How to Clean & Maintain a Delfield Refrigeration & Freezer Unit
Delfield offers some of the most convenient and useful refrigeration and freezer units in the industry, including the 6000XL and the DEL-F Series. Each one plays an essential role in any commercial kitchen, so making sure your unit is well-maintained and clean will help keep things running smoothly. To ensure your unit stays in tip-top shape, let’s learn how to clean and maintain a Delfield refrigeration and freezer unit.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Mild soap
- Soft cleaning cloths or plastic scouring pads
- Cleaning solution
- Stainless steel cleaner
Cleaning the Interior
You can clean the inside of your Delfield refrigeration or freezer unit using soap and warm water. Make sure you empty the refrigerator or freezer first before doing so, storing the perishable items in a separate unit. If the soap isn’t cutting it, you can use a mixture of ammonia and water or a non-abrasive liquid cleaner to clean the interior.
Cleaning the Condenser Coil
The condenser coil should be cleaned regularly to ensure the refrigerators and freezers run at peak performance. If it’s not cleaned out regularly, it can overheat and ultimately cause compressor failure. Additionally, neglecting your condenser coil can result in a void warranty, so cleaning and maintaining it can save you from costly repairs while keeping your warranty intact.
To clean the condenser coil, use a vacuum or stiff brush to remove dirt, dust, debris and grease from the condenser fins. If the condenser coil is extremely dirty, you can use an OEM-recommended condenser cleaner. You can also use compressed air but do not use a high-pressure water wash.
How Often Should You Clean a Delfield Condenser Coil?
On average, the condenser coil should be cleaned as frequently as 30 to 90 days, depending on your model and how much it accumulates dirt and debris. Keep an eye on it to determine how often it should be cleaned.
Cleaning Drawers & Tracks
The drawers can be easily taken apart without tools for a thorough cleaning. You can clean the drawer and tracks with soap and water, but the tracks are also dishwasher-safe. Drawers and tracks should be cleaned once a week to ensure easy usage.
Exterior Cleaning
Drain Maintenance
The drain on your Delfield refrigerator and freezers is crucial as it removes condensation from the evaporator coil. It does run the risk of coming loose or being disconnected, so look out for excess water accumulating inside the unit. In this instance, check to see if the drain tube is connected from the evaporator housing to the condensate evaporator drain pan. If you notice that water has collected underneath the refrigerator or freezer, check that the condensate evaporator drain tube is still inside the drain pan.
Other issues that you should be observant of are the level of your refrigeration equipment and possible drain line obstructions.
Cleaning the Stainless Steel Exterior
When cleaning stainless steel, you must not use steel pads, wire brushes, scrapers or an acid-based cleaner. These items will damage the surface and wear down the protective coating on the stainless steel.
To clean the exterior, use soap and water or a stainless steel-specific cleaner with a soft cloth. For extreme grease spots or stains, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner and a plastic scrub pad. And remember to clean along the grain of the stainless steel to keep the finish intact.
Doors, Hinges & Gaskets Maintenance
The door hinges on your Delfield refrigerator or freezer may become loose over time and can begin to sag. If this happens, tighten the screws that mount the hinge bracket to the cabinet frame. If the problem persists, contact an authorized service technician.
Cleaning the Gaskets
When cleaning the interior of your Delfield refrigerator or freezer, it’s also vital to clean the gaskets. If not regularly cleaned, the gaskets can lose their elasticity and form mold and mildew. You can prevent this by cleaning the gaskets with soap and water. Gaskets are easy to remove and replace as they are designed to fit snugly in the door. Never use sharp tools to clean the gasket, as it could tear it.
Need additional maintenance or troubleshooting tips for your Delfield refrigerator or freezer? We have guides and a full library of Delfield manuals and diagrams with all the info and instructions you need.