Commercial Wine Storage Guide

If your restaurant sells wine, you'd better be storing it properly. "Just like any alcohol, wine has a set of storage recommendations that ensure it remains good until it is poured," advises Food Storage Warehouse. Everything from temperature to UV light needs to be considered! Here's a quick guide:

1. Keep it horizontal 

 
It's important that the wine is in constant with the cork, because it prevents it from drying out. If the cork isn't kept moist, air will make its way into the wine, eventually causing it to oxidize.

2. Maintain a cool temperature

If you're storing a lot of bottles, then you should probably invest in equipment specifically designed for storing wine. That's because wine generally isn't meant to be stored at the same temperature as the foods in your refrigerator. Dry white wines should be kept at 46-50 degrees, while some red wines are supposed to be stored at 60-64 degrees.

3. Avoid direct sunlight

UV rays can spoil wine, which is why a lot of bottles are made with dark glass. Still, it's best to keep your supply out of direct sunlight.

Is it time to invest in refrigeration equipment for your restaurant's wine? Contact East Coast Refrigeration at (631) 249-4556. Our sales team follows your project from conception through completion and beyond!

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Refrigerator Storage Time Chart

Commercial refrigeration and food safety go hand-in-hand. Many assume that the the most hazardous part about a kitchen is the scorching hot pans and razor sharp knives, but the real danger may lie within how you're storing your food.

Let's take a look at some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• One in six Americans gets sick each year from foodborne diseases
• Of the 31 known foodborne pathogens, Salmonella, Toxoplasma, Listeria, and norovirus cause the most deaths
• Salmonella causes more hospitalizations and deaths than any other foodborne bacteria

These numbers might be scary to look at, but they highlight the need for proper food storage. Are you keeping items in your commercial refrigerator for too long? Refer to Thrillist's chart below:

If food items aren't lasting as long as they should, your commercial refrigeration equipment may be the source of the problem. Contact East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556 for service on any of the following:

• Ice machines
• Ice storage & delivery systems
• Walk in coolers
• Walk in freezers
• Food service equipment
• Chillers

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Europe's Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Market Expected to Grow

By 2019, Europe's commercial refrigeration equipment market is expected to grow to a whopping $11,597.2 million. Expansion within the market will be driven by an increase of supermarkets, growth in international food trade, and a rise of frozen food items.

New refrigeration equipment will be needed to keep up with the elevated demand. According to new findings published by Transparency Market Research, "expansion of retail sector and investment in new outlets has provided necessary momentum leading to revival of the commercial refrigeration equipment market growth." Therefore, not only are new products needed, but obsolete products need to be replaced.

Europe's commercial refrigeration equipment market is segmented in to the following sectors:

• Transportation refrigeration equipment
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Beverage refrigeration
• Other equipment
• Parts

These refrigeration products are used in a variety of applications:

• Food service
• Food and beverage retail
• Food and beverage distribution
• Mom-and-pop stores
• Food and beverage production
• Other applications

To learn more about commercial refrigeration, give East Coast Refrigeration a call at 631-249-4556. We're proud to be a leader in the industry, and we're happy to answer any questions you may have! You can also find out more at our website.

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The Germiest Spots in a Commercial Kitchen

Anyone in the restaurant industry will tell you how important it is to keep a clean kitchen. Less-than-sanitary conditions can get you into big trouble during an inspection -- or worse, make your customers sick.

Some of the germiest spots in your commercial kitchen may not be so obvious. Let's take a look:

1. Cutting boards

Prevent cross-contamination by using two types of cutting boards: one for raw meat, fish and poultry, and another for things like fruits and vegetables. If you're using wooden cutting boards, be sure to hand-wash thoroughly. Plastic cutting boards can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

2. Sponges

Avoid using one sponge for too long; over time, sponges accumulate hazardous microorganisms. To eliminate germs, microwave sponges for about two minutes. You can also run through your restaurant's dishwasher. Be sure to replace often.

3. Dishtowels 

In spite of its name, the dishtowel is commonly used for so much more than drying dishes. We use kitchen towels for a variety of not-so-hygienic tasks, like wiping down counters and drying our hands. It's this multifunctional quality that makes dishtowels so germy.

Other areas in the kitchen to keep a close eye on include:

• Commercial refrigeration equipment
• Commercial kitchen tools, like blenders, can openers and spatulas
• Food storage containers

It's imperative that you keep kitchen germs at bay. If you suspect that your restaurant's refrigerator may be compromising food quality, call in the experts of East Coast Refrigeration today at (631) 249-4556. Our engineering team can do an analysis on your equipment and make recommendations.

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Make This Commercial Refrigeration Cleaner at Home!

No matter what industry you're in, it's critical that you keep your commercial refrigeration equipment clean and safe. What you might not realize is that some cleaning products contain chemicals that the FDA has deemed unhealthy -- for both you and your customers.

But that's not to say you can't give your commercial refrigeration units a good clean. In fact, you can make a commercial refrigeration cleaner in the comfort of your own home! Follow these steps:

• Combine 2 cups of hot water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 10 drops of your preferred essential oil in a spray bottle
• Power off your unit to save money while you clean
• Clear out your commercial refrigeration equipment
• Wipe down shelving and drawers with dish detergent and warm water, and lay them out to dry
• Spray down the interior of your commercial refrigeration unit with your homemade concoction, and scrub stubborn stains with a sponge or cloth
• Be sure to clean your equipment's back wall, ceiling and door
• Using a clean towel, dry your commercial refrigerator
• Replace any shelves and drawers after they've dried out
• Turn your unit back on
• Toss out any spoiled items, and then restock your unit

Keeping your commercial refrigeration system spotless should be a top priority. If you notice something off about your equipment, give East Coast Refrigeration a call right away at (631) 249-4556. We are experienced and factory trained on all major manufacturers!

Want more tips on commercial and industrial refrigeration? Don't forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

An Overview of Our Videos

Are you on YouTube? So are we! Below, we take a look at East Coast Refrigeration's collection of videos:

Commercial Refrigeration | East Coast Refrigeration | (631) 249-4556

In our animated video, we take the opportunity to introduce ourselves and talk about what it is that we do. It's our mission to provide the highest level of service to all of our customers in the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry. From walk-in coolers and freezers to ice machines and delivery systems, we've got you covered!

Supermarket Cases | East Coast Refrigeration

Take a look at some of the work East Coast Refrigeration has done in grocery stores. We install and service supermarket cases across Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. We also travel throughout the Northeastern US.

Refrigeration Systems | East Coast

We are experienced and factory trained on all major manufacturers equipment, and we’re the new industrial refrigeration dealer for Hill Phoenix. When you call us, an actual person answers the phone, ready to help get you started.

Walk-Ins | East Coast Refrigeration

Did you know that East Coast Refrigeration can help you with  walk in coolers, walk in freezers and warehouse refrigeration? Take a peek at some of our work, and contact us for service and installation.

To keep up with all of our video updates, we encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Have specific questions? Don't hesitate to give East Coast Refrigeration a call at 631-249-4556.