Refrigerated display cases are there to sell product, which means they sit in bright, busy spaces, often near doors and windows, and many of them are open at the front. That makes them more sensitive than a walk-in or reach-in. When a case starts running warm, the cause is often something staff can spot before calling for service.
Things staff can check first
- Overloading: on open cases, product stacked past the load line blocks the curtain of cold air that keeps the case cold. Keep product behind the line and off the front grille.
- Blocked air vents: signs, price tags or product over the back or bottom vents stop air from moving.
- Night covers and doors: on open cases, using night covers after hours helps the case recover. On glass-door cases, check that doors close and seal on their own.
- Heat and drafts: a case near an entrance, heater, oven or sunny window has to work much harder. A ceiling fan or heater blowing across an open case can pull the cold air out.
- Fogged glass: fog or water on glass doors can point to a door heater or humidity problem. See why display coolers fog up.
Problems that need a technician
- Iced-up coil: if ice is building on the coil, or the case never seems to defrost properly, air can't pass through and the case warms up.
- Fan failure: display cases rely on fans to move air across the product. A failed fan motor can make one section warm while the rest stays cold.
- Dirty condenser: self-contained cases reject heat into the store. A coil packed with dust makes the unit run hot and lose capacity.
- Refrigerant or compressor problems: a case that runs constantly but never gets cold may have a leak or a failing compressor.
- Drain problems: water pooling under the case or inside the bottom pan can mean a blocked drain, which can lead to ice and warm product.
Keep a simple temperature log
Check the product temperature, not just the display on the case, at opening and in the afternoon. A case that slowly creeps warmer over a week usually has a problem developing. Catching it early often means a cleaning or a small repair instead of a full breakdown and lost stock.
Regular maintenance helps
Display cases do best with scheduled cleaning of coils, drains and fans. Our article on how often to maintain commercial refrigeration explains what a maintenance visit covers.
Get your case back to temperature
YYC Mechanical repairs display coolers and refrigerated cases for grocery stores, convenience stores, cafés and bakeries across Calgary and nearby towns. If product is at risk, call our 24/7 emergency line.