Prolonging the life of a cabinet

Prolonging the life of your Williams fridge or freezer cabinets and counters begins the moment it arrives on site.

On Arrival

Prolonging the life of your Williams fridge or freezer begins the moment it arrives on site. 

Williams cabinets and counters are designed to fit through a standard doorway but if any unit has been tipped or laid on its back during transport, it is important to ensure it is left to stand for at least one hour before switching it on. 

Ventilation

Choosing where to place your cabinet or counter is essential and can result in dramatic energy savings, and considerably less wear and tear on the refrigeration system.

Refrigeration equipment can generate considerable amounts of heat, and if operated in a small unventilated room, especially in warm weather, can cause the room temperature to become excessive. Adequate ventilation is required to avoid not only an unpleasant working environment but also will eliminate the need for the condensing unit to run longer and harder to maintain cabinet temperature, avoiding a detrimental effect on components and increased energy consumption.

In addition to ventilation in the room, ensure that cabinets with top-mounted systems have 500mm clearance between the top of the cabinet and the ceiling. This will allow engineer access for service and maintenance as well as discharge of waste heat. For all cabinets, please ensure a minimum clearance of 50mm is also provided around the unit to ensure efficient and effective performance.

Do not block vents by stacking boxes on top or in front of the unit as this could affect performance.

Levelling

The cabinet should stand level to ensure correct operation of self-closing doors and proper drainage of condensate from the evaporator.

Day to Day Use

Loading a Cabinet

Firstly before loading, allow the unit to reach its normal operating temperature. When
this has been achieved, ensure the load is equally distributed throughout and ensure air can circulate around and through stored products.

Products being stored in the equipment should be ideally refrigerated, i.e. a back of house coldroom or refrigerated delivery, outside of this only ambient product should be placed in the fridge.

At no time should hot / warm product be placed inside the unit as this could cause icing of the evaporator which in turn will allow the internal cabinet temperature to rise, making the condenser unit work longer and harder.

The thermometer should be checked daily to ensure that correct temperature is being maintained.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Gaskets

Gaskets are designed to seal the cool air in and to keep the warm air out which is vital to the efficiency of your unit, therefore the door gaskets should be checked and cleaned regularly and replaced if damaged. To clean the gasket, wipe with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, ensuring it is completely dry before closing the door.

Do not use a sharp knife to clean or scrape the gasket.

Locking

On models with this facility, it is recommended that the key be removed from the lock during normal working use. This will prevent bending or breaking of the key which could result in the lock having to be replaced. Removing the key will also prevent any possibility of accidental locking when the door is open. This will prevent the door from closing properly and will cause the interior temperature to rise.

Cleaning – Interior and Exterior

If the cabinet exterior is looked after correctly it will retain an “as new” finish for many years. Normal day to day cleaning should be carried out with a soft cloth and soapy water. Safely disconnect the appliance before cleaning, servicing or undertaking general maintenance. For a stainless steel finish, always wipe the cabinet in the same direction as the grain. Whilst stainless steel is robust, the satin smooth finish can be spoilt by wiping against the grain. Never use abrasive or corrosive materials or cleaners, nor chlorine based chemical cleaners. These can damage the surface and cause corrosion.

Occasionally, the exterior surface should be polished with a good stainless steel polish to protect it.

Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning the appliance.  Care should be taken for parts with possible sharp edges.

The interior should be cleaned regularly with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Dry thoroughly afterwards and where possible remove all racking and shelving to aid the process.

Cleaning – Condenser

Dusty condenser coils cause a cabinet or counter to work harder and will therefore struggle to maintain temperature; meaning increased energy bills and a shorter shelf life.

To prevent this from happening, the condenser, which is part of the refrigeration unit and is located in the unit compartment, requires cleaning approximately 4 times per year or when the controller indicates the need to do so.

Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning the appliance.  Care should be taken for parts with possible sharp edges.

To clean, disconnect from the mains supply before starting. Brush fins vertically with a soft brush, taking care not to damage them or to push dirt / dust further in and vacuum away. Take care not to damage any electrical connections and cables during the removal and cleaning process. Replace unit cover and safely plug cabinet in after completing cleaning process.

If there are further grease deposits still remaining on the condenser call your Service Provider to carry out a full service.

Evaporator / Drain hole

Most units rely on a drain hole and drip pan to remove condensation, so it’s important that these function properly. Inspect this periodically to ensure there is no blockage.