Common Maintenance Issues In The Commercial Kitchen

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Even though it can be a tough job, it’s one of those jobs that needs to be done; maintenance. A commercial kitchen can be a busy place, and maintenance can sometimes take a back seat when there’s food preparation to be done and customers to serve. It can also be difficult to know how to do it the right way to ensure equipment works as it should and your kitchen flows well.

The right maintenance in your kitchen can help save money and energy in the long run, so to make sure you don’t neglect your kitchen, we’ve put together some common maintenance issues in the commercial kitchen, some of which may seem very familiar!

Lack of cleaning

Grease build-up is inevitable if you don’t regularly clean your equipment, and this build-up can pose so many problems later down the line, such as component breakdown or the slowing of equipment when in use. For the best possible results, you should get a professional clean at least once every six months, and ensure you also clean equipment yourself regularly. For more information about Service and Repair from Swift, get in touch with our friendly team.

Your ventilation system

Not only can your kitchen equipment and appliances gather a build-up of leftover food and grease, but your ventilation system can suffer too. You may notice a change in the airflow in your kitchen, which is a sign your ventilation may be struggling to work at its best. Again, a professional clean is best to not only ensure your ventilation is running smoothly, but it also eliminates the need for extensive manual cleaning yourself. Get in touch if we can help!

Not replacing parts

Equipment doesn’t last forever and prolonged use can really take its toll on certain components. If your equipment is starting to slow down, or you notice that some of your components are deteriorating, it’s always best to organise replacements before a breakdown is imminent. This will ensure equipment can always be running, instead of forcing your kitchen to close because you have equipment that has broken down. Not the best thing to happen at the lunchtime rush!

Failing to implement a maintenance plan

It’s all well and good ensuring your equipment is clean for a day or two, but are you keeping up with your maintenance efforts through a schedule? Having a maintenance plan encourages whoever is responsible for this area of your business to ensure regular maintenance checks are carried out and can prevent a breakdown of your equipment. A schedule can help keep your entire kitchen running efficiently and most importantly, make sure your customers are given the service they deserve!

Need a little maintenance help?

When your ventilation or catering equipment malfunctions, you can always rely on Swift Maintenance to get your operations back up and running again as smoothly as possible. With accredited technicians situated throughout the UK, we aim to be by your side within four hours of your call if required.

Get in touch with us by calling 0121 505 4001 or by using the contact form on our website.

Ventilation For Kitchens Reopening After The Pandemic

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It’s not the first time that kitchens across the country have had to close their doors due to the ongoing global pandemic, and here we are again wondering when things will be back to normal. With tougher restrictions meaning many foodservice establishments are closed once again, we should be making the most of this time, and putting plans into place for when it is safe to reopen.

Kitchen ventilation is something that may often be overlooked, but without regular usage, it could cause a whole lot of problems when your kitchen is fired up again. What are some of the points you should keep in mind when reopening a kitchen and how can you ensure your ventilation system is working as it should be?

Using ventilation after being idle

If a commercial kitchen has been closed for a while, appliances and ventilation may not have been touched since the last time you were serving food. Not only is the lack of use a problem, but over time, it will have gathered dust, meaning that if you want a perfectly working system, you’ll need to invest time, and potentially money, into giving your ventilation system a good clean before it’s used again.

Filters may also need to be changed and to make sure the job is done properly and safely, we’d always recommend getting a professional out to do the job for you. Our services include planned preventative maintenance for ventilation systems, so if you have any questions or have a job for us, get in touch.

Improving ventilation during the pandemic

With coronavirus spreading so easily, transmission through ventilation may have crossed your mind. With news of an outbreak through air conditioning in China, it’s become a worry for some that ventilation systems may not be the best idea. However, without ventilation, restaurants and kitchens pose an ever bigger risk of transmission, preventing fresh air from entering, and confining any trace of the virus in one space.

The right ventilation is so important to maintain a comfortable working environment, even in current times. Talk to the Swift team for help and advice about the best options for you, and just how we can help with all your ventilation needs.

What steps should kitchens working through takeaway and delivery services take?

Of course, if you’ve regularly been using your ventilation system through takeaway and delivery preparation, you won’t need to take immediate action. It’s still important to ensure your system is clean regularly to ensure the whole system is working as it should. If we can help shed a little light on the situation and give you some advice, we’re always available for a chat.

Can we help with your ventilation needs?

We have over four decades experience in the design, manufacture and installation of all types of commercial kitchen and industrial ventilation systems, as well as planned preventative maintenance. We offer nationwide coverage and our aim is to provide a complete service. For more information about what we do or if you need any ventilation advice, get in touch with us by calling 0121 505 4001 or by using the contact form on our website.

Swift Shortlisted for Kitchen and Equipment Award

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Catering Insight and Foodservice Equipment Journal have recently joined forces to create a special awards programme, honouring the extraordinary efforts of individuals and businesses during the most challenging year in the industry’s history.

You may have heard that nominations for the Kitchen and Equipment Awards are in, and we were delighted to find out that we’ve been shortlisted for the Service & Maintenance Provider of the Year award!

This category was open to both specialist service companies and distributors that operate dedicated service businesses, with maintenance proving particularly vital in this disrupted year.

We’re incredibly thankful for the nomination and for being shortlisted. It really means a lot to the whole team and we’re so proud of each and every staff member who continues to work so hard in such uncertain times.

Keep up to date with the awards progress on the Catering Insight website here – we’ve all got our fingers crossed for a win!