Perishable food doesn’t last forever, and it’s normal for businesses to lose some food on occasion. However, excessive food waste is a huge problem that can be very costly for businesses to deal with. The good news is that there are effective ways to reduce food waste in commercial coolers to minimize the cost of lost inventory and keep food supplies fresh. Keep reading to learn some walk-in cooler tips to help reduce food waste in your restaurant, store or commercial kitchen.
Tips for reducing food waste
Many business owners don’t realize just how much money they’re losing on food that gets thrown away. The costs associated with food waste can really add up, leading to huge expenses that really hurt the bottom line. In addition to the cost of food waste, there’s also the environmental impact of wasting food. With all of this in mind, here are some of the best tips to reduce food waste in commercial coolers:
- Prioritize circulation: One of the biggest mistakes business owners make when stocking their commercial coolers is packing them too full of food and inhibiting airflow and circulation. Air circulation is essential when it comes to keeping germs and bacteria at bay. In addition, a lack of airflow forces coolers to work harder to maintain the right temperature, contributing to higher energy costs. Try to keep at least three inches of space between food containers to promote good airflow. It’s also important to leave six inches of space above the floor and below the ceiling in a commercial cooler.
- Calibrate the temperature in the cooler: It’s important to set the temperature in your cooler effectively to make sure everything you’re storing is kept at the optimum temperature for maximum freshness. Calibrate the temperature based on what you’re storing in your cooler and avoid setting it too low, since this can increase the risk of freezing and cause damage to certain perishables.
- Use organization to your advantage: Another great way to reduce food waste in commercial coolers is to maximize the benefits of organization. Coolers typically have some distinct sections that are colder than others, so keep raw meat and fish in these areas. Usually, bottom racks in the back of coolers have the coolest temperatures. In addition to improving the freshness of food, optimizing food storage in coolers also helps prevent contamination by keeping meat separate from fresh produce.
- Be proactive about scheduling repairs: When something goes wrong with a walk-in cooler, it’s essential to get the necessary repairs completed as quickly as possible. Preventative maintenance keeps coolers working effectively and efficiently and reduces the risk of excessive wear and tear and premature aging.
Call for cooler maintenance and repair
At Commercial Equipment Service Inc., we know how important cooler service is when it comes to keeping food fresh and safe, and we’re here to help our customers keep their cooling equipment operating at peak performance. We offer everything from commercial cooler service to sales and installation to make sure you receive exactly what you need for your business. Get started with a consultation and quote by giving us a call today.