If you own an ice cream shop, the last thing you would want to have is a malfunctioning ice cream freezer. The temperature inside the freezer needs to be perfect. If the ice cream is too soft, it means that the temperature is not sufficient and you might even need ice cream freezer repair. Whereas, if the ice cream is rock hard, it means that the temperature needs to be adjusted. Whatever the situation might be, a commercial ice cream freezer should be operating at its optimum. Let us discuss the possible causes and their fixes.
Start From The Basics
Before you go deep down into the technicalities, it is suggested that you start from the basics. Sometimes, the problem could be as simple as the door not being closed properly. A blast of air can prevent the door from closing properly and therefore, the temperature drops. If you observe that the freezer is not producing cold air, then first check if it is receiving power. Inspect the circuit breaker as well. It might be that it is tripped. If any of the above is the problem, then you are lucky to have an easy fix.
Check The Door Gaskets
Believe it or not but many problems related to commercial ice cream freezer not freezing relate to the door gaskets. If the freezer is off-level, the door will not seal properly. For instance, if the door is slightly leaning forward, the door will remain ajar. One might think that the door is closed but actually it isn’t. Therefore, make sure that the freezer is placed on a leveled surface.
Another reason for the door not sealing properly is because it might be dirty. Since door gaskets have a rubber seal installed around them, the accumulation of dirt and debris can prevent the door from sealing properly. Maintain and make sure that the freezer is kept clean.
Check The Coils
Freezers have a set of coils installed in the back that provide freezing power. Furthermore, the refrigerant also circulates inside them and evaporates once it enters the coils. Evaporation is a crucial process that draws heat out of the freezer compartment. However, this will hinder the process if the coils are frosted. Inspect the freezer coils by pulling the appliance. You will have a clear view of frosting.
If frosting is found, you will need to defrost your freezer. If the freezer is a manual-defrost model, then you will have to do it yourself. Otherwise, if it is an auto-defrost model, then it should automatically defrost itself. However, if it isn’t, there is something wrong with the defrost controls.
Equipment Malfunction
Apart from the evaporator coils, the condenser is another important component of a freezer. The reason being that it is responsible for driving the refrigerant through the coil system. Therefore, it should turn on and off for the freezer to get cold. The component that informs the condenser to turn on is called a thermistor. Check the thermistor by turning the temperature all the way off to all the way on. Listen to a clicking noise if any. If you do not hear a clicking sound, then the thermistor is not working. You will need a professional to come fix it.
Maintaining Your Freezer
Commercial ice cream freezers are not cheap. These are heavy-duty machines that work round the clock to serve the customers. Therefore, you cannot afford it to break down in the middle of a busy day. Not only will it affect the sales but force your customers to shift as well. With that being said, a commercial freezer like many other restaurant appliances needs regular maintenance. It should be kept clean and maintained in addition to being regularly inspected for leaks or malfunctioning.
Final Word
Commercial freezers are tough machines but with time can develop problems. If you own a new freezer then the problem might be an easy one to fix. However, older models could pose technical issues. In both cases, perform regular inspections and make sure that you keep it maintained at your end and get the help of commercial freezer repairs Northern VA experts whenever necessary.