Obsidian Electrical Contractors

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.

1) Call an emergency refrigeration technician immediately. 2) Take and document temperature readings. 3) Move the most temperature-sensitive items (proteins, dairy) to alternate refrigeration first. 4) Contact your health department if temperatures approach 40°F+ — they can advise on food safety decisions. 5) Document all food temps for insurance claims. 6) Consider dry ice or portable refrigeration units for critical inventory. 7) Alert your supplier you may need emergency replacement products.

Common causes include: faulty igniter or ignition module, failed heating element (electric ovens), thermostat or temperature probe failure, gas valve issues, or clogged burner ports. Start by checking error codes on the control panel if equipped. If the oven lights but doesn't reach temperature, the thermostat or temperature probe is often the culprit. A certified technician can diagnose the root cause quickly.