleaning, smart storage practices and the right products, you’ll keep your fridges and freezers fresh and inviting.

If you need advice tailored to your business or want to discuss the best refrigeration solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Fridgesmart. Our wide range of commercial refrigerators and experts waiting on hand means we’re qualified to deal with any questions you might have. Plus, with outstanding warranties and next-day delivery options, we’ve got you covered when it comes to new models if those bad smells are completely out of hand.

We’re here to help you keep your business running smoothly, healthily and completely odour-free.