Preventative Maintenance Checklist for Commercial Kitchens

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A stitch in time saves nine.

There’s a reason these old sayings have stuck around for so long. It’s because they’re true—especially in commercial and noncommercial kitchens!

What it all boils down to is if you take care of your equipment, it will take care of you.

A little extra planning and routine attention can help improve reliability and lengthen the lifespan of equipment like refrigeration, ice machines, cooking, heating, hot holding, prep, dish machines, ventilation hoods, and more. The rewards for the effort are less downtime, fewer expensive service issues, and a less frequent need to replace.

Make regular deep cleaning a high priority.

If you don’t already have one, a regular cleaning schedule with assigned responsibilities for both manual and automated processes can help ensure that nothing gets overlooked.

• 
  Surfaces (interior and exterior)
• Deliming/descaling water-fed equipment such as steamers, combi ovens, and dish machines
• Lights
• Gaskets
• Fans
• Filters
• Drains

 

Pay prompt attention to minor issues.

If you catch a problem early, it may be much easier and less costly to repair. 

Keep an eye out for early indicators such as the following:

• Leaks
• Noisier than normal operation
• Thermostats showing colder or warmer than normal
• Doors that are out of alignment
• Visibly damaged, rusted, or corroded parts

 

Replace worn components.

Worn, damaged, or clogged components can cause strain on other components, creating costly issues such as increased energy consumption and shortened equipment life.

• 
  Light bulbs
• Filters
• Gaskets
• Damaged electrical cords
• Visibly worn parts such as dish machine curtains

 

Troubleshooting Checklist

Having trouble with a piece of equipment? Try these quick fixes.

• Are circuit breakers tripped?
• Is unit plugged in properly?
• Is reset button pushed in?
• Is on/off switch in correct position?
• Are condenser coils clean?
• Are moving parts free of obstruction?

 

For a free preventative maintenance guide for refrigeration equipment; heating, hot holding, and preparation equipment; dish machines; ventilation hoods; and ice machines, contact us.