East Coast Refrigeration: An Animated Overview

At www.EastCoastRefrigeration.org, you’ll find everything you need to know about our business including what services we provide, resources, news and more. We offer a wide range of services for businesses, including repair and installation of the following commercial and industrial refrigeration systems:

• Ice machines
• Walk in coolers
• Walk in freezers
• Warehouse refrigeration

Don’t have time to look through our website? No problem at all! We've created a quick animated video that explains exactly what you can expect from East Coast Refrigeration. Our main focus is on commercial and industrial refrigeration systems, and we're experienced and factory-trained on all major manufacturers equipment. Plus, we're the new industrial refrigeration dealer for Hill Phoenix. Learn more by watching our animated video below:

From walk-in coolers or freezers to ice storage and delivery systems, we've got you covered. For more information, please give us a call at (631) 249-4556, or visit us on the web at www.EastCoastRefrigeration.org. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

3 Ways to Save Energy in The Kitchen

Your business has enough expenses without having to worry about wasting energy in the kitchen. There are many things you can do to cut back on your energy usage. Below are three ways to save energy in the kitchen:

1. Choose an energy-efficient refrigeration unit

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when choosing a commercial refrigerator, it's important to pay attention to kWh. This tells you how much electricity a model uses in one year. East Coast Refrigeration offers a variety of refrigeration equipment approved by ENERGY STAR. These units can use up to 40 percent less than conventional models sold in 2001.

2. Clean your condenser coils

Dust can accumulate on your refrigeration unit's condenser coils, restricting cool-air flow and making your equipment work harder. House Logic recommends vacuuming up dust and debris on the mechanism every six months.

3. Avoid putting warm food inside freezers & refrigerators

Placing hot or warm food inside of your business' commercial refrigerator wastes energy. That's because, according to Earth 911, your refrigeration unit must use extra energy to cool itself back down afterwards.

Have more tips on how to save energy in the kitchen? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+! Don't hesitate to call East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556 for your commercial and industrial refrigeration needs.

How to Prevent Condensation in Your Walk-In Refrigerator

When condensation forms in your business’ walk-in refrigerator, it’s not only unsightly but also could be a sign of a bigger problem. Having an understanding of what causes condensation can help you to avoid it. Condensation is most commonly caused by warm air getting into a refrigeration unit through a worn out gasket. Below we’ll explain how to prevent condensation in your walk-in refrigerator.

Understand where it comes from. Walk-in refrigerators can collect condensation for a number of reasons. As aforementioned, one of the most common causes for condensation in your walk-in refrigerator is a broken or worn down gasket. According to SF Gate, warm air will enter your refrigeration unit through a bad gasket, leading to water droplets.

If you tend to place warmed up foods directly into your business’ walk-in refrigerator, this can also cause a buildup of moisture. Avoid transporting foods directly from the stove to the refrigerator to prevent this type of condensation.

Make sure your walk-in refrigerator is level. Warm outside air doesn’t have to come in through your refrigerator’s doors. If your walk-in refrigerator isn’t as level as possible, then air can even squeeze in through the floor.

Caulk to seal it up. Caulking the seams around the areas where you’ve noticed condensation is an easy fix. Be sure to choose a high quality caulk that’s also mold-resistant.

Whether you have an 8-by-10-foot walk in box or a custom 10,000-foot refrigerated warehouse, East Coast Refrigeration can replacement it or repair it. Call us today at (631) 249-4556 if you have any additional questions about how to prevent condensation in your walk-in refrigerator. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

How to Keep Your Walk-In Cooler Smelling Fresh

If you own a supermarket or convenience store, you might struggle with keeping your walk-in coolers clean and tidy. Between keeping an eye out for mold and mildew and dealing with messy customers, there’s a lot to maintain. Let’s go over how to keep your walk-in cooler smelling fresh.

Clean it regularly. The first step in preventing a smelly walk-in cooler is to keep it clean. At the end of every day, check for spills and spoiled foods. The sooner you clean them up, the better. Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine recommends cleaning a walk-in cooler’s walls and floors with one part bleach and 32 parts water. Look for crumbs and dirt on the floor as well, which should be swept up as soon as possible.

Invest in baking soda. Can you identify where spills and spoils within your walk-in cooler most often occur? If so, then we recommend strategically placing boxes of baking soda in those areas. As with any residential refrigerator, baking soda is great for absorbing less-than-pleasant odors.

Check for mold and mildew. According to “Lab Notes,” a quarterly publication of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis Environmental Health and Safety, “Walk-in coolers are ideal environments for mold growth due to the high moisture levels and abundant food sources...” Furthermore, walk-in coolers are prone to growing mold due to frequent entries and exits. Check for mold daily, and use the bleach and water solution mentioned above to remove it.

Looking for more tips on how to keep your walk-in cooler smelling fresh? Call East Coast Refrigeration today at (631) 249-4556. We provide installation, replacement or repair on a variety of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

How to Safely Transport Commercial Refrigeration

Whether you’re reorganizing your commercial kitchen or moving to a new location, one big obstacle will be moving your refrigeration equipment. A commercial refrigerator is heavy, and not handling it properly could result in injury to the mover and damage to the appliance. Let’s discuss how to safely transport commercial refrigeration.

Empty and defrost it

You’re not going to be able to move a commercial refrigerator without first emptying its contents and allowing it to defrost. Give it about six hours to thaw out before attempting to transport it. Take out any detachable parts – like trays and shelves – and pack them up separately. Disconnect your commercial refrigeration unit from all outlets and turn off the power supply.

Close and secure its doors

Prevent your commercial refrigeration unit’s doors from swinging open by fastening them closed. We don’t recommend using tape, as it can break, damage the finish or leave behind residue. Instead, head to your local home improvement store for a strong rope or bungee cord.

Keep it upright

It may not be safe to lay your refrigeration equipment on its back or side. Always try to keep the unit upright when moving it; avoid tilting as much as possible. Recruit a few strong friends to lift your commercial refrigeration onto a dolly if you don’t have too far to go. If you’re transporting the unit to a faraway location, hire a truck.

After you’ve moved your commercial refrigeration equipment into its new space, let it rest for a few hours before plugging it back in. This will prevent damage and allow fluids to settle. Have more questions about commercial refrigeration? Contact East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556 today. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

Why Your Business Needs Commercial Refrigeration

If you own a small restaurant or café, you might be tempted to purchase a residential refrigerator instead of investing in commercial refrigeration. Residential refrigerators are less expensive, smaller and less powerful. Be that as it may, there are many reasons why your business needs commercial refrigeration, from functionality to safety. Let’s take a closer look:

You simply cannot have a functioning commercial kitchen without dependable cold storage. Commercial refrigeration provides more storage space, keeps perishables fresher longer and is designed for easy cleaning. Residential refrigerators cannot compete in these areas.

Moreover, residential refrigeration options are not as safe for commercial kitchens. They contain weaker compressors and less insulation, resulting in fluctuations in temperature. Foods stored on the door are often not kept at the proper temperature, posing a safety risk. And, according to Food Service Warehouse, residential refrigerators often do not comply with health code inspections.

On the other hand, commercial refrigeration solutions are designed to meet and exceed health codes. Commercial refrigerators are more powerful, allowing them to maintain a consistent temperature. Lastly, the materials used in manufacturing commercial refrigeration products are of a higher grade. This allows them to better resist bacteria and makes them more durable.

Have more questions about why your business needs commercial refrigeration? Contact East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556 today. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

The Australian Green Cooling Council on Transcritical CO2 Supermarket Refrigeration

Most supermarkets across the globe use HCFC 22 for refrigerant. The problem with HCFC 22 is that it contributes to ozone depletion and has a very high Global Warming Potential (GWP). That’s why governments and businesses are looking for eco-friendly alternatives. One such alternative might just be CO2.

The Australian Green Cooling Council recently released research on transcritical CO2 supermarket refrigeration. In its study, the Council recognizes that reducing a company’s carbon footprint impacts more than just the environment; it also has economic, regulatory and corporate image benefits. Utilizing CO2 as a refrigerant can help decrease a company’s ecological footprint.

Here are some benefits of transcritical CO2 supermarket refrigeration:

• Lowest GWP possible
• Very low cost
• Excellent heat transfer
• Nontoxic
• Not flammable
• No significant safety barriers

Currently in Australia, there are approximately 30 cascade CO2 systems in commercial refrigeration and food processing facilities. It’s likely not more widespread because of higher design and installation costs. Other hurdles for bringing the alternative to market include:

• Scarcity of experienced technicians in the design, installation and maintenance of CO2 systems
• Negative ideas about using CO2 as a refrigerant
• Risks involved with trying something new

The chart below, courtesy of the Australian Green Cooling Council, compares the advantages and disadvantages of transcritical C02, cascade CO2 and secondary refrigeration systems:

 
To learn more about CO2 refrigeration, visit East Coast Refrigeration on the web or dial (631) 249-4556 today. Don’t forget to check us out on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!