A damaged fridge seal needs immediate attention as it can let warm air in and cause temperature fluctuations. You should arrange to have it replaced as soon as possible. In the meantime, monitor the fridge temperature more frequently as the faulty seal could be affecting the unit's ability to maintain the correct temperature.
Remember that door seals should be part of your weekly inspection routine along with condensers and vents to ensure everything is working efficiently.
Common misunderstanding: A small tear in the fridge seal won't affect the fridge's performance significantly.
Even a small tear in the fridge seal can lead to significant energy loss and temperature fluctuations, compromising food safety and increasing energy costs. It's crucial to address any seal damage immediately to maintain optimal fridge performance and energy efficiency.
Common misunderstanding: Using tape to temporarily fix a fridge seal is an effective solution.
While tape might seem like a quick fix, it doesn't provide an airtight seal and can lead to air leaks, causing the fridge to work harder to maintain its temperature. It's best to replace the seal promptly to ensure proper functioning and energy efficiency.
If you notice the fridge temperature rising above 5°C due to the damaged seal, you should start monitoring the food temperature closely. If temperatures reach above 8°C, you'll need to transfer the food to another working fridge. Keep checking temperatures regularly and document all your actions in Pilla using the comments section on a fridge temperature task.
Common misunderstanding: As long as the fridge door is closed, the temperature won't rise significantly even with a damaged seal.
A damaged seal can allow warm air to enter even with the door closed, leading to temperature rises that can jeopardise food safety. Continuous monitoring and timely relocation of food are essential to prevent spoilage.
Common misunderstanding: Moving food to another fridge isn't necessary if the temperature is only slightly above 5°C.
Even a slight rise in temperature can accelerate bacterial growth. To ensure food safety, it's prudent to relocate foods if the temperature exceeds safe limits, ensuring they remain below 8°C to prevent spoilage and health risks.
Regular weekly inspections of the door seal, condensers, and vents are essential to catch any issues early. Make sure the door is always closed properly and avoid overloading the fridge as this can put extra strain on the seal. Clean the seal regularly to prevent debris buildup which can cause damage over time.
Common misunderstanding: Cleaning the seal once a year is sufficient to prevent damage.
Regular cleaning is crucial to prevent debris buildup that can compromise the seal's integrity. It's advisable to clean the seal more frequently, ideally as part of a weekly maintenance routine, to ensure a tight seal and prevent long-term damage.
Common misunderstanding: Overloading the fridge doesn't impact the door seal.
Overloading can cause the fridge door to not close properly, putting undue stress on the seal and potentially causing damage. Ensuring proper load distribution helps maintain seal integrity and optimises fridge performance.
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Fridge temperatures should be checked and recorded twice per day or once per shift. Regular checking helps identify any issues early, preventing potential food safety problems.
Food that has been above 8°C must be discarded after 4 hours. This rule is strictly applicable only once and cannot be applied multiple times for periods under 4 hours each.
If you discover that the fridge temperature is above 8°C, you should immediately take the following steps: (1) Check the actual food temperature using a clean, sanitised probe thermometer.
Raw meat should always be stored on the lowest shelf of the fridge to prevent drips from contaminating other foods.
Yes, it is necessary to record all fridge temperatures, even when they are within the normal range.
Yes, you can use cling film to cover food in the display fridge as long as it is food-grade wrapping. Ensure that your display fridge also has proper sneeze guards or screening to protect the food.
Batch-cooked food should be consumed within three days, including the day it was prepared. For instance, if the food is cooked on Tuesday, it should be used by the end of Thursday.
Ideally, fresh fish should be stored in a separate fridge set at a temperature below 3°C to meet its specific cooling requirements.
Fridge seals should be inspected weekly to check their condition and cleanliness. This regular maintenance helps keep the fridge working efficiently.
If the duration of the fridge outage overnight is unknown and you cannot verify that the food temperature has remained below 8°C using a probe thermometer, it is safer to discard all the food and record it as waste. However, if the temperature checks confirm the food is below 8°C, you can safely transfer it to another working fridge. This approach prevents unnecessary waste while ensuring compliance with food safety standards.
When food is stored in a fridge and the temperature is between 6-8°C, it should be checked hourly to ensure it doesn't exceed 8°C.
No, you should not put hot food directly into the fridge. Doing so can raise the temperature inside the fridge, potentially affecting other stored foods and causing temperature fluctuations.
Ensure there is adequate space around all sides of items in your fridge, particularly at the back and sides of the unit, to allow cold air to flow freely.
If you don't have access to an alternative refrigeration unit during a breakdown, you must use the affected food within 4 hours if the temperature rises above 8°C.