Grills and griddles are important parts of a commercial kitchen. If you run a restaurant that specializes in grilled food products, you have to have a commercial grill in your kitchen that can cook large batches of food at the same time to serve customers. But what you need to know is that the quality of the food is directly related to the maintenance of the grill. If the grill is overlooked, the quality of the food is going to be bad as well. This is why commercial kitchen appliance repair experts suggest following a maintenance schedule when it comes to maintaining the quality of the restaurant. Below is a list of some important tips that will help you stay ahead in the game.
Clean Your Grill After Each Use
The first and most important maintenance factor you need to keep in mind while owning a commercial grill is that you should clean it after each use. Some business owners think that commercial grills should not be regularly cleaned as the built-up gunk adds a unique flavor to the food.
There is no logic or proof to back this claim and most health experts agree to the fact that this gunk is a collection of burnt oil, fat, and other factors that are a lot more unhealthy. It raises concerns about bacteria, mold, carcinogens, and other issues.
At the same time, some people also believe that the extreme temperature produced by the grill kills the bacteria, which makes it safe for cooking food without much cleaning. The fact is that it does kill bacteria but not all of it. So, you are always at the risk of getting ill by a small percentage of bacteria that could have easily been removed by cleaning the grill.
Considering such factors, you should always try to clean the grill after each use. This goes a long way in terms of ensuring what you consume straight out of the grill is not contaminated. All you need to do is grab a chemical agent and some water. Make sure the grill is cool and not hot.
If it is, you will have to wait a while. Simply spray the chemical agent over the griddle and let it settle down. Then, use the cloth and some water to remove the accumulations.
Apart from that, you should also schedule monthly cleaning where the appliance is cleaned thoroughly. It can be done by your staff or a commercial equipment cleaning professional.
Check The Fuel Line And Regulator
Since commercial grills run on natural gas and propane, it is quite common for them to experience leaks. The problem here is that the majority of the people wait for the leak to take place instead of performing periodic inspections and keeping the issues at bay.
Furthermore, you should know that both natural gas and propane are odorless. However, they add a smell that is like rotten eggs so make leak detection easier. That said, you should not wait for the leak to highlight itself but perform routine inspections of the fuel line and regulator.
The good news is that performing a leak test isn’t difficult at all. All you need to do is purchase a leak detector spray or use a combination of water and soap. Simply spray the spray or the solution over the important areas and see if you observe any bubble formations.
If there are some leaks, you will need to replace the hose. Make sure that you check all the gas-related pipes, hoses, and components through which the gas passes or exits. Then again, the grill should not be hot.
Inspect And Clean The Burners
Inspecting and cleaning the burners is an integral part of maintaining a commercial grill. The reason is that oil, grease, and other accumulations can clog the burners and result in uneven cooking. This is why you might be having problems with consistent quality. If you observe that the food is cooked unevenly, it means the burners are most likely blocked.
The problem with blocked burners is not just uneven cooking but also hot spots and flare-ups that could result in a fire. With burners cleaning, you ensure that your food is cooked evenly. Since commercial grills are used on a daily basis and for hours throughout the day, it is only logical to clean them at the end of each working day.
Keep in mind that cleaning the burners takes a bit more effort especially if you allow the accumulations to form. But if you tend to remove them on a timely basis, you wouldn’t have to put in as much effort. This advice is important for all appliances that have burners like steamers and deep fryers. So, if your deep fryer doesn’t turn on, clean the fryer along with the burners before calling in a deep fryer repair Alexandria expert.
Inspect And Maintain The Ignition System
Commercial grills have oil, dirt, dust, and grease entering sensitive areas, impeding the performance and functioning of the components. The ignition system starts up the grill and if there is a problem with it, you will not be able to cook food. Accessing the ignition system can be a slightly tricky task as it is a sensitive component.
Plus, the location of the ignition system varies based on the model of the equipment. In this case, you must consult an expert and let them deal with the system. If you observe that the ignition system doesn’t work and there are no obvious signs & symptoms, you might have to get it replaced.
The reason is that ignition systems can last quite a long time but not for decades. Sooner or later, they will need to be replaced. So, if the grill happens to be old, you are better off replacing the ignition system instead of wasting time and effort on cleaning it.
Give Your Griddle A Deep Cleaning
Following the maintenance tips mentioned above will surely help keep some problems at bay but that is still not enough. Considering the fact that commercial grills are designed to cook food every day, the unit experiences significant wear and tear. To make the most out of your commercial equipment, you need to care for it.
You might have trained your employees to perform regular inspections and maintenance but deep cleaning i.e. expert maintenance should also be considered. Using their skills and expertise, experts can reach inaccessible areas using tools and look for cracks, damage, and leaks at the same time.
This not only allows them to thoroughly clean but also repair and replace damaged components before they can halt the functioning of the grill on a busy business day. This is a small investment to keep your grill running smooth and avoid complications just when you need the grill the most.
Conclusion
Commercial grills and griddles are not difficult to deal with if you are willing to spend some time and effort into maintaining them. They are designed to last long but won’t if you neglect the basic maintenance rules. So, try to be regular with the maintenance. Also, invest in expert solutions provided by commercial appliances repair Springfield services. This goes a long way in terms of ensuring your customers are always served high-quality meals.