Because of basic design, food well cleaning and maintenance tends to be simple and straightforward.
On a daily basis, food wells should be thoroughly rinsed and wiped down with a mild detergent. For wells using water to keep foods at proper temperatures, water in the well should be drained and refilled daily to prevent scale and mineral buildup.
Plumbing connections should not be yanked by staff members, and items should not be hung on the unit’s pipes. Doing so can cause a break in the connection point, requiring service and repair.
There are signs food wells need servicing or replacing. Scorch marks on the bottom of a food well may indicate the unit is failing. If there is no power when the thermostat is activated, this may indicate the heating element, line or a wire needs servicing.
Temperature consistency should be carefully monitored. If the food well is not getting enough heat, cooling is not sufficient or temperatures vary too much, service will be needed.
The average service life of food wells varies depending on construction, maintenance and use. However, on average, these units last between 10 and 20 years.
