Why your commercial fridge isn’t cold enough

Running any food or drink establishment means you rely heavily on your fridge to keep produce safe and fresh. If your commercial fridge isn’t maintaining the right temperature, it leads to spoiled food, unhappy customers and even FSA violations.

A commercial fridge that won’t get cold enough, then, is a problem. This blog explores why your fridge might be struggling and how to troubleshoot the issue before it becomes an even bigger problem.

The importance of proper temperature maintenance

Keeping your fridge at the appropriate temperature is imperative for food safety and quality. It also impacts your utility bills, of course.

Ideally, your fridge should be between 1°C and 5°C. Anything warmer puts your fridge’s contents at risk, and anything cooler leads to ice crystal formulation and taste and texture impacts. Monitor the temperature at all times, including setting alarms and alerts, to preserve your food and keep your customers safe.

Remember, maintaining the correct temperature helps to preserve freshness, flavour and texture, all of which are critical for a successful food service operation.

Common causes of fridge temperature issues

Let’s explore some common reasons your commercial fridge might not meet expectations:

Door seals

A sneaky culprit – and one that’s often overlooked – is the door seals. These line the edge of the door and the frame where it meets the unit, isolating the internal environment from the outside world. If these are damaged, cracked or dirty, they won’t seal properly, allowing cold air to escape.

Check the seals using a five-pound note or some receipt paper. Close the door on this, then see if you can pull it out easily. If you can, the seals aren’t working properly. Conduct this test all around the door to thoroughly check the seals. You could also use a torch to visually find any holes or cracks.

If you find a problem, clean the seals with warm, soapy water. This removes any grime that might be interfering with the seal. Unfortunately, if cleaning doesn’t fix the issue, it’s probably time for a new set of seals. These aren’t usually too expensive, although specific pricing depends on the fridge’s style, make and model.

Thermostat troubles

The next thing to check is the thermostat. If your fridge isn’t cooling properly, it could be that the thermostat is malfunctioning. The thermostat’s job is to read the temperature inside the unit. Based on that temperature, it signals the compressors and fans to work or rest. A faulty thermostat leads to erratic cooling.

First, check to see that it’s set correctly. Sometimes, employees might accidentally knock something that adjusts the temperature. If the thermostat appears to be working but the fridge isn’t maintaining temperature, the simplest procedure is a replacement. You could try diagnosing and fixing the thermostat yourself, but this takes far more time (and, therefore, money) than a quick switch out.

Cooling system

Problems with the compressor, condenser coils or evaporator fan could also lead to temperature issues.

Start off by checking the condenser coils. Dirt and dust tend to build up on these. If they’re clogged, your refrigerator won’t be able to cool down as efficiently. Cleaning them is a straightforward process. Unplug the unit, brush off the coils and vacuum around the area to clean up.

Also, inspect the evaporator fan. If it isn’t operational, your fridge will rely on convection alone, which isn’t enough to keep it consistently cool. Listen to the fan for unusual noises and check for ice buildup in the area.

Ambient temperature and placement

Don’t overlook the effect of the ambient temperature and placement of your fridge. It has more of an impact than you might think.

If your fridge is near a heat source, such as an oven, grill or direct sunlight streaming through the windows, the unit must work much harder to stay cool. In some cases, this might lead to insufficient interior cooling.

If possible, move your fridge away from these heat sources. If that isn’t an option, ensure it has enough space around it for proper ventilation – at least a few inches on all sides. This gives it the best chance possible of maintaining the desired temperature without unnecessary strain.

Simple oversights

To cover all bases, sometimes, the issue is simpler than we think. Have the doors been left open for too long? Even a few seconds can let in warm air, raising the internal temperature.

An overloaded fridge might also lead to insufficient cooling. There isn’t enough air space for the cool air to flow smoothly through the unit, making temperature regulation harder. It might be a good idea to reorganise your refrigerator to allow the air to flow more easily.

When to call a professional technician

You’ll have no problem resolving most of these issues by yourself. Regular cleaning, maintenance and monitoring are a massive part of preventing temperature fluctuations and keeping your fridges at peak efficiency. Set schedules for cleaning both the interior and the exterior to maximise the benefits.

However, if you’ve gone through all these checks and your fridge is still too warm, it’s time to bring in a professional. They’ll bring an expert eye and be able to tell you precisely what’s wrong. Ignoring these problems inevitably leads to bigger, more expensive problems down the line, which could go as far as compressor failures or complete unit replacements.

How can Fridgesmart help?

Keeping your commercial fridge cold shouldn’t be too much of a chore. Regular maintenance is a win-win for all involved, and addressing any minor niggles promptly goes a long way in avoiding temperature problems.

However, if something’s badly broken beyond repair or you need expert advice on what to do next, Fridgesmart is here to help. With a massive stock of refrigeration units, we’re ready to replace your old fridges with incredible deals, outstanding warranties and even next-day delivery options.

Get in touch today to chat about how we can assist you in optimising your commercial fridge solutions for the best possible performance.