Everything You Need to Know About Safe Food Storage

If you work in the restaurant industry, you simply can't risk serving spoiled food. And if you're storing ingredients incorrectly, they may expire way before the printed date. Proper food storage will help keep your food fresh for as long as possible.

That said, here's (almost) everything you need to know about safe food storage:

Keep appliances at the right temperature. Commercial refrigerators should be kept between 35-38 degrees. If you set it too cold, things will freeze. Any warmer, and bacteria is more likely to grow. Your commercial freezer should be kept at about 0 degrees.

Put groceries in the fridge ASAP. Whether you've just received a delivery or stopped by the store for a few things, get all food items into your commercial refrigerator as fast as possible. On hot days, it will only take one hour for meat and dairy products to become unsafe.

Refer to labels for storage instructions. You may be refrigerating items that don't need to be chilled, which is a waste of space and energy. You could also be putting some foods in the pantry when they actually need to be refrigerated. Pay close attention for best taste!

If after taking these steps your food still spoils quickly, then your commercial refrigerator may need to be serviced. East Coast Refrigeration can repair your refrigeration unit, and fast! Dial (631) 249-4556 for 24-hour emergency service.

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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.

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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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