Learn More About East Coast Refrigeration

We realize that before you commit to work with us, you may want to learn more about East Coast Refrigeration. Although we were founded just 10 years ago, East Coast Refrigeration has become a leader in the industrial and commercial refrigeration industry.

Our service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We promise to meet your commercial and industrial refrigeration needs!

We are a factory-authorized distributor of Vogt Ice, MGR Equipment, Keith Walking Floor and Kloppenberg Ice Bins. Moreover, we are experienced and factory-trained on all major manufacturers within the industry.

East Coast Refrigeration focuses on the following commercial and industrial refrigeration products:

• Ice machines
• Ice storage
• Ice delivery
• Walk-in coolers
• Walk-in freezers
• Warehouse refrigeration
• CO2 refrigeration
• Foodservice equipment
• HVAC units

Concerned that your current equipment may be outdated or unreliable? You can count on East Coast Refrigeration's engineering team. We'll perform an analysis on your equipment and make recommendations.

Whether you're located here on Long Island or elsewhere in the Northeast, we've got you covered. To learn more about East Coast Refrigeration, visit us online or give us a call at 631-249-4556. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube for more tips.

Commercial Refrigeration and Power Outages

With spring comes unpredictable weather. Do you have a plan in place for when the power goes out?

Power outages are especially risky for businesses in the foodservice industry. It's of utmost importance that you keep your food safe during emergencies -- even if your commercial refrigeration units have lost power. Otherwise, you put the health of your customers at risk.

According to the USDA, there are certain things you can do to plan ahead:

• Group foods together so that they stay cold longer
• Put leftovers, milk and fresh meat into the freezer
• Keep an insulated cooler filled with frozen gel packs on-hand
• Figure out where you can buy dry ice and block ice

 During a power outage, do the following:

• Keep your commercial refrigeration unit's doors closed
• If the power outage lasts longer than four hours, transfer perishable items to a cooler with ice packs
• Purchase dry ice or block ice

When the power is back, spend some time looking through your food for anything that might have spoiled. Remember, "When in doubt, throw it out!" We do not advise serving questionable foods to your clients.

Call East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556 for 24-hour emergency service. We service Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, New York City, and the entire Northeastern United States. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube for more tips.

Optimal Temperatures for Commercial Refrigeration

Whether you run a convenience store or own a restaurant, it's important to keep a close eye on your refrigerator's temperature. Maintaining the right temperature is crucial to the taste, appearance and nutrition of just about any food. Most importantly, it keeps food safe.

What are the optimal temperatures for commercial refrigeration? Below, we've broken it down by equipment type:

On a more general note, commercial refrigeration units should never exceed 40 degrees, according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Freezers, of course, need to be kept even colder.

If you can't seem to get your commercial refrigeration unit to the right temperature, there are a few things to consider:

1. With large units in particular, it may take some time for temperatures to stabilize
2. Constantly opening and closing refrigerator doors makes it more difficult to maintain optimal temperatures
3. Your thermostat's location could cause a false read

Want to learn more about optimal temperatures for commercial refrigeration? Contact East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube for more tips.

Why You Shouldn't Constantly Open & Close Your Commercial Refrigeration Unit

Did you know that keeping your commercial refrigeration unit's door open for too long wastes electricity and money?

"...[That] open door accounts for 7% of the appliance's total energy use," reports Good Housekeeping. That's right -- a huge chunk of your commercial refrigeration bill comes from simply keeping the door open for too long.

Every time you open your commercial refrigerator, cold air escapes while warmed air moves in. This puts your appliance's compressor into overdrive, working hard to drive out warm air and maintain a cold temperature. The result? A steeper energy bill and a heavier carbon footprint.

So what can you do to lower your utility costs? Follow these simple steps;

• Take several items from your commercial refrigeration unit at once
• Try to retrieve items as quickly as possible to minimize time with door open
• Stress to your staff the importance of keeping commercial refrigeration units closed

For more expert advice on commercial refrigeration, visit East Coast Refrigeration on the web or call us at 631-249-4556. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for even more tips!

How to Save by Cleaning Refrigerator & Freezer Coils

If you're looking to cut costs, consider this. During an educational session at this year's RFMA (Restaurant Facility Managers Association) Convention in San Diego, Food Service Technology Center presented new energy savings data. The findings proved that you can save simply by cleaning refrigerator and freezer condenser coils.

According to Food Service Technology Center, a six-year-old, two-door glass merchandiser used approximately 47 percent less electricity after being cleaned. A reduction of this caliber can cut energy costs by more than half.

That's just one reason why it's so important to keep your refrigerator and freezer coils clean. You'd be amazed by the money-saving potential!

If you're looking for a dependable commercial and industrial refrigeration service company, choose East Coast Refrigeration. We often work with clients who are frustrated with the response times they are receiving from their current provider.

Call us today at (631) 249-4556 to learn more about how to save by cleaning refrigerator and freezer coils. We're happy to help! Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips.

How to Prepare for a Restaurant Health Inspection

For most restaurant owners, health inspections are a nerve-wracking experience. Generally speaking, you never know when the inspector is coming. That's part of why it's so important to be ready at any moment! Below, we discuss how to prepare for a restaurant health inspection.

1. Conduct regular internal inspections

Performing frequent in-house health inspections is a smart move. It allows you to discover and correct any current issues before the health inspector does. Moreover, a weekly internal inspections ensures your food is safe and delicious! East Coast Refrigeration advises looking for the following:

• Temperatures of food
• Handling and storage of food
• Restaurant cleanliness
• Food record keeping (labeling, expiration dates etc.)
• Hand-washing and glove usage
• Equipment cleanliness
• Management of chemicals
• Restaurant operations
• Sufficient sanitizing practices

2. Stay up-to-date with food-safety rules

It's imperative that, as a restaurant owner, you stay current with food safety rules and regulations. Start here, at FoodSafety.gov. You'll get information on everything from best practices to food recalls.

3. Be aware of local health codes

Health codes vary based on location. Be sure to check with your local municipality regarding laws that could affect your business. If you're a Long Island restaurant owner, click here for Suffolk County and here for Nassau County.

If any of your commercial refrigeration units require repair, contact East Coast Refrigeration immediately. Dial 631-249-4556 or send us an email at info@eastcoastrefrig.com.  Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips!