Hardy Residential Services Co.Hardy Residential Services Co.

Signs your oven needs calibration: food is consistently undercooked or overcooked at standard settings, cooking times are significantly longer or shorter than expected, the displayed temperature doesn't match an independent thermometer reading. Oven calibration should be part of every service visit and can drift over time from component wear. A variance of more than 25°F warrants professional calibration.

Commercial ice machines should be professionally cleaned and sanitized every 6 months at minimum, or more frequently in hard water areas. The FDA Food Code requires ice machines to be clean and sanitized to prevent mold, slime, and bacterial growth. Between professional cleanings, staff should clean the exterior, ice bin, and scoop holder regularly. Many operators who skip cleaning face costly repairs from scale buildup and potential health code violations.

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.