All posts tagged: Preventative Maintenance

Investing in restaurant equipment is a major financial commitment and it is essential that restaurants take steps to ensure that their equipment lasts as long as possible. Through proper maintenance and care, restaurant owners can get the most out of their equipment, avoid the need for costly replacements and repairs, and maximize their return on investment. The following are some tips to maintain and extend the life of any restaurant equipment.

1.    Proper Cleaning

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the integrity of your restaurant equipment. This includes cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and removing and debris that may accumulate on the equipment. A daily cleaning routine can help prevent the buildup of grime, grease, and food particles that can lead to equipment failure and a shorter lifespan.

2.    Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance is essential for every kitchen equipment to function at its best. Regular maintenance ensures that equipment remains in good condition and that any potential issues are addressed before they become serious problems. Schedule routine maintenance checks and make sure to have a professional technician perform any necessary repairs or maintenance.

3.    Equipment Inspections

Regular equipment inspections are important to detect problems early on. An inspection can help identify any issues before they become more severe and can save restaurant owners money on repairs or replacements. Inspections can also ensure that all equipment is functioning as intended, and that any safety hazards are addressed promptly.

4.    Proper Use and Storage

Proper use and storage can also help extend the lifespan of any restaurant equipment. Avoid overloading any equipment and make sure that it is only used for its intended purpose. Store smaller equipment in a dry and cool place and protect them from moisture or extreme heat.

All in all, regularly maintaining restaurant equipment can prolong its usefulness and save restaurant owners money in the long run. Cleaning, doing regular maintenance, inspections, and using the equipment correctly are all necessary to get the most out of each piece of restaurant equipment. By following these tips, restaurant owners can ensure that their equipment remains in good condition and continues to provide excellent service for years to come.

At DSL Northwest, we provide scheduled and routine maintenance or inspections for restaurants with the goal to prevent their businesses from having downtimes and maximize their business’ success. For inquiries on preventative maintenance, you may contact our team directly at 877-65-1125 or email us at sales@dsl-nw.com.

The core of consistently good restaurant food comes from its equipment in the kitchen. It helps cook, store, and keep the restaurant going. However, after years of use, it can also breakdown or malfunction. When this happens, it can cause a lot of problems for the restaurant. This article will discuss some of the most common causes of restaurant equipment failure and a few tips on how to prevent these failures from ever happening in your kitchen.

Reasons For Equipment Failure

There are several things that can cause any commercial kitchen equipment to fail. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Improper installation

If the restaurant equipment is not installed properly, it can easily malfunction and possibly cause equipment failure. Improper installation can also lead to safety hazards in the kitchen. However, this can be easily avoided by hiring a professional to properly install your restaurant equipment.

When installing any commercial kitchen equipment, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you are not too familiar with how to install the equipment, it’s best to consult an expert to do the job for you.

2. Overuse

Restaurant equipment is designed to handle a predetermined amount of volume. Equipment is considered overused when it is working harder and longer than it was engineered to perform. Overusing equipment without regular preventative maintenance and replacing “wear” parts care can easily add to the equipment’s cost of ownership.

To prevent this from happening, make sure and consult with an equipment specialist who can match the right piece of equipment with your anticipated volume. 

3. Poor maintenance

When kitchen equipment is not regularly and properly serviced it will be much more susceptible to unnecessary wear and tear. Issues such as carbon build up, grease migration, excess motor or compressor run times are common when a regular service program isn’t scheduled.

There are a few ways to avoid this:

1. Have a regular cleaning schedule of all equipment, including the backside of the cookline.
2. Regularly replace wear items such as gaskets, o-rings, blades, belts and filters.
3. Schedule a regular Preventative maintenance program on all key equipment by a trained service professional to identify any potential issues before they become a problem. A comprehensive PM program can drastically reduce the likelihood of “down equipment” in your kitchen.

4. Years of Use

Every piece of restaurant equipment will eventually wear out. As the equipment ages it becomes more susceptible to damage and failure.

The best way to maintain the quality of your equipment is to regularly have it inspected by a qualified technician. Similar to your car, regular scheduled service will extend the life of your equipment and allow you to budget for upcoming expenses of equipment repair.

5. Environmental Factors

Extreme temperatures, humidity, poor ventilation, and grease migration can also cause rapid deterioration of any restaurant equipment.

Maintaining not just your equipment but the supporting systems such air conditioning, exhaust hood ventilation and returns and drain systems can be impactful as well.

6. Electrical Problems

Electrical issues can impact equipment by over supplying or under supplying the necessary voltage and amperage to your equipment. Too little power can cause motors to work harder than designed and too much power can short controls, switches and motors. Having an electrician identify the actual voltage in your kitchen will provide you with a better understanding of what you can do to ensure the longevity of your equipment.

7. Improper Use

Plan for regular training with staff on the proper use, cleaning and maintenance of your equipment. With today’s current turnover in kitchen staff this can often be overlooked but proper training can prevent unnecessary expenses for repairs.

Keep all manuals and procedures in the same are or near the equipment for easy reference.

Conclusion

These are the most common causes of restaurant equipment failure. Always remember that when in doubt, call an expert to help you with your kitchen woes.

At DSL Northwest, we are always ready to solve your restaurant equipment problems. We are a full-service company that provides repair, installation., and maintenance services for restaurants in the Northwest. Our technicians have years of experience and are qualified to handle any problem that you may encounter with your restaurant equipment. For inquiries and concerns, let us know through an email at sales@dsl-nw.com or call us at 877-665-1125.