How Refrigeration Works: The Sequence of Operation
Since the beginning of time people have searched for ways to preserve the shelf life of food. Today we may take for granted that our refrigeration units offer a cold haven for food that would otherwise quickly spoil, but it wasn't to long ago that we were seeking out caves, or drying out food to keep it stored.
Today 98% of US homes own a refrigerator, and 21% own two or more. But many people don't know how these appliances work. (And many of us are not even sure if the light stays on when you close the door.) No matter if it's commercial or residential the basics are the same, and during a recent meeting of our service department one of our helpful technicians showed the staff the sequence of operation for refrigeration.
Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
A MORE ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION UNIT
Ascend Refrigeration ABM-72R-2GL
Ascend, a leading manufacturer in commercial refrigeration and freezer units, have recently introduced their brand new refrigeration, freezer, and dual temp units that are redesigned for maximum efficiency. There are two series they have introduced: the ABM are the bottom-mounted units and the ATM are the top-mounted units.
The bottom-mount series commercial refrigeration units, like the ABM-72R-2GL three-section refrigerator and the ABM-72F three-section freezer, have been redesigned with a 10% increase in cooling capacity than the previous JFD models. They also have a 35% decrease in energy consumption by utilizing hot gas anti-sweat heating system with tapered baffles.
The top-mount series commercial refrigeration units, like the ATM-61R three-section refrigerator and the ATM-61F three-section freezer, have also been redesigned as a combination from the previous JVL and JHD units. These ATM models feature an exclusive slide shelving system, an exterior digital LED display, and computerized temperature controls allows you to adjust temperature and defrost settings. Both the bottom-mount and top-mount refrigeration units have the same cooling capacity and decrease in energy consumption.
All of these units are Energy Star approved. Some models won't be available until April. The new redesigned models are also available in dual temp commercial refrigeration units, like the ATM-61DT and the ATM-20DT, and these will also be Energy Star approved models. We have a wide selection of Ascend Commercial Refrigeration units here at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON YOUR HVAC AND REFRIGERATION UNITS IS A MUST
It was 72 degrees in South Carolina yesterday. The tulips are coming up in my wife’s flowerbed, Bradford pear trees are ready to bloom, and I am calling my customers asking them if they want to spend the best $ 350 they'll spend all year. In these hard times, $ 350 is a lot when it comes to the bottom line but as the old adage goes “Pay me now or pay me later”.
At J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment, we have a full service company that is on call 24/7. We cover the upstate of S.C. repairing and replacing restaurant equipment. Most of our larger customers, like Red Lobster and Outback, have a stringent corporate maintenance plan that must be followed. Our smaller customers allow J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment to provide them with a plan of action to help maintain their equipment.
There are other customers that opt to wait and see if something breaks. One thing we don’t have on our work truck is a magic wand—my guys wish we did. Sometimes, an old unit just simply needs replacing, therefore putting money into a very old, patched unit is throwing good money towards bad.
Find a good service company that will advise you to either repair or replace your unit. I've had customers that ask me to install a $900 compressor into a 15 year old box. The box itself was not even worth $500 and it had another part go out shortly after. Where's that magic wand when you need it? Money spent on one thing does not make the rest of the unit new. Preventive Maintenance for the HVAC units and all Refrigeration units is a must; this is the closest thing we have to a magic wand. These are some of the results you will receive from a PM Service.
1. Cleaning condensers and evaporators allow better air flow, adding in the removal of heat from an area. This keeps the condensing unit from running quite as much and is thus more energy-efficient. A unit that is sitting idle is not wearing itself out. This is common sense that not everyone uses.
2. Air filters for the HVAC units need to be changed, same as above.
In the next few weeks, I will have a simple a preventative maintenance list that you can download and will fit most restaurants for a PM plan. Remember if you can’t repair the unit let J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment replace it.
Thanks for reading,
Eric Smith
Owner
SPECIAL PRICING ON HOSHIZAKI COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION
CR1A-FS Hoshizaki Commercial Series Refrigerator
Hoshizaki is a leading manufacturer in commercial refrigeration and freezer units. Located out of Peachtree City, GA, Hoshizaki has some of the top facilities for refrigeration/freezer manufacturers in the country. Many of these Hoshizaki refrigeration units are Energy Star approved and made in America.
The CR1A-FS refrigerator unit and the CF1A-FS freezer are both full door units that are Energy Star rated and made in America. These models are constructed of a gray energy efficient, vacuum formed, seamless, one piece ABS liner. This air flow system assures an even temperature distribution throughout the cabinet. The doors are constructed of a high grade stainless steel exterior and interior. Both of these models have an evaporator coil that is enamel coated for extended life. They have an energy efficient, automatic hot gas condensate evaporator that removes condensation.
The CR1A-HS refrigerator unit and the CF1A-HS freezer are half door units that are both Energy Star rated and made in America. Both of these models are have the same vacuum formed, ABS liner like the other aforementioned models. They have two half height solid hinged doors that separate them from the other CF models.
The CR2A-FS refrigerator unit and the CF2A-FS freezer unit are both two-section commercial refrigeration/freezer units. The door construction on these models are made of a high grade stainless steel for both the interior and exterior with standard locks. The doors have a one piece, full length, extruded aluminum, flush mount handle and are mounted on eight gauge stainless steel hinge plates with a welded hinge pin. Both these models have the same energy efficient specs as the other commercial refrigeration models.
The CR2A-HS refrigerator unit and the CF2A-HS freezer unit are both two-section commercial refrigeration/freezer units. These units have two half height solid hinged doors. Both these models are made of a high grade stainless steel like the other models.
We have special pricing on all eight of the previously mentioned Hoshizaki refrigeration units here at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment. J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment is one of the leading Hoshizaki refrigeration unit dealers in the Southeast.
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COMMERCIAL SERIES REFRIGERATOR UNITS | HOSHIZAKI
CR1A-FS Hoshizaki Commercial Series One-Section, Reach-In Refrigerator
Hoshizaki is a leading manufacturer in commercial ice makers and refrigeration units across the globe. Now Hoshizaki has introduced a new line of Hoshizaki Commercial Series Refrigeration units. These new line of refrigeration and freezer units are top of the line in commercial refrigeration.
Not only are all of these units Energy Star approved, but they are also equipped with a new Evercheck® control board. This solid state digital controller with temperature alarms and an LED display alerts the owner of potential problems with audible and visual alarms. The controls allow the user to see the high and low temperature and high and low voltage alarms.
The Hoshizaki HOSHCF2A-FS 2 Section Commercial Series Reach-In Refrigerator includes a spring assisted, automatic door to protect door gaskets. It is energy efficient in the sense that it has a hot gas condensation evaporator that helps remove condensation.
The Hoshizaki HOSHCR1A-FS 1 Section Commercial Series Reach-In Refrigeration unit includes the same accessories as the aforementioned 2-door refrigerator unit. Both these units have a capillary tube system that controls the flow of environmentally friendly R134A refrigerants, or a substance used in the heating cycle that changes from a gas to a liquid, through the evaporator.
We have a large selection of Hoshizaki Commercial Series Refrigeration units available at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment.
J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment also has a wide selection of commercial sinks and accessories. We've also got good deals going on now on all Hoshizaki products.
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Commercial Refrigeration Preventive Maintenance (PM)
It has always been a mystery to me why people will spend thousands of dollars on commercial refrigeration like a reach-in refrigerator, reach-in freezer, walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer and never perform preventive maintenance. You would never buy a car and not change the oil would you? Preventive maintenance is not the cure all but just like changing your oil in the car it is important; preventive maintenance helps the equipment you worked so hard for last longer. At J.E.S we not only sell commercial restaurant equipment we also have a service department that is cable of providing PM & repair on all major brands of restaurant equipment as well as commercial HVAC. My guys cover the up state of South Carolina & when it's the middle of July and 95°+ the service department phone is ringing off the hook with calls from restaurants and other commercial facilities with refrigeration problems a lot of which could have been prevented. The key to helping your profit dollars go further is to limit repairs, not just ignore the cause of damage... NEGLECT! Here are a few simple items that I would suggest
- Find a service company that you trust, that’s very important. It is sad to say but not all service companies are honest, Find one you trust.
- All refrigeration need’s air flow so make sure all A/C filters are changed every 30 to 60 days.
- The condensers is the part of the system that remove the heat so make sure they are washed and cleaned at least 3 times a year, we monitor our customers and perform a good cleaning in the spring and fall they may need more throughout the year but make sure they are cleaned throw spring and fall.
- Evaporators need cleaning on the same schedule.
- Drain lines need to be cleared and checked also. If a drain line gets clogged on a frig or freezer it will cause the evaporator to freeze up, that means the man in the truck needs to be called and there goes today’s profit.
Some of our chain customers like Red Lobster have their own PM schedule that we go by, but any service company worth their weight in gold should have a PM plan that has specific checks scheduled in certain increments depending on the piece of equipment. I can promise you that if you start a PM plan you will see a decrease in things like your electric bill because your equipment will not run as long or work as hard, in other words the more efficiently the piece of equipment is running the less it costs to operate. I could probably write a book about all problems I have fixed and all it would have taken is a minimal (inexpensive) PM plan to PREVENT the damage expensive repair. My wife has talked me into writing this blog and more is sure to follow so take heed and start a PM plan; I assure you will see a difference. For those of you in up state South Carolina give me a call and we'll discuss the PM plans we offer and all the ways J.E.S can save you money.
Eric Smith Owner J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment PM & Repair7 Essential Pieces of Restaurant Equipment
There are a few pieces of restaurant equipment that are necessities, not that every restaurant will need each and every piece on this list, this is just a good starting point for anyone looking for restaurant equipment ideas.
- Commercial Ice Makers: In my opinion the one piece of restaurant equipment you are guaranteed to see in just about every restaurant is the ice maker. With out ice you may as well close your doors, especially during the hot summer months. You will need ice for food preparation, food storage and for serving beverages to your customers. Whether you are operating a full service restaurant or looking to open a fast food type establishment the commercial ice machine is going to be a critical piece in your restaurant equipment line-up.
- Stainless Steel Sinks: Stainless steel sinks are critical for numerous reasons, including but not limited to: food preparation, dish washing and employee hand washing. NSF approved stainless steel kitchen sinks, like the three compartment sink, are very important to your everyday operations since this is where dirty dishes end and clean dishes begin. Wall mounted hand sinks in strategic locations will encourage your staff to keep their hands washed, thus cutting back on the spread of germs and bacteria.
- Deep Fryer: I don't think I've ever been in a commercial kitchen that wasn't equipped with one or two commercial fryers. While fried food may not be the healthiest alternative, we all love it and it's hard to operate a restaurant without a few deep fried goodies on the menu. From french fries to fried green tomatoes, many side dishes and appetizers are fried and a quality deep fryer is one piece of restaurant equipment you wont be able to go without.
- Griddle: For short order restaurants and anyone planning to serve breakfast this is a must. Griddles are used to cook everything from hamburgers to scrambled eggs and many uses in between. The griddle is a fairly simple piece of equipment but has more uses than it does anything, it may not fit your kitchen plan but most restaurants have at-least a small section of their kitchen set aside for this useful piece of restaurant equipment.
- Convection Oven: Convection ovens come in very handy in most every type of restaurant, from baking biscuits for breakfast or roast beef for dinner, a convection oven is the way to go. You can get by with a standard (conventional) oven but the convection oven cooks more evenly and slightly faster, saving you time and energy.
- Commercial Refrigeration: Reach-in commercial freezers, reach-in commercial refrigerators, walk in coolers and walk in freezers are all critical to keeping your food stock fresh. Sandwich prep tables are also found in the kitchen of most restaurants to help ease the transition from grill to table. The prep table gives you a place to keep all your sandwich toppings and salad ingredients fresh, close at hand and ready to use.
- Commercial Dishwasher: Commercial dishwashers help ease the strain of washing all your dishes by hand. They come in a variety of sizes to fit any size outfit, from small under-counter dishwashers to the larger conveyor dishwashers, there is a commercial dishwasher right for you. I would recommend a high temperature sanitizing commercial dishwasher but there are chemical sanitizing commercial dishwashers to pick from as well.
I'll end my list there, and of course that's not everything you will need and like I said in the beginning you may not need every piece of restaurant equipment listed above but this will be a good starting point for your new venture. If you have any questions feel free to leave them as a comment bellow or call me at the toll free number in the signature line at the bottom. That's all for today, thanks for reading and remember...
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with J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment Restaurant Equipment / Catering Equipment / Commercial Sinks Commercial Ice Machines from Ice-O-Matic, Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, & Scotsman Greenwood, SC 1-866-200-6056Commercial Ice Machines: “Air-Cooled vs. Water-Cooled, whats the differance?”
It seems as though one of the more frequently asked questions around the sales office is, "What's the difference between air-cooled & water-cooled?"... Well I'm here to give you that answer. While it may seem as thought the answer is self explanatory most people do not understand the difference or the pros & cons of each.
Air-cooled commercial ice machines have a electric fan that assists in the removal of heat produced by the mechanical refrigeration components. Water-cooled commercial ice machines use water to cool the mechanical refrigeration by circulating the cool water around the components. Water-cooled machines use significantly more water than air-cooled machines, about 100 gallons per 100-lbs of ice produced, and single-pass (use and dump) systems have been banned in many cities in the US.
Air-cooled ice machines are far more popular these days mainly because they are more energy efficient than the water-cooled counterparts and have a lower cost of operation. A lot of the air-cooled commercial ice machines on the market today are adorned with the Energy Star label, for those not familiar with the Energy Star label it is the trusted, government-backed (EPA) symbol for energy efficiency helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. One downside to the self contained air-cooled ice machine is the warm air that is emitted into the room in which it is located, this typically isn't a problem and in most applications you will never notice the warm air coming from the ice machine. If you want to alleviate this "problem" you can use a remote air-cooled ice machine, this type of machine removes the condensing unit from the ice machine head and remotely locates it outside your building where the warm air will be discharged. While not as popular or energy efficient, water-cooled ice machines do have their place and that place is anywhere the ambient air temperature will be above 75°F. If the location you will be installing your commercial ice machine is not air-conditioned (i.e. outside) then a water-cooled machine may be the better choice. The reason for this being that if the ambient air is above 75°F the air-cooled machine will have a hard time cooling the refrigeration components there by putting a strain on the system which in turns decreases the machines production and increase wear and tear.
I hope this helps clear up some of the confusion but if you are still not certain about the type of machine you need or have questions regarding commercial ice machines feel free to contact the friendly and knowledgeable staff at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment and we'll be happy to help you. Thanks for reading and remember...
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with J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment Healthcare Foodservice Supplies / Catering Equipment / Commercial Sinks Commercial Refrigeration / Commercial Ovens & Ranges / Bar Supplies Greenwood, SC 1-866-200-6056True Commercial Refrigeration…
From salad/sandwich prep tables to bottle coolers, True Manufacturing has the commercial refrigeration you're looking for. True has been an industry leader in commercial refrigeration for 65 years and to this day they continue to go above and beyond in the areas of quality, design, availability and performance. True is committed to eco-friendly manufacturing by meeting and exceeding the energy standards while maintaining quality and performance. By matching and balancing over-sized compressors, evaporators and condenser coils, True engineers environmentally friendly refrigeration systems with shorter run times, lower energy consumption and the industry's coldest holding temperatures. The fan motors are completely sealed, oil-filled, self lubricating, low velocity fan motors with a life expectancy of 15-20 years. True commercial refrigeration utilizes ecomate foam, a foamed in place CFC free polyurethane, high density insulation that provides unparallelled strength and an increase to an already industry exceeding insulation factor with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and zero global warming potential (GWP). True commercial refrigeration has been made in the USA since 1945 and every commercial refrigerator and commercial freezer undergoes a 100% run test before being released into the finished goods inventory. For more information on True's commitment to quality and reliability check out the top 10 reasons to make a True Choice.
J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment carries the complete line of True commercial refrigeration at the lowest possible price every piece of commercial refrigeration from True ships at no cost to our customer.* Regardless of the size of your order we are committed to superior customer service so give us a call today and let J.E.S. be the one stop shop for all your commercial restaurant equipment and smallware needs. Thanks for reading and remember...
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with J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment Healthcare Foodservice Supplies / Catering Equipment / Commercial Sinks Commercial Refrigeration / Commercial Ovens & Ranges / Bar Supplies Greenwood, SC 1-866-200-6056*some restrictions apply, please contact customer service for details.
Stainless Steel Commercial Sinks
Cannonware 3 compartment commercial sink
Stainless steel compartment sinks are a requirement in every commercial kitchen for food preparation and dish washing. Even if you have a commercial dishwasher you still need a stainless steel compartment sink to satisfy the health departments requirements. Stainless steel compartment sinks come in a myriad of sizes and we can help you choose the one that is right for your commercial kitchen. If you need a 1 compartment sink or a 3 compartment sink visit our website or give us a call and let the friendly staff at J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment help you select the commercial sink you need. We carry Commercial compartment sinks from Advance Tabco and Cannonware as well as commercial faucets and pre-rinse units from T&S Brass and BK Resources. Check us out today and see how J.E.S. Restaurant Equipment can be your one stop shop for all your commercial restaurant equipment needs. Thanks for reading and remember...