Why is my fridge freezing?

Noticed your fridge freezing food or other items? Here’s a few of the most common reasons why it might be happening and how you can prevent it.

Fridge freezing

Picture this:

You’re opening up shop for the day, and about to take stock of your refrigerator. Only to find that all your items are frozen solid.

It happens more than you might think, and there are several reasons why it could be happening.

Here, our commercial refrigeration experts run through some of the most common causes of frozen fridges.

 

1.    Incorrect temperature

Perhaps the most common cause of fridges freezing up is the thermostat being set at the wrong temperature.

9 times out of 10, this happens accidentally when you’re stocking items inside or cleaning, for example.

Of course, if the temperature is colder than it needs to be (around 5C), items may freeze.

To avoid this issue, be sure to check the thermostat is set to the right temperature after each restock or clean-out.

 

2.    Faulty temperature sensor

If you’ve got your refrigerator set to the optimal temperature, but you’re still noticing items inside freezing up, it could be that the temperature sensor itself is faulty.

If you suspect this is the problem, you can check your fridge’s temperature manually by placing a glass of water, with a cooking thermometer inside, on the top shelf.

Leave it to sit for 24 hours, then check the temperature. If it’s reading outside 2 degrees of the set temperature, then this is a surefire sign that there’s a problem with the sensor.

 

3.    Dirty coils

All commercial refrigerators have a condenser coil mounted on the outside of the unit and an evaporator coil on the inside.

The refrigerant liquid passes through these coils to facilitate heat exchange, and if either of the coils gets dirty, your unit will have to work harder to sustain the optimum temperature. Which, sometimes, can lead to overcooling and your goods inside freezing up.

Coils are super easy to clean, and you should be able to locate further instructions in your owner’s manual.

 

4.    Dodgy gaskets

Gaskets are the rubber linings of your refrigerator doors and create a tight seal to prevent heat from being exchanged between the room and the inside of your fridge.

If they get damaged and begin to leak, your unit will overcompensate, resulting in everything on the inside starting to freeze.

To test if you have a bad gasket, close a piece of paper in the door and attempt to pull it out without opening the door again. If the paper slides out seamlessly, with no issues, it’s likely your gasket needs to be replaced.

 

5.    Blocked air vent

Air vents are what help cold air circulate in your refrigerator, and they ensure the internal temperature stays consistent.

If anything blocks the air vent, not only can it prevent air from reaching other parts of the unit, but direct exposure to the cold air can cause food and other contents to freeze.

Solving this problem is simply a case of rearranging your refrigerator – redistributing and removing items to make sure nothing is blocking the air vents to improve airflow.

 

Preventing accidental freezing

Frozen produce can be disastrous for businesses, but there are many things you can do to prevent it, including:

  • Check your fridge settings – the majority of the time, people find that their fridge is freezing up because it’s set to the incorrect temperature, so make sure to adjust it accordingly if it seems a little off.
  • Make sure your unit is well stocked – a fully stocked fridge can actually keep things from freezing up, as it helps to distribute the cold air evenly among everything inside, rather than just sinking to the bottom and freezing everything there. Doing this will also help maintain optimal temperatures and, as a result, your unit will use less energy!
  • Book a refrigerator service – Booking a refrigerator service with a licenced professional will help identify any problem areas that could be causing your fridge to freeze up. When you work with a professional, they’ll be able to diagnose and repair everything to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

 

Book a commercial refrigerator service with J&M Refrigeration!

Here at J&M Refrigeration, we offer a range of maintenance contracts to help keep your commercial refrigerator in the best possible shape.

Our contracts can be tailored to your specific needs, and can greatly reduce the risk of problems, like freezing, from occuring and ensure optimal performance.

Working with some of the most skilled engineers, you can be confident that your refrigerator, and ultimately, your business, is in the best hands and we aim to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

To learn more about our planned and reactive maintenance services, give us a call today on 0121 544 0555 or email us at admin@jamrefrigeration.co.uk and we’ll get back to you shortly!

Everything you need to know about refrigerator and air conditioning servicing in winter

Refrigerator and air conditioning maintenance is important year-round, but especially in the wintertime. Find out why in this article.

Winter Maintenance J&M Refrigeration

Winter is here.

Whether you love or loathe the colder months, there’s no denying (or escaping) it.

With the season in full swing, there are some crucial tasks you need to check off your to-do list, with refrigerator and air conditioning servicing being just two of them.

But why are they so important?

They may sound like summer-exclusive chores, but you should trust the experts when they say they’re important year-round.

Find out why in this article.

 

Why is regular refrigerator maintenance so important?

Many businesses – from butchers and bakers to large chain supermarkets, nightclubs, and restaurants – all rely on commercial refrigeration systems.

Not only do they help ensure that your stock is kept at optimal temperatures, but they also help keep business up and running and ensure that your goods are safe for your customers to consume.

Without them, things would go wrong quickly.

Sales would come to a halt, your stock would go to waste, and your energy bills would skyrocket.

Also, as your AC will be blasting hot air during the winter months to keep your retail space at a comfortable temperature for your staff and patrons, your refrigerators will need to work a little harder to keep the contents nice and cool. So, making sure your commercial refrigeration unit is in tip-top condition and equipped to deal with these warmer internal temperatures is essential, and key to avoiding costly breakdowns or any of the disasters mentioned above.

 

Why is regular air conditioning maintenance so important?

Many people think that air conditioning maintenance isn’t essential in winter, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Although, yes, you may not be using your air conditioning unit as much as you do in the summer, this doesn’t mean you should neglect it until then, and it’s non-negotiable if you want to avoid costly energy bills, repairs, and irreversible damage when summer arrives.

For example, the extreme cold temperatures, that we’re no stranger to here in the UK, can cause the pipes in your AC unit to freeze up. And if this isn’t carefully inspected, it could cause them to break and split – rendering the system useless.

 

How to maximise the lifespan of your industrial refrigerator and air conditioning units

On average, commercial refrigerators last about 10-15 years, but they’ve been known to reach 20 years if taken care of properly.

Commercial air conditioning units, on the other hand, are expected to last a little longer, with most units lasting between 15-20 years.

Regular maintenance is the best way to maximise both your units’ lifespans.

Even if you aren’t experiencing any problems with your commercial refrigeration or air conditioning system, cleaning and professional servicing (both vital parts of maintenance) are still non-negotiable.

You should clean your refrigerator superficially once every day, give it a deep clean once every four weeks, and have it serviced by a licenced professional every three to six months, to make sure everything is still running as it should be.

How often you clean your air conditioning unit depends on how much you use it, but as a general rule, it should be cleaned around every 3-4 months, and professionally serviced once annually.

How J&M Refrigeration can help

Here at J&M Refrigeration, we’re experts in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Our team is fully qualified and has years of experience in maintaining and servicing commercial air conditioning and refrigeration units. No matter if it’s time for your next service, or if you need one of our 24/7 maintenance contractors to tend to a breakdown, we’re here and more than happy to help.

How does commercial air conditioning differ from residential air conditioning?

Commercial and residential air conditioning units are both built to serve very different purposes. Discover how they differ in this article!

commercial air conditioning

How does commercial air conditioning differ from residential air conditioning?

From office buildings and shopping centres to universities and leisure facilities, air conditioning units have been a staple in all sorts of commercial settings for many years.

But homeowners are only just starting to look into the benefits of investing in one for their properties.

In the height of summer, they help keep our homes cool and comfortable, and for some of us, they’ll become just as important as our boilers in the winter.

With so many different AC units on the market – including both commercial and residential varieties – it can be difficult to know which is best for your space, as they’re all designed with specific purposes in mind.

Here, our experts walk you through the differences between residential and commercial air conditioning to help you decide which is best for you.

 

So, what are the differences between commercial and residential air conditioning systems?

There are a few key differences between commercial and residential air conditioning units, including:

Size

Commercial air conditioning units are much bigger than those used in residential settings, as they need to cool a much larger space.

Whilst a residential AC unit needs to cool a larger quantity of smaller rooms – usually around 5-10 – a commercial unit will only need to cool 1-2, but they’re much bigger.

Think of a supermarket shop floor, for example. This counts as one room and often is bigger than multiple rooms in your home put together.

To cool such a large area, commercial units also have much bigger fans, evaporators, compressors, and blowers than residential units.

Cost

Being much bigger and more advanced, it probably comes as no surprise that commercial air conditioning units are much more expensive than their residential counterparts.

A commercial HVAC system will also bump up your energy bills, due to the amount of power that’s needed to keep larger spaces cool.

Whereas it’s possible to install your own air conditioning system at home, commercial air conditioning systems should only be installed by an expert. But this can sometimes be pricey.

Not only are you paying for the engineer’s skill and expertise, but you’re also paying to ensure you have a fully functioning, energy-efficient system, too.

Cooling methods

Residential and commercial air conditioners use entirely different cooling methods.

Residential units are typically located in the middle of a  property and connected to ducts that run throughout the building and connect to vents in several different rooms.

Commercial units, however, are often installed outdoors on the roof, as they’re too big to be located anywhere indoors. But this means that cooling methods differ massively.

Rooftop air conditioning systems usually combine both cooling and heating systems to easily control the temperature and humidity of the premises throughout the year.

Commercial systems connect heating, ventilation, and cooling systems on all floors of the building, which control not only the temperature but the humidity within the building, too.

 

Can I use a commercial HVAC system in a residential property?

As we mentioned earlier, both commercial and residential HVAC units are built to serve entirely different purposes, so using commercial AC in residential buildings (and vice versa) isn’t ideal.

Here at J&M Refrigeration, we’re experts in commercial air conditioning, and our team would be more than happy to help you choose the perfect commercial HVAC unit for your premises.

 

Get in touch!

For more information about the AC units we supply, or for our specialist recommendations, give us a call today on 0121 544 0555 or email us at admin@jamrefrigeration.co.uk and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Can I use a commercial refrigeration at home?

From enhancing inventory organisation and driving sales, to ensuring products are safe for customers to consume, commercial refrigeration has many advantages for businesses operating in the hospitality sector.

We often get asked about the differences between commercial and domestic refrigeration, and although they may be subtle, they’re definitely there.

Here, our experts walk you through the pros and cons of commercial refrigeration and why it may or may not be the best choice for your home kitchen.

 

What are the differences between commercial and domestic refrigeration?

  • Size – commercial and domestic refrigeration units differ in size and capacity.
  • Refrigerators designed for home kitchens are much smaller than those that are intended for use in commercial kitchens, as more storage space is needed to accommodate stock.
  • Materials – commercial refrigeration units are made from much higher-grade materials – like stainless steel – for increased strength and durability. Whereas domestic fridges are made from plastic components, which aren’t as strong or long-lasting.
  • Features – with adjustable shelves, sturdy baskets and out-of-hours locks, commercial fridges boast some amazing features. Though home fridges may feature some of these things, like shelves and baskets, they’re not always as durable as the ones found in commercial units.

Pros of commercial refrigeration

There are plenty of ways you can benefit from investing in a commercial fridge for your kitchen at home, including:

  • You’ll have endless storage space

If you have the space for a commercial refrigeration unit in your home kitchen, then you’re sure to benefit from the additional space.

Having more shelves and drawers means you have much more room for all of your food and drink, which is ideal if you have a large family to feed.

If you’re planning on investing in a commercial fridge for your kitchen at home, we suggest measuring your space first to make sure that it’ll definitely fit and doesn’t take up all the room in your kitchen.

  • Aesthetics

If you’ve taken a more minimalistic approach to the décor in your kitchen, the stainless steel exterior of a commercial refrigerator is sure to complement it perfectly. And, being made from such high-quality materials, commercial refrigerators can withstand much more wear and tear, and will last much longer than their domestic counterparts which are made mostly of plastic.

  • There are more features

With a commercial fridge comes many more state-of-the-art features, which admittedly, aren’t necessarily needed in a domestic kitchen. But if you’re a passionate home chef, you’ll thank yourself for making the investment.

 

Cons of commercial refrigeration

Like most things, investing in commercial refrigeration for your home comes with potential drawbacks, and just some of them include:

  • They’re harder to install

Commercial fridge installation is much more complicated than fitting a domestic fridge, and you’ll need to consult a professional to help you.

  • They require more complex maintenance

Whereas fridges intended for home use only require simple cleaning and checks every now and then, commercial fridges require much more frequent maintenance, including coil and gasket cleaning and thermostat monitoring, checking refrigerant levels and more.

  • They take up lots of space

Having more storage space may be beneficial for some – but not everyone.

If you’re lucky enough to have a large kitchen, space won’t be an issue. However, if your square footage is limited, the size of a commercial fridge just isn’t practical.

 

Need help choosing the perfect commercial refrigerator?

Whether you’re considering commercial refrigeration for your kitchen at home, or you’re looking for recommendations for your restaurant kitchen, our experts are here to help.

At J&M Refrigeration, we have decades of experience in the industry, and are best placed to offer advice and recommendations.

Give us a call today on 0121 544 0555 or send us a message via our online contact form and we’ll be in touch with more information!

Pros and cons of remote refrigeration systems

Considering investing in a remote refrigeration system for your business? Here’s everything we think you should know before you do.

Pros and cons of remote refrigeration systems

 

Remote refrigeration systems are most often seen in larger establishments – like supermarkets and busy restaurant kitchens, or anywhere else where it isn’t suitable to keep condensers and ventilators due to heat and humidity.

Instead of the condensing unit being built into the commercial fridge, it is usually located elsewhere – usually outside of the building or in a separate room – to control the temperature of your refrigerator.

Like everything, remote refrigeration systems have many benefits, but they aren’t without their drawbacks.

In this post, our commercial refrigeration experts reveal the pros and cons of remote refrigeration, and how it could help your business.

 

Pro: They cost less to run

Remote refrigeration systems can be much more energy efficient, especially if they’re installed in a cool, outdoor environment.

They can also help reduce your energy bills by reducing the amount of heat your fridge produces that your air conditioner needs to deal with.

 

Con: They cost more to install

Remote refrigerators need to be installed by a professional.

They’ll need to run lines from your commercial kitchen to wherever you want to install the system, which can be a tedious and time-consuming process.

Of course, you’ll pay different prices depending on who you work with, as well as the brand/manufacturer of the unit, but generally, jobs such as these don’t come cheap, so it’s important to make sure you have the room in your budget.

 

Pro: They eliminate noise

Compressors and condensers work hard to maintain the temperature of your commercial refrigerator, and with all this hard work comes lots of buzzing and whirring sounds.

This can become pretty bothersome, especially if you work in a supermarket and have rows upon rows of fridges making a racket. But with a remote refrigeration system, you’ll no longer have to deal with this, as the compressor and condenser will control the temperature of your unit from elsewhere.

You’ll notice a considerable difference in noise levels and be able to work peacefully until it’s time to clock out.

Con: They’re more difficult to maintain

Remote refrigeration systems are much larger than the compressors and condensers found in typical commercial refrigeration units.

Because of this, they can be much more difficult to service, maintain and repair –  and you guessed it – as it’s more complicated, it’ll cost you more if things go south.

With cooling equipment located elsewhere, it can also be difficult to tell when things go wrong, and it may take a while for you to discover a breakdown.

This is an easily avoidable issue, though, and you can invest in a remote refrigeration monitoring system – which will alert you (in real-time) when sudden temperature changes occur so that you can investigate and rectify the issue as soon as possible.

Pro: They help save space inside your refrigerator

Compressors. Condensers. Fans.

They all take up a fair bit of space within your commercial fridge.

But since most of the cooling machinery is located outside of your commercial refrigerator, you’ll have much more space to keep and organise your stock – which could, in turn, allow you to serve more customers and increase your sales.

 

Need more info?

Not sure if a remote refrigeration system is right for your business? Want to find out more about the benefits before you take the leap?

We’re here for you.

Our team has over 30 years of experience in the commercial refrigeration industry and would be more than happy to share their expertise.

Give us a call today on 0121 544 0555 or email us at admin@jamrefrigeration.co.uk and we’ll get back to you with more information shortly!

Why your fridge is freezing and how to fix it

Commercial refrigerators are one of, if not the most important pieces of kit for many businesses.

From butchers and bakers to pubs, clubs and cafes – many businesses rely on commercial refrigeration day to day to keep their establishments up and running and their customers satisfied.

So, when there’s a fault, you can only imagine the amount of bother it causes.

Freezing is an all-too-common issue with commercial refrigeration units, and it can happen for many different reasons.

In this article, our experts at J&M Refrigeration explore the top reasons why your fridge is freezing, and how you can go about fixing it.

Read more

Are commercial refrigerators energy efficient?

Want to reduce your business’s carbon footprint?

Looking for ways you can save a few pennies on your energy bill?

From watching your water consumption and switching off unused appliances to investing in energy-efficient equipment – there are many surefire ways to reduce energy consumption in your commercial kitchen.

But what about essential appliances like commercial refrigerators – one of, if not the most vital pieces of equipment in any kitchen, are they energy efficient?

In this post, our commercial refrigeration experts here at J&M Refrigeration reveal the answers to all of your questions.

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How to clean your commercial refrigerator

A commercial refrigerator is one of the most vital pieces of equipment for businesses – big and small – that handle food, beverages, and even medical supplies.

From small bakeries and butcher’s shops to large chain supermarkets and pharmaceutical companies, commercial refrigerators do more than keep your stock at optimum temperature.

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