Nashville: (615) 255-2002
Memphis: (901) 379-0900
Chattanooga: (423) 629-0906
Johnson City: (423) 979-0069
Knoxville: (865) 692-4840
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The fall season brings a sense of coziness and a perfect opportunity for restaurants to attract customers with seasonal delights. However, while planning menus and crafting new recipes, it's important not to overlook the backbone of every restaurant—the commercial kitchen equipment. Regular maintenance of your kitchen equipment is essential to ensure optimal performance, longevity, and the smooth operation of your establishment.
At ATECH, we have the privilege of partnering with hundreds of restaurants and commercial kitchens as their partner for equipment repairs and planned maintenance. We’ve also created a comprehensive commercial kitchen equipment planned maintenance checklist that offers recommendations for monthly, quarterly, and annual tasks.
In this blog post, we will reiterate the importance of restaurant equipment maintenance for commercial kitchens and highlight the quarterly recommendations that restaurants should consider for the fall season.
1. Check and clean all of your commercial kitchen equipment.
The change of seasons offers a natural opportunity to ensure your commercial kitchen equipment is thoroughly cleaned and working properly. From ovens and grills to fryers and refrigerators, a clean kitchen ensures food safety and enhances the efficiency and durability of the equipment.
Once per quarter, clean your equipment, and check for leaks, loose connections, and other signs of wear and tear. If you see any problems, address them right away. Check your ovens and ranges, including the door gaskets, motor, fans, timers, etc. Inspect your deep fryer tanks, calibrate the thermostat, and ensure all burners and hoses work properly. Check your broilers' burners, gas valves, and electrical controls.
2. Inspect and maintain refrigeration units, walk-ins, and reach-ins.
Well-maintained refrigeration equipment not only extends the shelf life of ingredients but also prevents costly breakdowns during peak business hours. As the temperature fluctuates, refrigeration units become even more crucial for storing perishable goods. You should conduct a thorough inspection of your coolers and freezers to identify any potential issues.
Check door seals, clean condenser coils, and ensure temperature settings are accurate. Once per quarter, we also recommend cleaning and draining your evaporator condensation pan.
3. Calibrate your kitchen equipment.
It's important to calibrate your cooking equipment once per quarter to maintain consistent cooking temperatures and ensure the quality of your culinary creations. This includes ovens, grills, ranges, and fryers. Check temperature accuracy, test heating elements, and clean burner ports to prevent uneven cooking or potential safety hazards.
4. Inspect and clean your ice machine.
We also recommend tuning up your ice machine by checking water filtration, replacing filters, and cleaning and timing a complete cycle to compare it to manufacturer specifications. Producing clean ice ensures your guests get a safe product and a positive eating experience.
5. Service your exhaust systems.
Proper ventilation is essential in a commercial kitchen to eliminate odors, remove excess heat, and reduce the risk of smoke or grease buildup. As you gear up for a busy fall season, don't forget to service your exhaust systems and replace belts twice a year.
Clean exhaust hoods and ducts, inspect fans and grease filters, and ensure proper airflow. We also recommend greasing the blower shaft bearings and oiling the motor bearings once per quarter.
6. Conduct an industry-specific HVAC tune-up.
Fall is the transition season when restaurants switch from cooling to heating modes. A well-maintained HVAC unit can switch fluidly between heat and air conditioning, but it’s still best practice to try to switch over only once a season.
As you conduct your HVAC tune-up, it’s important to remember that components of the system clear the air of aerosolized grease, allergens, and even viral particles, making it a key part of the health and safety of your restaurant. It can be helpful to find a service technician who specializes in commercial kitchen or restaurant service so your equipment doesn’t impact the comfort of your guests.
In the hustle and bustle of preparing for the fall season, it's easy to overlook your commercial kitchen's restaurant equipment maintenance needs. Determining
who is responsible for kitchen planned maintenance can cause confusion. However, neglecting regular maintenance can lead to unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and disruptions to your business operations.
At ATECH, our team understands how to keep your kitchen running smoothly in every season. We can help you design a customized planned maintenance program that fits your needs and budget. To find out how we can help keep your operation running smoothly, contact us today for a planned maintenance quote.
Locations also available in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Johnson City
Nashville: (615) 255-2002
Memphis: (901) 379-0900
Chattanooga: (423) 629-0906
Johnson City: (423) 979-0069
Knoxville: (865) 692-4840
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