Walk-In Cooler Not Holding Temperature? Check These 5 Things First

For restaurants and food service businesses throughout Granbury and North Texas, a walk-in cooler that cannot hold temperature is a food safety emergency and a serious financial risk. Before calling a technician, check these 5 things first.

1. Check the Door Gaskets

Close the door on a piece of paper. If you can pull the paper out without resistance, your gasket is not sealing properly. Damaged gaskets allow warm air to continuously infiltrate the cooler, forcing the refrigeration system to work overtime. Gasket replacement is a relatively inexpensive repair that makes a dramatic difference.

2. Check the Door Closer and Hinges

Check that your door closer is functioning and pulling the door fully shut. Inspect hinges for wear or misalignment. In busy kitchens, walk-in door hardware takes a beating and should be inspected regularly.

3. Check the Condenser Coils

Look at your condensing unit. Are the coils caked with grease or debris? A dirty condenser cannot efficiently release heat. In restaurant environments, grease-laden air causes condenser coils to foul quickly. Condenser coil cleaning should happen every 3-6 months.

4. Check the Evaporator Fan

Inside your walk-in cooler, the evaporator fan circulates cold air throughout the space. Open the cooler and listen — you should hear the fan running. If it is not running or running loudly, that indicates a problem that requires a technician.

5. Check for Ice Buildup on the Evaporator

Excessive ice buildup on the evaporator coil signals that the defrost system is not working properly. When the evaporator becomes encased in ice, airflow is blocked and the system loses its ability to cool. If you see heavy frost on the coil, a defrost system failure is likely and requires a qualified commercial refrigeration technician.