How to Clean a Commercial Refrigerator Condenser Coil
Refrigeration units are the lifeblood of any restaurant, cafeteria or commercial kitchen. If a refrigerator or freezer isn’t operating efficiently, an establishment is basically throwing away money in terms of spoiled products and missed sales. Allowing a large buildup of dust and debris can lower a unit’s efficiency, meaning it uses more power, drives up operating costs and shortens the unit’s lifespan. This can also lead to a compressor failure, which can result in a costly repair.
Cleaning the refrigeration condenser coil is one of the easiest refrigeration maintenance tasks to do. Doing this at least every three months or when significant buildups of dust and grease can help a unit run efficiently and at peak performance. Here are some easy instructions for how to clean a commercial refrigerator condenser coil.
Supplies You’ll Need:
- Stiff brush
- A vacuum
- A screwdriver
- Degreaser (if necessary)
- Fin straightener (only if coils are bent)
Condenser Coil Cleaning Procedures
Learn how to clean a commercial refrigerator condenser coil in a few short steps. From start to finish, you accomplish this task in under 30 minutes.
- Step 1. Remove items from fridge/freezer – Before you get started, remove all the perishable items from the unit. Place them into another unit or cooler to keep them from spoiling.
- Step 2. Shut off power to the unit – Unplug the machine or power it down from the circuit breaker.
- Step 3. Locate the condenser coil and fan – Some models have coils in the front on the bottom or at the top of the unit. Older units may have coils across the back of the unit. Check the owner’s manual for more information.
- Step 4. Remove the cover or grate – Most units have a grate covering the condenser coils. Remove it to access the coils. The grate may snap on and off easily, or it could be held in by screws.
- Step 5. Brush off dust or stuck-on debris – Using a stiff brush, gently clean the coils and fan. Carefully brush so you don’t damage the coils.
- Step 6. Vacuum the coils and surrounding area – Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust on or near the coils. As you did with your brush, make sure to vacuum carefully to avoid damaging the coils.
- Step 7. Clean off grease (if necessary) – Allowing grease to accumulate could damage the coils. Whenever there is a large buildup of stuck-on grease, use an OEM-recommended degreaser to remove it. Consult your owner’s manual for proper degreasing instructions and recommended cleaners.
- Step 8. Straighten any bent fins (if necessary) – If any of the condenser fan fins are bent, use a fin straightener to correct them.
- Step 9. Reattach the grate – Once everything is clean, reattach the grate back onto the unit.
- Step 10. Prepare the unit – Plug the refrigerator/freezer back in, and restock the unit with its items.
When to Clean Refrigerator Condenser Coils
Not all signs and symptoms of a dirty fridge coil are clear and cut. Instead, it may present as a slow buildup of a lot of small indicators. Luckily, checking the condenser coil for dirt is as easy as removing the front or back grille. So when in doubt, double-check.
- Higher energy bills – As dirt and dust accumulate on the coil, the condenser has to work harder to achieve the same cooling results, drawing more energy as it does. You’ll see the effects reflected in your end-of-month bills.
- Refrigerator running continuously – As buildup gets worse, you may notice your refrigerator constantly running as it struggles to keep up with its cooling demands.
- Unusual noises – If the refrigerator is constantly running, it will put excessive wear and tear on the condenser, causing louder than normal operation.
- Poor cooling performance – the condenser coil is responsible for dissipating heat. When the fins become clogged, it reduces its ability to cool effectively and efficiently.
- Spoiled or warm food – You may notice that stored food or drinks aren’t as cold as they’re supposed to be or are spoiling well before their expiration date.
- Visible dirt buildup – Consult your user manual to determine if the condenser coil is located in the front or back of the unit. Remove the grille and inspect the coils. You’ll instantly be able to tell if it’s high time for a cleaning.
How Often Should You Clean Refrigerator Condenser Coils
As a general rule of thumb, you should clean your commercial refrigerator condenser coils once every three months, or 4 times a year, and residential coils every six to months, or twice a year. However, these are general guidelines, and there are some factors that may impact cleaning frequencies.
For example, high dust or pollen, seasonality, humidity, high usage environments and more may cause dust, dirt and grime to build up faster. For that reason, you should inspect the condenser coils on your fridge regularly to prevent any operational hiccups or inefficiencies.
Safety Considerations
Cleaning commercial or residential condenser coils is usually very safe and something you can do yourself as long as you follow proper cleaning procedures and safety protocols:
- Unplug the refrigerator – Never clean or work on internal components without first cutting power to the unit by unplugging and turning off the circuit breaker.
- Careful of sharp edges – The condenser coils can have sharp fins, so be careful when applying degreasers or cleaning agents.
- Wear a mask – Condenser coils that are very dirty can kick up a lot of dust. Wear a protective face covering to avoid inhaling particles and triggering asthma or allergies.
- Never use water – Don’t use water on the condenser coils because this can damage the fins and cause a possible short circuit when power is restored.
- Mind the cleaners – Only use cleaners that are manufacturer-approved or designed for this purpose. Certain chemical cleaners can pose safety risks or damage your equipment.
- Follow the proper cleaning procedures – As long as you follow the procedures as outlined here or by the manufacturer, you should be able to tackle this job safely.
Did you know that taking the time to do simple steps like these can save yourself or your business hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs, parts and service call fees? For more general information on cleaning and maintaining a commercial refrigerator unit, please check out helpful guides.