2 Signs Your Restaurant's Commercial Freezer Needs Replacing

Lately, you may have noticed that your restaurant's frozen foods either come out with freezer burn or are partially thawed. After checking the thermostat, however, everything seems to be okay. If you suspect that your commercial freezer is getting ready to break down, look for the following signs that it is time to have it replaced.

1. Ice Forms on the Sides of the Freezer and on the Food Packages

One sign that your restaurant's freezer is starting to fail and may need to be replaced is when you start finding ice buildup on the insides of the compartment and even on the food packages. When you first notice the ice, you may believe that you have the thermostat set too low and may even turn it up.

However, if ice is forming inside of the freezer, this typically means that the unit is not going through the freezing cycles as well as it should. If the freezer is staying warm for longer periods of time, condensation will build up. Then, when the temperatures drop, the condensation freezes and creates the ice buildup. 

If this is happening, the food may partially thaw during the warm periods then refreeze. This scenario not only affects the quality and taste of the food, but it could allow for the growth of harmful bacteria.

2. Water Puddles Collect Outside of the Freezer's Door

Another sign that your freezer is going bad is when you start finding water puddles that have collected outside of the freezer's door. This sign is usually found in conjunction with the ice formation problem discussed in the previous section.

If ice is building up inside the freezer's compartment, it will start to melt when the cycle warms up the area. As it warms up, the ice will melt, and the water will flow out. This issue could be caused by a faulty thermostat, which could be relatively easy to replace. However, if the thermostat is replaced and the issue continues, the condenser could be to blame. In this case, you would need to replace the freezer.

Keeping your restaurant's food safe for your customers should always be one of your top priorities. If your freezer is no longer working properly, it may be time to consider replacing it. If you do not have the budget that allows for a new one, contact a business that sells used stainless steel three-door commercial freezers to find out what options they have available.