Sunstate Mechanical Contractors Inc.

A compliant hood cleaning includes: complete degreasing of the hood canopy, all grease filters, the entire ductwork system from hood to exhaust fan discharge, and the exhaust fan and housing. Areas that cannot be thoroughly cleaned must be documented. Cleaning must be performed by a qualified company and documented with service report and before/after photos. The technician should leave a dated sticker on the equipment and provide a compliance certificate.

Commercial refrigerators must maintain 40°F (4°C) or below for food safety compliance. Walk-in freezers should be at 0°F (-18°C) or below. Many food safety programs require refrigerators to run at 35-38°F for proper margin. If your unit struggles to maintain proper temperature, especially during busy service periods or in hot kitchen environments, call a technician — compressor capacity or refrigerant levels may be the issue.

Commercial kitchen equipment lifespans vary: commercial ovens 15-20 years, fryers 10-15 years, refrigeration equipment 10-15 years, ice machines 7-10 years, dishwashers 10-15 years, steam tables 10-15 years. Regular preventive maintenance significantly extends equipment life. Equipment that is properly maintained often outlasts these averages by 5+ years.