SYMPTOMS OF FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT FAILURE – WHAT INDICATES THE NEED FOR INTERVENTION?

Food service equipment is a wide group of devices with different purposes and operating principles. A meat grinder is constructed differently, while a blender, freezer or coffee maker operates differently. In principle, the only common element is electric power, although gas appliances are also used in catering.

The variety of machines and their designs also makes the failures they undergo different. What should prompt the user to turn off the machine and return it for inspection is the discovery of even a minor irregularity in its operation.

The most common symptoms caused by the failure of catering equipment are:

• Reduce power or stop heating or cooling altogether,
• Blocking, stopping or releasing moving elements responsible for, for example, mixing or whisking,
• No response to the activation of the switch,
• emitting unusual odors, such as burning, heated metal or insulation,
• Vibration and unusual vibration of the machine during operation,
• Unusual sounds such as grinding, clattering, moving loose parts, whistling, squeaking, etc..,
• physical signs of damage – component breakage, oil leaks, blisters on the housing and other physical changes noticeable to the naked eye.

The symptoms presented are sure to be noticed by both experienced people and workers without training. They are rather intuitive and should arouse everyone’s alertness. Sometimes, however, the malfunction is hidden, and finding it requires a thorough visual inspection of the equipment.

These include, for example, a worn-out seal in the coffee maker, which can break during operation, causing boiling water to spill out. The problem can also be a chafed electrical cable hidden somewhere behind the appliance, and posing a serious risk of electrocution or fire.

In order to avoid serious consequences of using such devices, it is essential to carry out a systematic visual inspection, preferably before each commissioning.

HOW TO CHECK IF A CATERING APPLIANCE IS WORKING PROPERLY?

Inspecting a machine for its efficiency should not be limited to a superficial visual assessment. The complicated structure of the equipment and the lack of a good knowledge of it often do not allow you to identify irregularities. Therefore, it would be a good idea to use the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Most often there is a detailed description of the construction with an indication of all components, and often with a drawing of the assembly instructions. By checking the machine with the instructions, you can compare all its components and the correctness of their attachment.

In the next step, it is worth checking how the appliance is connected to the water, gas or electrical network. Note that any interference with such connections is possible only with the involvement of a professional.

However, it is important to determine whether the plugs are turned on correctly and the connectors remain tight. It is also important to remove dirt from the machine. This is because they may be hiding some defect or themselves contributing to malfunctioning.

WHEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR CATERING EQUIPMENT REPAIRED BY A SPECIALIST?

The failure of catering equipment is a serious problem, as it can contribute to the downtime of food production and reduce the number of customers. Therefore, the identification of a malfunction requires immediate intervention.

If the malfunction has been detected in a catering facility and it is known what is causing it, you can try to replace the damaged part yourself. However, when it is difficult to find out what is causing the equipment malfunction or the failure is serious, it is worth using the help of specialists from Sperto.

Fixing the problem yourself with insufficient knowledge can end up with even more serious damage. You should also return the device to the service center while it is still under warranty.