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Your walk-in freezer is a fundamental part of your business. Maintaining a clean walk-in freezer is imperative for optimal function. 

512 Refrigeration understands the constant and ever-changing demands business owners face daily. However, if your walk-in freezer becomes neglected, it can reshuffle your priorities in an instant. Keeping your walk-in freezer clean makes the difference between a well-functioning freezer and one that functions poorly, creating a host of problems that can cost you money and, worse yet, lead to fines and illness. But how do you clean a walk-in freezer?

By creating a walk-in freezer cleaning plan, you can help ensure that preventable freezer problems are stopped before they get a chance to start. Follow these tips to keep your walk-in freezer in tiptop shape. 

Keep the Floors Clean and Dry

Your walk-in freezer's floors should be swept and spot mopped regularly. Sweeping and spot mopping prevents mold growth and removes debris that can encourage pests. Remember, spot mopping isn’t the same as standard floor mopping. Spot mopping targets a specific area only. You don’t want to distribute water all over your freezer floor. A clean walk-in freezer floor is safer for employees and products stores within it.

Keep the Door Closed

Although you will be in and out of the freezer, you should not keep the door propped open. Propping open the door allows the air in the freezer to become too warm. When the door is left open too long, the freezer’s inside temperature isn’t well regulated, leading to condensation. The changes in humidity can lead to mold growth, and that’s a big problem for your business. 

Turn Out the Lights

When leaving the freezer, make sure to turn off the lights. This may seem minor, but lights produce heat. When your walk-in freezer’s lights are left on for extended periods, they burn energy unnecessarily. Worse, they can cause temperatures to rise enough to affect the freezer’s cooling system. Always remember: anything that causes the environment to warm can also cause mold to form.

Keep the Gaskets Clean

Regularly wipe down the freezer’s door gaskets with soap and water and dry them with a cloth. This will also be a good time to inspect the gaskets for cracks or damage that prevent good sealing and may allow warm air to enter your freezer. When the gaskets are dirty or deteriorating, they also create an opportunity for mold and bacteria to gain a foothold in your freezer. 

Keep the Coils Clean

Clean evaporator and condensing coils a minimum of twice a year. You should clean them using plain soap and water and a stiff brush. Dirty coils can overheat, leading your walk-in freezer to become warmer. Suboptimal temperatures caused by dirty coils present an opportunity for mold growth. Food storage issues may also arise when your freezer isn’t as cool as it should be.

Maintain Clear Drain Line 

Over time, drain lines can become clogged with debris. When fluid can’t pass through the drain lines, it can back up and spill onto the walk-in freezer’s floor. The resulting puddles can freeze and create a dangerous environment for your employees. Standing water also is an invitation for mold and fungus growth in your freezer. 

Ensure the Area around the Condenser Is Clear

Keeping your walk-in freezer clean isn’t just about the interior and the freezer’s components. You must also keep the area around the condenser clear. For your freezer to function properly, clear the area around the condenser of all items that can obstruct airflow. Without adequate airflow, your condenser can’t work as efficiently. 

Clean the Evaporator

Your walk-in freezer’s evaporator should be cleaned at least a couple of times a year using soap and water. Even if your unit appears particularly dirty, never use harsh chemicals to clean it. Evaporator coil cleaner is available; however, you should check with your freezer’s manufacturer to ensure that the product you use is right for your unit. 

When dust and dirt build up on your walk-in freezer’s evaporator, it prevents heat from escaping. When the coils don’t work properly, frost and ice can build up in your unit. As temperatures fluctuate, the ice can melt and refreeze and cause damage that hurts your products and your pocketbook in the form of lost product, higher energy costs, and repairs.

Enlist the Help of Professionals

However you use your walk-in freezer, you’re not in the business of refrigerator cleaning and maintenance. Keeping your walk-in clean requires more than most people expect. It requires cleaning unfamiliar components and inspecting parts and ensuring they are in functional condition. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle these issues on your own. 512 Refrigeration specializes in refrigeration. You can depend on us to help you maintain your walk-in freezer. Our trained technicians can not only help you keep your walk-in clean, but also they can recognize problems before they cause serious functional issues.

When your freezer is important, the team you enlist to maintain is an important choice, too.  At 512 Refrigeration, our 24-hour emergency service means you can depend on us 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We make sure you’re happy, so you can keep your customers happy, too.