A-1 Appliance Repair

A comprehensive PM program should include: scheduled inspections at manufacturer-recommended intervals, cleaning of condenser coils and filters, calibration of temperature controls, inspection and testing of safety systems, lubrication of moving parts, replacement of wear items (gaskets, filters, belts), refrigerant level checks, combustion analysis for gas equipment, and detailed documentation for each visit. Avoid programs that are just a visual inspection without hands-on service.

Preventive maintenance frequency depends on the equipment and usage volume. As a general guideline: fryers and ovens should be inspected every 3-6 months; refrigeration equipment annually or semi-annually; ice machines every 6 months (including cleaning and sanitizing); exhaust hoods quarterly to semi-annually per NFPA 96; and dishwashers quarterly. High-volume operations benefit from more frequent service intervals.

High-temperature commercial dishwashers must reach 180°F (82°C) at the final rinse to achieve proper sanitization per NSF and health department standards. Low-temperature chemical sanitizing machines must maintain proper chemical concentrations (chlorine, iodine, or quaternary). If your high-temp machine isn't reaching 180°F, it's not properly sanitizing and may fail health inspection. Call a technician immediately.