Everything You Need to Know About Commercial Refrigeration Gaskets

You may not realize it, but the condition of a refrigeration unit's gasket is directly related to its health and lifespan. Below, we cover everything you need to know about commercial refrigeration gaskets:

What is the purpose of commercial refrigeration gaskets?

These strips run along the edge of the refrigerator door. They help to keep cold air inside of your commercial refrigeration unit and warm air out. Think of them as a seal that creates a barrier to maintain the right temperature.

Is it bad if a gasket breaks or becomes damaged?

A deteriorating gasket is a big problem. It allows the cool air inside your refrigerator to leak, and it lets warm air in. This affects energy efficiency, the lifespan of your commercial refrigeration unit, and your need for repairs.

How do I test a gasket's strength?

It's simple, really. Close your commercial refrigerator's door on a dollar bill, leaving half of it sticking out. Now, attempt to slide the dollar up and down. Does it easily move? Then your gasket is weak.

Have any maintenance tips?

Yes, perform the following steps every few months:

• Combine warm water and mild dish detergent, and scrub gently around the gasket to remove dirt, mildew and other buildup
• Use a clean towel to fully dry the gasket
• Apply a small amount of Vaseline over the gasket to prevent drying and cracking

If your gasket seems to be OK, but you're still noticing a rise in energy costs, you may have a more serious issue on your hands. Reach out to East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube for more tips!

Do I Need a Commercial Ice Machine?

Commercial ice machines can produce and sometimes even store ice for commercial kitchens. They differ from traditional ice machines in speed and capacity; they're designed to produce more ice, and fast.

Whether you own a restaurant, cafe or cafeteria, you're likely to need a commercial ice machine. "Purchasing the right unit ensures you have the right type of ice for your operation, and never run out of ice during business hours," advises Food Service Warehouse.

There are lots of options to choose from. Some ice machines create a full cube, while others generate flakes, which are ideal for displays. Other variations include:

• Half cubes
• Nugget ice
• Cubers
• Cublets
• Gourmet ice
• Crescent ice
• Octagonal ice

East Coast Refrigeration provides sales and service for a range of ice making products and ice storage systems. How much ice you need, of course, will depend on your usage. Click here to view our ice machine selector!

If you're still asking yourself, "Do I need a commercial ice machine?" contact East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. Our team will evaluate your commercial ice machine and provide detailed analysis along with recommendations to keep it operating efficiently.

For more tips, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube!

How to Dust Commercial Refrigeration Condensers

It's good practice to wipe the dust off your commercial refrigeration condensers every day. However, to give your unit a good clean, you'll need to go a little deeper. Here's how to dust commercial refrigeration condensers for walk-in coolers and reach-in refrigerators:

Walk-in coolers

1. Switch off your circuit breaker
2. Put together a two-person team
3. Cover up the cooler's contents
4. Get a bucket (to catch dust and debris), and line it with a damp cloth
5. Pull out your shop vac and clean the condenser 
6. Allow the vacuum to continue running for approximately 20 seconds to ensure dust reaches the tank
7. Have one team member hold the bucket up behind the vent
8. Reverse the shop vacuum's air flow to blast out dust that's settled inside the condenser unit
9. Wipe away excess dust
10. Sweep and mop the floors, and brush off the walls

 Reach-in refrigerators

1. Disconnect the power
2. Put together a two-person team
3. Cover and seal all food inside and outside of your reach-in refrigerator
4. Get a bucket (to catch dust and debris), and line it with a damp cloth
5. Pull out your shop vac and clean the condenser 
6. Allow the vacuum to continue running for approximately 20 seconds to ensure dust reaches the tank
7. Have one team member hold the bucket up behind the vent
8. Reverse the shop vacuum's air flow to blast out dust that's settled inside the condenser unit
9. Wipe down the condenser's grill cover
10. Wipe away dust and debris from the outer surfaces
11. Sweep and mop the floors, and brush off the walls

If you're having trouble keeping your equipment operating efficiently, reach out to East Coast Refrigeration about proactive maintenance. We'll create a program to meet your individual needs!

Dial 631-249-4556 to get in touch. Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and YouTube for more tips!

The Benefits of Going Green with CO2 Refrigeration

CO2 is being hailed as the eco-friendly alternative to traditional, ozone-depleting refrigerants like R-22, R-11, R-12, and R-123. And it's for good reason -- it has a low global warming potential, it has no effect on the ozone, and it's nontoxic

Switching to this clean refrigerant is also great for business. Below, we discuss the benefits of going green with CO2 refrigeration:

1. Save money

"By reducing consumption and changing some daily behaviors, your operations can move from guzzling energy to saving money," advises FSW. One way to reduce consumption is by using CO2 refrigerant. It consumes less energy without sacrificing quality.

2. Protect the environment

Yes, carbon dioxide is one of the most prevalent greenhouse gasses. However, "...as a pure gas, CO2 is extremely benign – in fact it is a natural part of the atmosphere," reports Supermarket News. This natural gas is actually harmless to the environment!

3. Keep customers coming back

According the National Restaurant Association, "Nearly two-thirds of consumers say they’re likely to consider a restaurant’s eco-friendly practices when they decide where to eat." Making the switch to CO2 refrigeration is therefore not only good for the environment, but also for your business' bottom line.

The benefits of going green with CO2 refrigeration are clear. East Coast Refrigeration offers a variety of CO2 refrigeration systems, including transcritical CO2 systems, subcritical cascade CO2 systems, secondary systems for both LT and MT, and hybrid systems. Dial 631-249-4556 for more information.

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3 Ways to Cut Commercial Refrigeration Costs

We're all looking for new ways to cut commercial refrigeration costs. No matter what industry you're in, you can apply the following ideas to your business:

1. Buy a commercial refrigeration unit

One of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make is buying and using a residential refrigerator. It may appear to be the most cost-effective solution at first; however, "there are legal and safety considerations that require all commercial kitchens to invest in commercial refrigeration," reports FSW.

2. Keep refrigerators and walk-in doors closed

Constantly opening and closing your commercial refrigeration units can run up energy costs. Reiterate to your staff how important it is to use refrigeration equipment properly. Otherwise, you may very well end up with sky-high utility bills.

3. Set refrigeration units to the correct temperature

"Roughly 30 percent of electrical consumption in [a] restaurant is used by refrigeration," advises FacilitiesNet. Make sure your refrigeration units are set between 37-40 degrees. Freezers can be kept between 0-5 degrees. Don't be tempted to keep your refrigeration units colder than necessary.

For more ways to cut commercial refrigeration costs, give East Coast Refrigeration a call at (631) 249-4556. Our team will evaluate your systems and provide a detailed analysis along with recommendations to keep your systems operating efficiently!

For more tips, connect with East Coast Refrigeration on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

East Coast Refrigeration vs. the Other Guys

East Coast Refrigeration was founded in 2005, and has become a leader in the industrial and commercial refrigeration industry. Over the years, we've realized that we often work with clients who are frustrated with the response times they are receiving from their current provider. That's just one way we beat our competitors.

Let's take a closer look at East Coast Refrigeration versus the other guys:

1. Round-the-clock service

The East Coast Refrigeration service team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to ensure we meet your commercial and industrial refrigeration needs. This simply can't be said for the other guys!

2. Customer service-focused

East Coast Refrigeration's mission is to provide the highest level of service to all of our customers in the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry. Our teamwork-oriented approach allows us to effectively manage our customer's operational and budgetary needs.

3. Experienced and factory-trained

Unlike the other guys, the East Coast Refrigeration staff is experienced and factory-trained on all major manufacturers. Plus, we're factory-authorized distributors of Vogt Ice, MGR Equipment, Keith Walking Floor and Kloppenberg Ice Bins.

To learn more about what sets East Coast Refrigeration apart from the competition, schedule an appointment with us by dialing 631-249-4556. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more info!

Commercial Refrigeration Spring Cleaning Tips

It's that time of year again! Winter's finally over, and if you're anything like us, you're eager to give your business a deep clean. Whether you run a small cafe or a giant supermarket, consider the following commercial refrigeration spring cleaning tips:

1. Remove foul odors

Over time, refrigerators can get smelly. Eliminate odors by washing the inside of your commercial refrigeration unit with a baking soda and water solution. To prevent future bad smells, place an activated charcoal odor absorber inside.

2. Clean the coils

The state of your commercial refrigeration's condenser coil affects its efficiency. Refer to your owner's manual for the location of your condenser coil. Use a commercial condenser coil cleaner to remove dust, dirt and lint.

3. Measure the temperature

To keep your food as safe as possible, your commercial refrigeration equipment's temperature should be checked. When the temperature is too high, food may spoil more easily. If the temperature is too low, you may want to inspect your unit's vents for a blockage.

Other commercial refrigeration spring cleaning tips include:

• Checking gaskets for a proper seal
• Inspecting refrigerant level
• Oiling motor

For assistance, contact East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. Don't forget to ask about our comprehensive proactive maintenance program, which is designed to keep your equipment operating efficiently.

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