The fridge seals, along with condensers and vents, should be inspected weekly to check both their condition and cleanliness. This regular maintenance is essential for keeping the unit working efficiently.
A dirty or faulty seal can let warm air in, which affects the temperature inside the fridge and could lead to bacterial growth and food spoilage.What happens if we find the seal is damaged during the weekly check?
If you find the seal is damaged or not creating a proper seal, it needs to be replaced immediately. A faulty seal will allow warm air to enter the fridge, causing temperature fluctuations that could compromise food safety. Until the seal is replaced, you'll need to monitor the fridge temperature more frequently to ensure it's maintaining the correct temperature.
Common misunderstanding:: Fridge seals do not need to be cleaned if the rest of the fridge is regularly sanitised.
While sanitising the interior of your fridge is crucial, fridge seals require special attention because they can harbour bacteria and mould if neglected. Cleaning and inspecting seals weekly helps ensure they are free from debris that might compromise their effectiveness, which is essential for maintaining consistent temperatures and preventing food spoilage.
Common misunderstanding: Only professional technicians can properly inspect fridge seals for damage.
While professional technicians are trained to handle various appliance issues, inspecting fridge seals is a task that can be effectively performed by in-house staff. Regular visual inspections and simple tests, such as the dollar bill test, can identify weak seals. If you can easily pull a bill out from a closed door seal, it indicates a potential leak, and timely action can prevent more significant issues.
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our founder Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.
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.
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.
If the fridge seal is damaged, it's important to address the issue immediately as it can lead to warm air entering the fridge and cause temperature fluctuations.