Commercial Refrigeration units are counted amongst the most important components of the operational infrastructure of restaurants, department stores, and large-scale storage units. As such, they are built to last a long period of time and store varied food items. They are not, however, immune to the development of bad odour.
Problems of Odour Control In Commercial Refrigeration Units
Whilst any type of bad odour in your commercial refrigerator can have major implications on food quality and customer perception, not all types of odour are a result of rotten food items. Some odours are a result of the growth of mould on the refrigerator coils or inadequate cleaning. It is also possible that there is some undetected leakage in the equipment.
Irrespective of what is causing bad odour in your commercial refrigerator, you must focus on the resolution of the issue at the earliest. Not only is a bad odour in the unit harmful to the food items in storage, but it could also be indicative of a bigger malfunction.
Here's How You Can Address Odour Issues In Your Commercial Refrigerators
Here are some easy yet effective ways through which you can solve odour issues in your commercial refrigerator:
By Inspecting The Refrigerator
Upon the detection of any foul odour in your commercial refrigerator, the first step you must take is a visual inspection of the interior of the unit. If there are any visible stains or spills, they could be the root cause of the odour. Following this, you must check the temperature of the unit and ensure that it is optimal. The third thing you should look out for is any mould growth in the interiors.
By Cleaning The Refrigerator
Having checked the insides of your commercial refrigerator, you must proceed with a comprehensive cleaning of the unit. To do so, you ought to remove all the contents from the fridge and clean all the shelves and corners of the equipment with a mixture of soap and water. It is important to remember not to use any harsh chemicals for this process.
By Using Odour Absorbents
Should the bad odour in your commercial refrigeration unit persist even after extensive cleaning of the equipment, you must place an odour absorbent inside the unit. You can opt for food-safe odour absorbents, for instance, freshly found coffee powder, some baking soda, or a bowl containing charcoal. Keep the odour absorbent inside the fridge for a few days and observe the changes in the quantum of the odour.
By Scheduling A Service Appointment
If the bad odour in your commercial refrigerator continues, you must book a service appointment for the unit. Only a trained and experienced technician can identify any major damage to the fridge that could be causing bad odour, for instance, damaged internal coils. Once the refrigerator has been serviced, any bad odour issue should be fixed.
Ensure Regular Maintenance Of Your Commercial Refrigerator
Since a commercial refrigerator is a critical element of the supply chain, it is pivotal to ensure regular maintenance of the equipment. In addition to scheduling periodical service appointments for the unit, you must also engage in basic hygiene practices such as cleaning the unit every few days, checking for any malfunction and mould growth, etc.
One of the best decisions you could take vis-a-vis a commercial refrigerator is opting for a reputed brand. If you select a commercial refrigeration unit from one of the premier refrigerator manufacturers in India, for instance, Western Equipments, you are less likely to be troubled by any manufacturing defects. Even so, regular maintenance and cleaning of the equipment would still be necessary.
