What is Preventative Maintenance

Preventative Maintenance or Preventive Maintenance has the following meaning: The are and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment in satisfactory operation condition by providing for systematic inspection, detection and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or before they develop into major issues. The purpose of a successful preventative maintenance program is to finally extend the life of equipment and tools by predicting failures. The implementation of the process guarantees the plant’s reliable and efficient performance by ensuring that equipment do not break down when you need it most. Machinery wears over time but it is essential to understand that preventive replacement prior to failure is far more cost efficient than waiting for the potential consequences of a failure in service.

Jack Frost Company in Meridian, Idaho recommends a regularly scheduled Preventative Maintenance Program. Our customers that are on our maintenance program are entitled to discounted hourly service rates.Here are a list of service service and preventative maintenance tips to help your restaurant succeed in it’s business venture. Your heating, cooling, cooking and food preparation equipment is a huge investment that should be kept in good, clean, operational order.

Commercial Ovens:

Wipe out spills from your oven cavity daily- this will cut down on rust and corrosion in the oven cavity, while also reducing the possibility of fire hazards.

Walk-In Coolers and Freezers:

Keep the doors closed when not in use- if doors are left open for any extended amount of time, ice can quickly build-up on the evaporator coils and cause cooling problems. Keeping doors closed will help cut down on any unnecessary service calls. If doors must remain open, consider adding an Air Curtain or Air Door to the doorways. Ask one of our sales representatives about energy-saving Air Curtains and Air Doors.

Steam Tables/Warmer Wells:

Some units require the heating element be immersed in water at all times. It is important that the water level in the well never drops to a level where the immersible element is exposed, as this can cause premature failure.Keep the heating elements clean and free of any mineral build-up as this can also decrease the life of your equipment.

Air Conditioning/Heating System:

Have your Air Conditioner Filters changed or cleaned monthly. This will help save immensely on your electricity bill, as air conditioning can be a considerable percentage of your electric bill (20-30%). Be sure to get your Air Conditioning/Heating system checked by a qualified professional at least twice yearly, to be sure both the Heat and Cool cycles are operating safely and efficiently.

Condenser Coils:

Keep condenser coils clean on all refrigeration equipment, such as: ice-making equipment, refrigerators, freezers, salad coolers, air conditioning units, etc…Keeping condenser coils clean and free from dust and grease will help prevent breakdowns and costly repair bills, and will also save on electricity. Dust can usually be brushed of the coils or blown off with compressed air. Grease build-up sometimes requires a service company to clean it thoroughly with a coil cleaning solution.

Ice Machines:

Ice machines are one of the most important pieces of equipment in your restaurant/bar. Keeping it clean will make it run better, it will make more ice, and it will cause less wear and tear on component parts, therefore saving money on electricity, as well as excessive repair costs. Let us keep your ice machine in good working order with a high-quality, properly installed water filtration system. Change those water filters every 3-6 months. Both of these suggestions will help extend the life of your ice machine, cut down on costly repairs, and finally, make cleaner, better tasting ice for your customers. Ice-making equipment must be properly sized for your particular establishment’s needs. Here at Jack Frost Company we can analyze the size, seating capacity, and expectations of your business, so that we can suggest the proper size ice machine for your establishment.

Ventilation/Exhaust Hoods:

Keeping clean air filters in your exhaust hoods will keep them working more efficiently, the motors running cooler and with less stress and strain, therefore extending the life of the motors and belts. Have your exhaust hood and fresh air fans checked quarterly for proper operation and belt tension, which allows for peak performance. Failing to do any preventative maintenance on your restaurant equipment or allowing things to go until they break, ends up in more costly repairs and/or replacement. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, affordable company in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell and Mountain Home to set up a Preventative Maintenance Program. Give Jack Frost Company a call 208-433-8500