Walk-in coolers are the unsung heroes of the food industry and help keep production running smoothly. However, when these trusty coolers hit a snag, it's like a chill running down your spine – and not the refreshing kind.
Whether you're a seasoned restaurant owner or a kitchen rookie, troubleshooting walk-in cooler problems is a skill worth mastering.
Follow these steps to troubleshoot common walk-in issues.
Walk-in is temping high
Confirm all evaporator fans are spinning
If not, do a breaker reset. Typically there will be two breakers coupled together for walk-in units.
Toggle the breakers off for at least 60 seconds.
Confirm the walk-in is not in defrost mode
Keep checking! An increase of 10-20 degrees during defrost mode is not uncommon.
Triple check the temperature controls and defrost mode settings.
If the walk-in has been temping high for greater than one hour, it is not in defrost mode.
Has the door been left open even a tiny crack? Did the location get a delivery and have the door open for a prolonged amount of time? Can we check for worn / out of place / dirty / frozen over gaskets, door closures or hinges?
Check for frost/ice buildup
Look for frost or ice buildup on the evaporator pipe or box inside the walk-in.
If you see frost or ice, try defrosting manually. Walk-ins can be turned off for 45 minutes at a time and monitored to help loosen up any frost buildup.
Use a warm cloth or hair dryer to defrost.
❗ Never turn the walk-in off overnight!
Confirm the unit has proper air flow
If you have roof access, check the condenser on the roof to see if it is very dirty/caked with dust or pollen.
This can be a common issue when the area nearby is under construction or during pollen/cottonwood season in the spring, but could also happen after an ice storm/snow or if the ambient air outside is suddenly way too hot or cold.
Walk-in is leaking
Locate the drain line
Just like in reach-in coolers, walk-ins have a drain line. They may be wrapped with insulation to prevent the water in them from freezing over.
Attempt to identify where the leak is originating from
Check where the drain line comes through the ceiling.
If the leak is coming from one consistent spot along the drain line, it may be indicative of a broken drain line.
If the leak is coming from near the evaporator fans, check for frost/ice buildup. If you see any, follow the defrost troubleshooting steps noted above.
Further Troubleshooting
