4 Recommended Care Tips to Ensure Your Blast Chiller Works as it Should

Whether you’re running a restaurant, an industrial kitchen or your own catering business from home, having the right appliances, gadgets, and equipment is as essential as knowing how to prepare quality food. Some appliances are more essential than others and should be high on your must-have list. 

One such appliance is a model from the extensive range of cabinet blast chillers on offer for commercial kitchens. More commonly known as flash freezers, these appliances have been designed to rapidly cool anything you place inside them. This ensures that food is stored at the right temperature and stays fresh until it’s needed. 

Routine Maintenance is Essential

If you have a commercial kitchen, then you know that properly caring for your appliances and equipment is essential to ensure they work as optimally as possible. In a country that gets as hot and humid as Australia does, the last thing you need is for food to be stuck in a hot, non-functioning freezer. 

Avoid this by performing routine maintenance on all your cooling equipment which includes your blast chillers. We’ve compiled a list of the top ways to ensure that your blast chiller is always keeping things cool. 

1. Keep a Clean Chiller

Other than your combi oven, your blast chiller may be your most treasured appliance. Not only can it keep food fresher for longer, but it will also reduce the amount of time you spend on food prep. It also means that continually being handled may leave some parts looking grubby. That said, the most important care aspect for your blast chiller is to keep it clean. Here are the most common care tips to get this process started:

• Fan cleaning: Overtime, dust buildup can easily hamper your chiller’s cooling ability. This makes it essential to ensures that the fans are cleaned often to remove dust and bacteria. Refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific blast chiller model. Be sure to check the condenser coil for dust and accumulated debris.
• Interior cleaning: The inside of your fridge may potentially see many food spills so start by removing any spilt food that may be accumulating in the chiller. Remove any expired food to avoid cross contamination. Use warm water and a mild detergent to clean out any marks. Keep food in sealed containers to avoid spills and leaks–this makes cleaning simpler and avoids chances of bacteria.
• Exterior cleaning: Use a mild detergent (such as dish soap) to wipe away any dirt or grease. Avoid abrasive cleaners as these may contain chemicals that will strip the finish.

2. Defrosting is Essential

Having a blast chiller that’s frosted up will also hamper its overall performance. Avoid this by ensuring that regular defrosting happens to regulate the desired temperature. This ensures that your food is always at the right temperature. Here’s what you need to know to do this:

• Defrosting: All cooling appliances need to defrost to removes excess ice buildup which maintains your chiller’s overall efficiency. Defrosting processes may vary but the common technique is to power the unit off and unplug it before starting the defrosting process. Check your manufacturer’s guidelines for any specific instructions.
• Regulated temperature: Ensure that your blast chiller is only be operated at the suggested temperature. This will ensure that it stays within the safest operating range. Place food into the chiller in advance to get the desired result, as opposed to trying to cool it at the last minute and increasing the temperature. 

3. Check Components Such as Door Seals and Hinges

Your cabinet blast chiller is most likely the one appliance that is opened and closed more than any other in your kitchen. Keep in mind that this will add extensive wear and tear to the seals and hinges. Add the maintenance of these to your monthly maintenance schedule. Here’s what you need to know. 

• Hinges: The manufacturer’s instructions will highlight the best way to lubricate the hinges. Doing this often will reduce squeaking and ensure overall smooth operation.
• Door seals: Regular inspections will highlight any cracks in the seals. Cracked seals may need to be replaced as soon as possible to prevent temperature leaks.

4. Draw Up a Service Schedule and Stick to It

It’s a good idea to invest in a professional maintenance plan for your blast chiller and other cooling equipment. This means that a qualified technician will take over the responsibility of ensuring that your equipment is running smoothly. Here’s what we recommend:

• Scheduled maintenance: All blast chiller manufacturers offer a suggested maintenance schedule. Based on this, you can arrange with your local chiller technician for routine inspections, servicing and overall cleaning. 
• Component checks: Technicians will check all the crucial components such as compressors, fans and electrical components. They will also check any refrigerant levels and top up any shortages. 

Final Thought

There are many good reasons why investing in a blast chiller for your commercial or industrial kitchen is essential. However, to ensure that your flash freezer works as optimally as it should, it will involve regular maintenance. Use our tips as well as the care instructions found in your supplier’s manual to ensure that your freezer cools when you need it to!