Here are five tips to extend the service life of a walk-in cooler and freezer.

Walk-in refrigerators and freezers are high-dollar items in more ways than one. Not only are they expensive to set up, they usually hold thousands of dollars in food at any given moment. Considering the investment, keeping them in good working order is a small price to pay. Here are a few tips to maintaining walk-ins.

• Check the door gasket and hinges. If a good seal isn't formed when a walk-in's door is closed, cool air will leak out. At best, that's wasted money in the form of higher electric bills. At worst, it leads to food being stored at unsafe temperatures.
• Regularly service the units. These visits should include but not be limited to cleaning the evaporator coil and the fan as well as making sure the drain line is clear. Failing to clean these parts will undoubtedly lead to higher energy bills and possibly high-dollar repairs.
• The summer months are when walk-ins are asked to work the hardest. Try to schedule a planned maintenance call during the spring to make sure your unit is in prime working condition.
• Clean the condenser coil regularly. Often, operators can handle this job by themselves between service visits with a simple shop vac. Consult your owner's manual for exact instructions.
• Acidic foods like tomatoes and pickles emit gasses that can slowly eat through refrigeration lining. Keep all food well covered to avoid this problem.