Glastender Cooler Cleaning
Like any piece of equipment or machinery, your Glastender cooler requires daily, monthly, and quarterly cleaning of the exterior, interior, and even the condenser coil and filter. There’s a lot more to Glastender cooler cleaning than a wet sponge and some soap. Actually, there is a wrong way to go about it, and that’s where this guide will help you avoid accidentally destroying your machine in the name of preventative maintenance. So let’s get to it!
Supplies You’ll Need
- Non-chlorine-based cleaner or mild detergent
- Warm water
- Soft cloth or sponge
- Vacuum
Cleaning the Interior & Exterior
The exterior along with the door gaskets will need to be cleaned daily to preserve the shiny stainless steel finish. This is especially important if the cooler is next to a food prep station or in a high-trafficked area that makes it come in contact with more dirt. On the other hand, you should clean the interior of your Glastender cooler at least once every three months.
Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes per day (exterior), 45 minutes per quarter (interior)
Step 1. Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need a soft cloth, sponge, a bucket of warm water, and a bucket of warm water mixed with a mild detergent. Just make sure this is a non-chlorine-based detergent, as this will damage the stainless steel.
Note: Never use hydrochloric acid, wire brushes, steel wool scrapers, or chlorine-based cleaners on stainless steel surfaces – they will damage the metal and cause corrosion.
Step 2. Wipe Down the Exterior & Interior
Using your sponge and mild cleaning solution, wipe down the exterior, paying special attention to the door gaskets. If there are more stubborn food or water deposits, you may use a soft bristle brush or Scotch-Brite pad, but be sure to only scrub in the direction of the grain.
Step 3. Rinse Off Mild Detergent
Immediately rinse off the exterior with a fresh sponge or cloth until all cleaning agents are removed. Failure to thoroughly remove soap or mild detergent will leave behind an unsightly residue.
Step 4. Dry with a Soft, Clean Cloth
Once you’re sure that all cleaning agents have been rinsed clean away, you can now begin toweling it dry. You’ll want to remove any standing water as soon as possible because hard water deposits can cause rust stains. Again, pay extra attention to thoroughly drying the gaskets. Excess alcohol and moisture buildup can cause the gasket material to break down more quickly, leading to premature repairs.
Note: If you’ve noticed the black vinyl-clad steel surface of your cooler is beginning to look a little dull, you can use Armor All or a similar product to restore it to its former glory. Just dab a bit on a clean cloth, apply, and you should be good to go. However, it’s important to note that you don’t want to spray the product directly onto the cooler since it could leave streaks.
Cleaning the Condenser Filter
Dust build-up on the condenser filter and coil can prevent it from doing its job properly. It can also cause the condenser to overwork, making it use up more energy and, in turn, raise your utility bill. If the dust build-up gets so bad, it can even cause an error code on your machine that stops it from working completely. The good news is that implementing a monthly cleaning plan can prevent downtime and service calls, ultimately saving you money.
Estimated Time: 30-60 minutes, once per month
Step 1. Turn Off the Cooler
The first thing you’ll want to do is either turn off or unplug the cooler. If you have any chilled items, now would be a good time to transfer them to another cooler while this one is getting maintained.
Step 2. Remove the Vented Exterior Covers
To get to the condenser filter and coil, you will have to remove the small vented covers. You must know not to remove the compressor panel (the solid stainless steel cover near the top of the cooler). Removing the compressor panel will disconnect the temperature probe wire and cause the machine to break, which is not covered by the factory warranty.
Step 3. Vacuum the Coil & Filter
Use a skinny crescent attachment to help you get into all the nooks and crannies of the condenser coil and filter. It might not be possible to reach the further recessed areas, but that's okay. Getting as much as you can is better than nothing at all.
Note: Always brush or vacuum in an up and down motion. Vacuuming side to side can damage or bend the coils.
Step 4. Reassemble the Cooler
Once you’re satisfied with your cleaning job, you can reattach the vented panels and turn your unit back on. Wait a few hours for the cooler to reach its target temperature and restock – a process that’s going a lot smoother now that your condenser coil and filter are squeaky clean.