Top tips to identify and eliminate nasty smells in your commercial fridge

If you run a business that sells chilled food or drinks, a bad smell is the last thing you want when you open your fridge doors.

Our brains are hardwired to be receptive to the smell of food and drink, saving us from potential harm from bad food.  So, if a customer was to open your commercial refrigerator, only to be confronted by unsavoury odours, the chances are they won’t be buying what they came in for. It may also put them off from returning to your business ever again, so you not only lose the sale on the day but also any future sales. So, as a responsible business owner, you need to make sure that your refrigerators are fresh and clean.

Keep it clean

Cleaning your commercial refrigerators should be a regular task. It’s best practice to keep a record of the cleaning schedule so everyone is aware the cleaning has been done. Cleaning your refrigerators thoroughly will help reduce the likelihood of any smell developing from spills or leaks. Remember to clean the door seals when cleaning the refrigerator, as these can accumulate dirt, causing a build-up of biofilms, which lead to bad odours. If anyone cleaning the refrigerator identifies any smells, it needs to be investigated promptly to identify the root of the issue.

Check key areas

If you’re confident that your refrigerator is clean and there’s no lingering out-of-date food hiding at the back, but you’re still getting a bad smell, then it’s time to check the key areas that can contribute to a build-up of odour. Check the condensate drainage system, including the drain pans and drain lines, which collect liquid. They can be prone to water sitting and stagnating, which could cause bad smells. Make sure all the components of the system are emptied regularly, and cleaned thoroughly with a warm soapy mixture. Check all the coils and vents, both in and out of the fridge. Inside the fridge, ice or debris can build up. Outside, grease on the coils can trap dust and dirt causing issues. These can all be carefully cleaned following the manufacturer’s instructions. Often with a soft brush to clean gently around the coils.

Airflow is vital

Good food storage includes good airflow around the different food types, to prevent cross-contamination. Airflow also helps to prevent the build-up of bad odours, by encouraging air movement. As with water, air can smell stale if it isn’t allowed to circulate. Make sure that your refrigerator is stacked correctly with enough space around any vents or fans, and sufficient space to allow the air to move around among the produce.

Remove smells rather than simply covering them up

You can pop old-fashioned bicarbonate of soda into your refrigerator, which acts as an odour remover, by drawing the odours into the powder. Activated charcoal works in a similar manner. You can buy it specifically for this purpose. However, if a bad smell is an indication of an underlying issue, and you simply remove the smell without addressing the cause, then the problem will remain. It’s far more sensible to continue to investigate why your refrigerator smells rather than hide the problem by removing the smell. It may be that your thermostat is faulty and your food is going bad before the expiry date. By removing the smell, you could miss a crucial problem with your refrigerator and potentially damage your business.

Time to invest in a new commercial refrigerator? Speak to the team at Fridgesmart

Sometimes, even despite your best efforts, your refrigerator might simply reach the end of its service life. Investing in a modern refrigerator unit can be an excellent move for your business, giving you a more energy-efficient, streamlined unit. It can bring a host of other benefits for your business, aside from smelling clean and new. Take a look at our range of display fridges here, or if you would rather discuss your business needs with our experienced and knowledgeable team, call us today on 0115 9413640.