East Coast Refrigeration: FAQs

East Coast Refrigeration is a leader within the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry. Our focus is on commercial and industrial ice machines as well as walk in coolers, walk in freezers and warehouse refrigeration. Below we answer some of our most frequently asked questions:

What areas does East Coast Refrigeration serve?

East Coast Refrigeration is located in Deer Park, Long Island but our service area extends far beyond that. We will support commercial and industrial refrigeration clients throughout much of the Northeast. Call us at (631) 249-4556 for emergency service.

What types of equipment does East Coast Refrigeration sell and service?

We offer a wide variety of equipment for commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. Our products include:

• Ice machines
• Ice storage system
• Ice delivery systems
• Walk-in coolers
• Walk-in freezers
• Combination coolers and freezers
• CO2 refrigeration systems
• Under counter refrigerators
• Under counter freezers
• Upright refrigerators
• Upright freezers
• HVAC units

What are the benefits of choosing a maintenance program?

Businesses have a lot to gain from signing up for a maintenance program with East Coast Refrigeration:

• Ensures systems run efficiently and properly
• Detects potential issues before they become expensive repairs
• Reduces the likelihood of equipment failure and downtime
• Improves efficiency and lowers utility costs
• Ensures regular proactive service visits
• More cost-effective than annual repairs and service

What industries does East Coast Refrigeration serve?

We work with a variety of businesses including food service, distribution, supermarkets, small manufacturing and food processing plants, manufacturing, food processing and packaging, cold storage and packaged ice. Learn more by visiting our website. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

5 Signs Your Refrigerator Needs to Be Repaired

If you’re in the foodservice industry, you depend on your refrigerator to keep your business alive. After all, you can’t do anything with spoiled ingredients! That’s why it’s important to be aware of how your refrigerator is running and whether or not it needs to be serviced. A delay could have a catastrophic impact on your business’ operations. Below are five signs your refrigerator needs to be repaired:

You’ve noticed that its compressor motor isn’t turning off. According to Food Service Warehouse, it could mean one of two things: “Either the motor itself is defective or your thermostat is faulty.” The experts of East Coast Refrigeration can inspect your refrigerator to determine why the compressor motor isn’t cycling and offer the best solution.

Your energy bill has increased. If your energy bill seems to climb every month, it could have to do with your refrigerator. Refrigerators are an energy hog of an appliance, so when something goes wrong, it’s often reflected in your energy rates.

You’re hearing strange noises. These days, appliances like refrigerators are designed to run quietly and smoothly. Have you noticed abnormal noises coming out of it lately? Don’t just ignore it and hope it will go away – a noisy refrigerator could be a huge red flag. Get a technician in there as soon as possible to look for potential problems.

Ice has formed on the back wall. A few ice crystals are fine, but if thick ice is building up deep inside of your refrigerator, it may be due to a failure within the defrost system. Take this sign seriously and call East Coast Refrigeration for a diagnosis today.

Food is going bad quickly. Does it feel like you’re throwing away more and more food each week? It might not just be in your head. Your refrigerator could be warmer than it used to be, causing precious ingredients to rot faster.

If you’d rather not have to look for signs that your refrigerator requires a repair, why not choose a maintenance program from East Coast Refrigeration? We will ensure that your systems are running efficiently and properly. Plus, we can detect potential issues before they become an expensive repair. Contact us today at (631) 249-4556 to learn more. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

How an Under Counter Refrigerator Adds Space

The under counter refrigerator is one of the best space-saving appliances for a busy kitchen or bar. They’re designed to fit underneath standard 40-inch counter tops, keeping ingredients chilled without sacrificing space. Let’s discuss in detail how an under counter refrigerator adds space:

Eliminates bulky and awkward refrigerators

In small restaurant kitchens with limited space, standard refrigerators are just not a viable option. Under counter refrigerators, also called low boys, offer plenty of storage space but will fit better inside of a cramped kitchen.

Saves valuable worktop space

Placing a refrigerator underneath a counter top keeps your workspace clear. Installing a traditional refrigerator, on the other hand, involves removing valuable counter space that could be used for preparing foods and plating meals. Your food service business depends on this space – don’t lose it.

Keeps refrigerated products close at hand

Installing an under counter refrigerator will also help save you time. Positioning an under counter refrigerator next to your worktable ensures you’ll never have to run around your restaurant’s kitchen to prep another meal. Food will taste fresher, and cooks will be less stressed.

East Coast Refrigeration sells and services commercial under counter refrigerators. We know that this space-saving solution will help your restaurant’s kitchen run more smoothly. This refrigeration option is also great for snack bars, pizzerias, soup and sandwich chops, and even concession stands. Dial (631) 249-4556 today to learn more or for emergency service. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

3 Things to Know About Commercial HVAC Maintenance

While general commercial contractors are ideal for simple issues like plumbing and basic repairs, they’re not necessarily qualified to work on your business’ HVAC system. HVAC systems are complex, and they therefore require a qualified specialist. Here are three more things to know about commercial HVAC maintenance:

Technicians need to be licensed. To work in the commercial HVAC field, you need the right certifications. Our licenses are comprehensive, allowing us to undertake complicated procedures for your business. Working with a licensed business like East Coast Refrigeration also ensures that any and all manufacturers’ warranties are not voided.

A good commercial HVAC company will keep an inventory of parts. A handyman or general contractor will rarely have quick and easy access to the parts and supplies needed for HVAC maintenance. East Coast Refrigeration services all sorts of commercial HVAC systems, and we’re well-equipped to take care of yours as well. Our service team is trained and experienced on all major manufacturers.

It's important to diagnose problems early on. Finding issues with a commercial HVAC system early will help extend its lifespan. We can identify issues before they become serious problems. This will save you money in extra repairs.

For more information about HVAC products, installation and maintenance, give East Coast Refrigeration a call at 631-249-4556 today. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

3 Tips for Organizing Your Restaurant's Refrigerator

Cooking in a commercial kitchen is stressful enough. A disorganized refrigerator will only make things worse. Furthermore, a well-organized refrigerator can minimize waste, save you money and make your customers happier. Below are three tips for organizing your restaurant’s refrigerator.

Organize foods based on the temperature at which they need to be cooked. Foods that don’t require cooking should be placed at the very top of your restaurant’s refrigerator. Store uncooked meats at the bottom; they need to be cooked to the highest temperature. According to The Kitchn, “When organized this way, any cross contamination that occurs won't be a problem because the food that's contaminated has to be cooked to a higher temperature than the food sitting above it that dripped down.” It’s a smart way to keep your customers safe!

Keep out foods that don’t need to be refrigerated. Chances are your restaurant’s refrigerator gets a bit crowded. A lot of foods actually don’t require refrigeration. Furthermore, some foods (like potatoes and onions) should NOT be refrigerated. Removing these food items from your refrigerator will help make room for things that must be refrigerated.

Move your refrigerator away from cooking equipment. Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine recommends placing cold storage units “as far as possible from heat sources.” Keeping your restaurant’s refrigerator away from ovens and grills will prevent it from working overtime, saving you power and money.

What other tips do you have for organizing your restaurant’s refrigerator? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. To learn more about commercial and industrial refrigeration, give East Coast Refrigeration a call at 631-249-4556 today.

How to Choose the Right Ice Machine for Your Business

Commercial and industrial ice machines come in a variety of sizes meant for all kinds of industries, from restaurants to healthcare services. According to Food Service Warehouse, “The right commercial ice machines will keep up with demand without creating a surplus of ice, which may end up being wasted.” But how do you choose the right ice machine for your business? Take the following points into consideration:

How many tons of ice do you need daily?

Whether your business needs to produce 2 tons or 20 tons of ice every day, there’s an ice machine for you. East Coast Refrigeration’s HES series machines, P112 machine and VT series machines will produce up to 3 tons of ice per day in tube, crushed or cracked form. On the other hand, our P34 machine will produce between 56 and 76 tons of ice per day. To estimate how many tons of ice you need daily, estimate customer traffic and consider overestimating to allow for growth. Use East Coast Refrigeration’s Ice Machine Selector to narrow down your options.

Where will you put it?

It’s important to place your ice machine somewhere accessible. Furthermore, be sure to pay attention to how you’ll power the ice machine, where you’ll be getting water from, and how you’ll install drainage holes. eBay advises that there are “four basic types of ice machines based on where you plan on putting them.” Ice machine heads are placed on top of beverage dispensers, under-counter ice machines live underneath a counter, countertop ice machines are smaller and can stay on top of a counter, and portable ice machines are smaller still.

Which brand do you prefer?

When it comes to ice machines, East Coast Refrigeration offers a variety of brands:

• Vogt
• Hoshizaki America, Inc.
• Manitowoc
• Scotsman
• Keith
• MGR
• Kloppenberg

From cubers to cublets and flakers, we offer a full array of ice making solutions for any commercial or industrial application. Whether you require 200 pounds a day or 200 tons a day, we have the right machine for you. For more information, give East Coast Refrigeration a call at 631-249-4556 today. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

3 Reasons to Upgrade Your Supermarket's Refrigerators

The supermarket industry is known for having tight profit margins. What's worse, owning and managing a grocery store is only becoming more expensive, due to increases in energy costs. According to EnergyStar.gov, the average supermarket spends $200,000 per year in energy costs, resulting in 1,900 tons of carbon dioxide being released into the air.

Your store's refrigeration system is probably costing you more than you realize. Let's take a look at three reasons to upgrade your supermarket's refrigerators.

1. To decrease energy consumption

When too much cold air is released from your grocery store's refrigerated displays, it affects much more than the comfort of of your customers and employees. The air leak will cause you to consume more energy in an effort to keep food items at their optimal temperatures. Furthermore, you might find yourself installing space heaters -- huge energy suckers -- to make patrons and staff members more comfortable. An energy-efficient refrigerator costs less to run and allows less cold air to escape.

2. To increase profitability

EnergyStar.gov reports that "a 10 percent reduction in energy costs can increase net profit by as much as 16 percent." For large supermarket chains, installing more energy-efficient refrigerators could result in millions of dollars in extra profit.

3. To reduce spoilage

"Supermarkets and restaurants serve up more than 400 million pounds of food each year, but nearly a third of it never makes it to a stomach," notes NPR. For grocery stores in particular, this is at least in part due to inadequate refrigeration. Upgrading your supermarket's refrigeration system can help reduce spoilage of perishable goods.

Reedy to upgrade your grocery store's refrigerators? East Coast Refrigeration offers commercial refrigeration projects to help make your store more efficient. To discuss options, give us a call at (631) 249-4556 today! Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ as well!