Even the most reliable foodservice equipment can break down at some point, potentially during the lunch or dinner rush. One of the leading causes of equipment failure is a lack of preventive maintenance. In addition to expensive repair costs, neglecting preventive maintenance schedules can also lead to poor performance, costly downtime, shorter equipment life and higher energy costs. In fact, preventive maintenance can save as much as 15 percent a year in energy costs.

"Foodservice equipment is at the heart of the restaurant business, and equipment downtime can have drastic impacts on food quality and customer service," says Blake Heim, director of marketing for Hobart Service.

According to Heim, chain restaurants should perform, or use a third party to perform, regularly scheduled basic maintenance tasks such as inspections, adjustments, cleaning and lubrications to keep equipment operating in peak condition. When performing preventive maintenance, pay special attention to:

Thermostat controls: Check and recalibrate thermostats and control systems (if necessary) to ensure ovens are cooking at the right temperature.

Refrigeration condenser coils: Ensure dust or grime doesn't build up on the fins or block airflow across the coils to prolong compressor life.

Control panels: Repair broken control panels on ovens, steamers and other appliances.

Leaks: Check for oil, gas, water or grease leaks.

Pilot flames: Check and adjust pilot flames to make sure they are bullet-shaped and mostly blue. This status will ensure the pilot light isn't over-fired.

Gaskets: Immediately replace loose or torn refrigeration door or drawer gaskets to maximize cooling efficiency and help keep utility bills in check.

A Less Obvious Threat Back to top

Leaks and worn or broken components pose an obvious threat to foodservice equipment, but many chain restaurants overlook the most common threat of all. Contaminated water can be water-fed equipment's biggest enemy. Contaminants such as chlorine, sediment, corrosion and hardness not only impact the performance and life span of foodservice equipment, but they can also affect the taste of a restaurant's foods and beverages. Even minor water issues can create large problems.

Chain restaurants should delime warewashers, combi ovens, steamers and proofers on a regular basis to eliminate hard-water buildup. Lime deposits can reduce equipment efficiency and, if left unchecked, can shorten equipment life.

"Deliming procedures vary by equipment," explains Heim. "Some foodservice equipment can be delimed by adding a deliming agent. Manually removing mineral buildup might be required on other equipment."

Water quality—which varies from region to region—plays a significant role in mineral buildup, so have the water tested to determine the composition of the local water supply. This step will dictate what treatment solution is required, including water softeners, reverse-osmosis systems, and sediment and chemical filters. It's important to select the system that is right for your needs, so it would be beneficial to review treatment options with a qualified OEM to ensure you're getting the best solution for your investment.

Regardless of what treatment solution you incorporate, it's important to remember that these solutions also require preventive maintenance to operate efficiently. If you decide to outsource preventive maintenance for your foodservice equipment, select a service provider that is knowledgeable about your equipment, warranties, NSF and other certifications or qualifications.

Wait on Customers, Not the Repairman Back to top

Some chain restaurants might choose to manage preventive maintenance scheduled themselves, and others might outsource preventive maintenance operations. Either way, regularly scheduled preventive maintenance keeps foodservice equipment running efficiently, prevents downtime, cuts maintenance and energy costs, and lengthens equipment life.

Preventive maintenance also ensures restaurant staff are waiting on customers, not the repairman.

Click here for more information on how to establish preventive maintenance program or to learn more about Hobart's preventive maintenance programs.