Commentary

Summer maintenance practices for food trucks

The warm weather brings out the customers, but the kitchen needs to have adequate ventilation for worker comfort and the proper functioning of food preparation equipment.

Photo courtesy of iStock.

June 8, 2017 by Sean McCallion — Assistant Director of Operations, Joe Warren & Sons Inc.

Peak business season is never a good time for equipment malfunction. Broken equipment will lead to loss of product and revenue. So here are some things to keep an eye out during the busy summer months.

A dirty condenser coil causes a compressor to work harder.

A dirty condenser coil shown at right is one of the biggest problems when it comes to any refrigerator, freezer or ice machine equipment. The result is your compressor works harder and longer than it's designed to, using more energy and shortening the projected life span of your investment.

Cleaning the coil with a plastic brush and vacuum will keep your unit running as designed.

Exhaust fans provide proper ventilation.

Exhaust fans are another vital component to your operation. In the summer especially, the kitchen can be a very warm and uncomfortable place to be. Exhaust fans ease this burden and provide proper ventilation in the kitchen. They also remove the smoke caused by cooking, boiling, frying or baking.

Exhaust fans can remove these greasy pollutants and ensure things are working smoothly. Checking the drive belts on these units every few months is a good practice that can go a long way to ensure proper operation of these units.

Whether you're utilizing fryers, convection ovens, flat tops or pizza ovens, keeping these units clean and serviced once a year is a prudent method to ensuring proper and safe operation.

Keeping cooking surfaces clean ensures proper and safe operation.

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have the right amount of gas supplying these units. Having the incorrect size tanks or supply will have an adverse effect on your equipment. The equipment may not run as designed, which can cause unexpected equipment repair expenses.

If your equipment does require service, always remember to call your local service agent and ensure that a licensed technician inspect and service your gas equipment. These, among other best practices, will help to ensure your equipment is fully functional, safe and producing at the optimal levels.