Health and safety are key elements in running a catering business. Your kitchen needs to be spotless, and this includes storage areas such as fridges and freezers. Commercial fridges need to be taken care of and properly maintained. Keeping it clean will prolong its life and show you have the health and safety or your customers at heart.
Regular cleaning
Several parts of the fridge will need regular cleaning, such as the exterior doors, shelving, walls and mechanical parts like the condenser coils, fan blades, air vents and motor. The exterior should be cleaned with mild soap and water at least once a week. If you notice dirt building up, make sure it is cleaned that day. If you do not have the man power to clean your business then you could always ring a Commercial cleaning Gloucester company to come in and do it for you. They will be trained to know how and what chemicals to use in what areas and can be sourced on links such as intocleaning.co.uk/.
The interior components, such as condenser coils, should be cleaned monthly. Make sure the fridge is unplugged before starting work. You should only use mild detergent and water rather than strong chemical cleaners. Keeping the fridge clean will help to keep the parts running smoothly. Whilst cleaning, check that the fridge is at the right temperature and the trim is working effectively. A breaking trim can affect the fridge’s ability to keep foods cold.
Before you begin
To do a proper cleaning job, you’ll need to empty out the contents first. This is a good time to check each item carefully to see whether it is coming to the end of its shelf life. Make sure these items are used quickly, and throw away anything that cannot be kept. It is best to store these perishable items in another commercial fridge while you are cleaning this one.
Tackling mould or mildew
Mould and mildew love the moist, deep-seated corners of a fridge, which can be a threat to your business and your customers’ health. You can get rid of it or prevent it from building up by spraying the area with a commercial mould or mildew remover, or make your own with mixing one cup of white wine vinegar with two cups of warm water. Put it in a spray bottle, shake and spray over the affected area. Wait a few minutes before wiping off. You can do this monthly to prevent any build-up.
