Undercounter refrigeration’s average service life is between 10 and 15 years with proper care and maintenance.
The biggest issues with refrigeration center around lack of air movement. When air movement is obstructed across the condenser coils and through the grill plates, it forces the compressor to work harder, which will shorten the equipment’s service life. Refrigeration units are usually located in a confined space, so the evaporator condenser coils need to be kept clear of dust and other debris. Depending on the operation and kitchen conditions, this system should be checked either weekly or monthly and brushed out thoroughly. Operators also need to keep fan cages clean and free of debris so as not to compromise air movement throughout the refrigerator. In addition, fan motors and filter media should also be regularly cleaned as needed.
Doors on these units regularly need attention. Door gaskets can be easily overlooked in a beverage or bar environment where doors are constantly opened and closed. Because they can get sticky, gaskets should be cleaned with soap and water weekly or, at minimum, monthly. Otherwise, the gasket will start to stick to the door frame and eventually tear, which compromises the door seal, leaking cold air out of the unit. If this happens, the cooling system will need to work harder to keep proper temperatures. In addition, loose or bent hinges can be a problem as doors will wobble, potentially allowing cold air to escape. These can be easily tightened or replaced like gaskets.
Fortunately, the interior requires minimal maintenance, with just periodic wiping down with warm soapy water sufficing.
Undercounter refrigerator temperatures should be checked regularly and logged in. If there are concerning fluctuations, a service call is warranted. If the compressor stops cooling and the unit is older, it makes more sense to replace, rather than repair, the unit.
