Category: Refrigeration

You might think that what you need to worry most about when it comes to your refrigerator is the freon, the coils, or the motor. However, the most common location of issues with fridges is the door. If a refrigerator gets opened and closed a lot during the day, then its parts can get worn down and even fail. The gasket seal is the most likely to break down. As it does, warm air can leak into the refrigerator. This will not only cause the temperature to drop, but it will cause the fridge to work harder to keep up, which will expend more energy.

How Do You Spot a Refrigerator Door Gasket Issue?

Unfortunately, when door gaskets break down, there may not be any visible evidence. If the seal is broken, it may just be by a small amount, and hard to see. There are some clues you might spot that will help you to identify if you have a gasket problem.

For one, you might notice that the unit is not cooling down as it was. Items inside might not be properly chilled, for instance. You may also see that your energy bills have been steadily increasing with no other obvious reason. In some cases, you can tell just by opening the door that there is an issue. If the seal has failed, then there will be little to no resistance when you open the door. One way to test it is by getting a small piece of paper, like a post-it note. Place half inside the fridge and half outside, and close the door. If the door is sealed properly, then you should not be able to pull the paper out easily. You can move the paper around to test out the entire gasket.

If you do notice you have a gasket issue, or even if you suspect it, the best thing to do is to call a professional immediately to fix it. The longer you wait, the worse it will get. That means escalating energy bills and possibly unsafe food.

There are many things that a restaurant or catering service operator needs to keep track of. Health and safety should be one of the top priorities of any business that prepares and serves food. The freezer is a big part of that, since it where food is kept to keep it safe and fresh. If a freezer is malfunctioning and it affects the food, then patrons could get sick and that business will suffer for it as well. This does not even take into account the cost of the food that ends up wasted. That is why it is important to be able to spot the warning signs of a malfunctioning freezer so you can get it fixed right away. Your customers and your business will thank you.

Constantly Running

If you notice that the freezer does not stop running, then it is a big tell-tale sign that something is wrong. It may be the most common and obvious indications. Properly functioning freezers cycle through refrigeration periods and then shut off after the compartment is properly cooled. Sometimes the cause may be a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat is not properly relaying the message that the temperature is low enough, then the unit will keep working to get down to a level that it has already reached. You may also have a broken gasket or seal. This can cause cool air to leak out, which makes the unit keep working hard to cool the compartment.

Compressor is Loud

If the unit is not only running for long periods, but also seems to be running louder than usual, then you might have a compressor problem. Unfortunately, the compressor is the most expensive component of a freezer. That means that if you suspect a problem with it, then you should get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent you from having to replace it altogether. In some cases, it is more affordable to simply buy a new unit than to replace the compressor.

Frost in the Freezer

You may notice that too much of it has built up inside your unit. There are several possible causes of this. It might also be caused by a thermostat issue. If could also be that the defrost timer is damaged and cause the defrost cycles to be too short. Most likely, though is that you have damaged door gaskets. If the gaskets are damaged, then warm air could be seeping into the freezer. This warm air can cause frost on your evaporator coils. This will make the temperature inside the compartment dramatically drop which can cause the compressor to overwork and malfunction.

It is important that you do not risk the health of your customers by having food that has not been properly stored in the freezer. You also certainly do not want to waste food or effort having to discard of it. Make sure that you recognize the signs that your freezer is malfunctioning, and make sure to address any issues right away. If you are unsure, then it is best to err on the side of caution and contact a repair technician right away.

Altemp Mechanical offers a variety of commercial repair services with professionals who always deliver a quality experience. Get in touch online or call us at 651-275-9111

Choosing the right commercial refrigeration option for your business can be an intimidating task. There are so many varieties and options at so many different price points that making a decision can be difficult. Having the proper refrigeration that allows you to run your business smoothly while satisfying any health regulations is massively important, so it’s not a choice to be taken lightly. Here are some things to think about when going over the options.

Size

In the food service industry, size matters. When it comes to commercial refrigerators and freezers, there are a variety of shapes and sizes that might meet your needs. Bakeries and grocery stores probably need walk-in refrigeration that can hold a lot of product at once. Restaurants may be able to get away with smaller sized units depending on the type and amount of food they serve. As well, many restaurants or other food service establishments want food to be displayed while it is being kept cool, so it is certainly another factor to consider.

Price

Obviously, whatever you choose should fit in your budget. However, you definitely don’t want to skimp on the costs when poor or improper refrigeration can cost you in time, energy, and even reputation if something goes wrong. If you’re looking to keep costs lower but still get a quality unit, try working with wholesalers or the factories themselves to eliminate or lessen the cost of middle-men.

Type

Many business owners are shocked when they realize the sheer amount of options out there from which to choose. In fact, you can even have your refrigeration unit custom-built to make sure that all of your needs are met. The sky is truly the limit.

Rent or Buy?

If buying seems like it might be difficult for your current situation, then renting might be a good option. This works well for new businesses that are testing out the market and getting their feet wet. Once they are established they can then invest in a permanent unit that will meet all their needs.

Deciding on a commercial refrigeration unit for your business should not be done on a whim. After doing some research and taking these factors into consideration, you should be able to make the right choice.

If you are in need of commercial refrigeration services, do not hesitate to contact us online or by calling 651-275-9111.

Altemp Mechanical offers commercial refrigeration gasket repair and replacement services. Over the years, we have provided critical services to grocery stores, hotels, convenience stores, and a variety of other facilities that utilize commercial refrigeration systems.

Contact us for a consultation

Altemp Mechanical offers inspections of freezer and refrigeration gaskets, followed by detailed and practical estimates and recommendations.

Altemp Mechanical has a highly experienced staff on hand that can accurately scrutinize your situation-and-offer an affordable solution to your refrigeration problems. During the repair and/or installation process, we take all measures to avoid unnecessary project costs.

What we offer

• The replacement of commercial refrigeration gaskets.
• The reduction of the refrigeration load.
• The installation of gaskets to prevent outside air from getting inside by. We secure a viable seal around the refrigerator door.

When door gaskets get too old or suffer damage, it can result in outside air leaks that cause higher refrigeration loads and excessive frost buildup on the evaporator. By replacing your damaged gasket, you will be able to achieve a stronger seal and lessen the refrigeration load.

If you are in need of refrigeration gasket replacement services, contact Altemp Mechanical online or by calling 651-275-9111.

Commercial bar coolers, also referred to as bottle coolers, are an essential component of your business. Aside from keeping drinks cold, they help to save on space. You can store and chill bottled beverages, kegs, wine, plates, mugs, and glasses.

When your bar cooler is not working properly, the first thing you should do is to contact the appliance repair professionals at Altemp Mechanical. We understand that time is money and that is why we provide services based on clients’ schedules.

Types of bar coolers fixed by Altemp Mechanical

The staff at Altemp Mechanical is professionally trained to handle different brands when it comes to commercial appliances, including bar coolers. The following are some of the main issues we can assist you with:

• Bottle coolers
• Back bar coolers
• Wine coolers
• Beer dispensers
• Glass and plate chillers
• Horizontal bottle coolers

Common problems that tend to impact bar coolers

If you are experiencing a problem with your cooler and you cannot figure out exactly what it is, it could be more than one issue. Regardless of the situation, the technicians at Altemp Mechanical will restore it to its proper working condition.

In most cases, the issue could be:

• The cooler not operating properly. In case your unit is inoperable, you should check if it has been turned off, blown a fuse, unplugged, or tripped a circuit breaker.
• The beverages are constantly freezing. If the beverages in your cooler keep freezing, the problem could be a defective thermostat in need of some adjustments.
• It has difficulty cooling. Some of the issues that can lead to cooling difficulties include warm conditions, dirty evaporator coils, dust blocking the condenser, low refrigerant, or a variety of other factors.
• It is blowing warm air. If you bar cooler is blowing warm air, it could be due to a refrigerant leak or a defective compressor.
• It is frequently cycling on and off. If your bar cooler routinely cycles on and off, it could be a result of hot weather conditions or someone leaving the cooler’s door open for long periods.

If you have an issue with your commercial bar cooler, contact Altemp Mechanical. We guarantee fast and reliable appliance repair services. In addition, Altemp Mechanical fully understands that a damaged bar cooler can be a huge inconvenience for your business. Therefore, sorting out the problem quickly and efficiently is always our top priority.

No matter your industry, it is important to ensure that any essential commercial refrigeration equipment is always operating safely and efficiently. This can be more challenging than you might expect because commercial refrigeration equipment endures demanding use. This can eventually wear down your system.

To make sure major complications do not arise with your system, preventative maintenance is crucial. However, even well kept units will experience problems every now and then. When you see early complications with your system, reach out to our Minnesota commercial refrigeration technicians right away.

Common Commercial Refrigeration Problems For The Professionals

It will not maintain temperatures.

At a certain point, you might discover the refrigerated space inside your commercial refrigerator is not adequately chilled. You might have faulty seals on doors, an issue with your compressor, or a leak. It might also be caused by a mistake made by your staff or a thermostat that is out of order. As we mentioned above, it is important to allow a trained technician to assess the system when glitches arise.

Frost or ice grows.

If you observe frost and/or ice in your commercial refrigeration equipment or on its numerous gears, you might ponder exactly what the issue is. After all, this system is intended to keep things chilled. It is understandable to think that frost and ice are supposed to develop. The truth is that you should not have frost or ice growing in your system. This could be caused by poor airflow or a leak. No matter what the particular cause of the problem is, you can depend on our staff to get to the bottom of it.

The machine is running loudly.

It is not uncommon to hear some commotion originating from your commercial refrigeration equipment. It utilizes fans, a compressor, motors, and additional mechanical elements. You should not hear extreme noise when it is operating, however, and new unfamiliar sounds should not develop. If you become aware of anything unusual with your system, schedule a consultation with Altemp Mechanical right away.