Federal Display Case Cleaning
Perfect for commercial cafeterias, grocery stores, convenience stores and more, Federal Industries display cases not only make your food products look good but they also help keep them fresh. To make sure they stay sanitary and working properly, our guide on how to clean your Federal display cases outlines daily and weekly maintenance procedures clearly and concisely.
These instructions are for models IMSS60, IMSS84, IMSS120, EIMSS60 and EIMSS84. This guide also covers CRR, CRB and CD units, such as the CRR3628, CRB3628 and CD3628.
Supplies
- Warm Water
- Mild Detergent
- Ammonia-Based Cleaner (optional, for cleaning the exterior)
- Window Cleaner
- Kerosene (for removing oil and grease)
- Spray Wax Polish (for filling in small scratches)
- Lubricant (for doors)
- Filter Coat Adhesive (for models with air filters)
- Cleaning Cloths
- Soft Cleaning Brush
- Vacuum (for cleaning condenser coils)
Don’t use cleaners that are solvent-based or any solvent since these can damage the unit. Also, be sure to not rinse or submerge the fan motors as this can cause corrosion or short-circuiting.
Pre-Cleaning Procedure
- Step 1. Power down the unit - Use the power and light switches to turn off the unit.
- Step 2. Unplug the case - Disconnect the unit from power by unplugging the power cord from the electrical outlet.
- Step 3. Unload the machine - Remove food product inside the case and either relocate it to another unit or discard it.
- Step 4. Allow the unit to warm up - Minimize condensation and cracking issues by letting the unit warm up for about 30 minutes before beginning the cleaning procedure.
IMSS60, IMSS84, IMSS120, EIMSS60 & EIMSS84 Display Cases
Daily Cleaning
- Step 1. Wipe the interior - Clean the inside surfaces with warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse with a damp cloth and then dry thoroughly.
- Step 2. Clean the exterior - Use warm, soapy water or an ammonia-based cleaner to wipe down the exterior surfaces, then rinse and dry completely.
- Step 3. Maintain the acrylic air deflector - Start by dusting the acrylic air deflector with a damp cloth, then washing it with mild detergent and lukewarm water. Make sure to rinse the cloth frequently during cleaning to remove grit. Follow up by rinsing with clear water, then blotting the surface with a dry cloth.
Weekly Maintenance
- Step 1. Remove the shelving - Follow the “Shelving Installation and Removal” instructions in your operator’s manual to take out the shelves.
- Step 2. Clean the shelves - Use warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth to wipe down the shelves, then rinse and dry completely.
- Step 3. Take out the tower side panels - Remove each tower side panel by first lifting each latch lever and then pulling the side panel out and away from the tower.
- Step 4. Pull out the tower inner panels - Lift the panels up until the retaining pins clear the key slots hole, then pull the panels out of the tower.
- Step 5. Clean the tower panels - Maintain the tower side and inner panels by first cleaning them with warm water, mild detergent and a soft cloth before rinsing with a damp cloth and then drying thoroughly.
- Step 6. Detach the display decks - Lift the display decks up and out of the evaporator tub.
- Step 7. Remove the fan shroud assembly - Take out the fan shroud assembly by unscrewing the four retaining screws from the outer flange and then the two screws from the inner flange. Lift the assembly to unplug the evaporator fan motor cord(s), then lift the fan shroud assembly out of the tub.
- Step 8. Clean the display deck(s) - Use warm, soapy water and a soft cleaning brush to scrub the display deck(s). Remember to then rinse with a damp cloth and then dry with a soft cloth.
- Step 9. Wipe the fan shroud assembly - Clean the fan shroud assembly by wiping it with a damp cloth, then drying thoroughly.
- Step 10. Complete daily cleaning tasks - Follow the daily maintenance procedures as previously explained.
- Step 11. Reassemble the unit - Reinstall the tower panels, display decks and other detached parts.
Bi-Weekly Cleaning (Condenser)
- Step 1. Make sure power is disconnected - Ensure that the unit is turned off and unplugged before continuing.
- Step 2. Remove the side panels - Take off the side panels to gain access to the condenser. See your user’s manual for instructions if necessary.
- Step 3. Vacuum the condenser coil - Use a vacuum to dust the condenser coil, being careful to not bend the fins.
- Step 4. Maintain the air filter (for models with air filters) - Take out the air filter and wash it with warm, soapy water before drying. Apply a generous amount of filter coat adhesive to both sides before reinstalling it.
- Step 5. Reinstall the side panels - Return the side panels to the case.
CRR, CRB, CD Display Cases
Daily Cleaning
- Step 1. Clean out the door opening - Clean out any foreign material and debris from the inner and outer rear door tracks with a cleaning brush and warm, soapy water. If needed, apply a light lubricant to help the doors move more easily.
- Step 2. Wipe down the interior surfaces - Use a damp cloth to clean the interior surfaces. Remember to dry with a soft cloth afterwards.
- Step 3. Maintain the doors - Apply glass cleaner to the inside and outside surfaces of the doors, paying special attention to the front glass. Take care so as not to get any window cleaner on the acrylic plastic end panels or top panels.
- Step 4. Clean the acrylic end and top panels - Start by lightly dusting–not wiping–the acrylic end and top panels with a soft cloth, then wipe them down with a damp cloth. Rinse the cloth frequently to remove grit.
- Step 5. Degrease the acrylic end and top panels (if needed) - Dab a bit of kerosene onto a cloth, then gently wipe areas with grease or oil deposits. Rinse the area with clean water to remove any kerosene residues, then dry completely.
- Step 6. Mask scratches on the panels (if needed) - Fill small scratches on the panels by cleaning the area, applying spray wax polish and then buffing the area lightly.
Weekly Cleaning
- Step 1. Remove the doors - Follow the “Door Removal” steps in your user’s manual to take off the doors.
- Step 2. Take out the shelving - See the “Shelving Installation and Removal” instructions in your operator’s manual to remove the shelving.
- Step 3. Lift out the display pan - Remove the display pan from the evaporator tub by pulling it through the rear opening.
- Step 4. Remove the evaporator fan shroud - Take out the evaporator fan shroud by unscrewing the thumbscrews on the back of the evaporator fan and on each end of the evaporator coil.
- Step 5. Clean the case interior - Wash the inside surfaces with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth before rinsing and drying completely.
- Step 6. Maintain the shelving and display components - Use warm, soapy water and a cleaning brush to clean the shelves, shelf support bars, shelf brackets, display pans and shelf lights. Remember to rinse and then dry thoroughly afterwards.
- Step 7. Complete daily cleaning procedure - Follow the daily cleaning procedures as outlined above.
- Step 8. Assemble the case - Reinstall the doors, shelving and other detached parts.
Monthly Maintenance (Condenser)
- Step 1. Ensure power is disconnected - Make sure the unit is turned off and unplugged before continuing.
- Step 2. Remove the condenser covers - Take off the condenser covers. Refer to instructions in the user’s manual if needed.
- Step 3. Clean the condenser coil - Vacuum the front surface of the condenser coil, taking care so as not to bend the fins.
- Step 4. Reinstall the condenser covers - Return the condenser covers to the unit.
Resuming Normal Operation
- Step 1. Connect the case to power - Restore power by plugging the power cord into the electrical outlet.
- Step 2. Power on the machine - Turn on the power and light switches.
- Step 3. Allow the unit to cool down - Let the machine cool down for about 30 minutes before loading.
- Step 4. Load product into the machine - Place food product into the case.
- Step 5. Resume normal operation - You may now use the unit normally.
For more cleaning, removal, installation and troubleshooting tips, check out our collection of Federal Industries manuals and diagrams.