Get rid of kitchen interruptions! Periodic maintenance reduces breakdowns

The main objective of periodic maintenance is to ensure the continuity of your professional kitchen. It brings certainty and manageability to your kitchen's daily routine and costs by reducing unexpected downtime. "The role of periodic maintenance cannot be overemphasised. It's the best way to keep your equipment running smoothly," says Pasi Iljo, Sales Manager of Maintenance in Metos Finland. 

It is important to maintain professional kitchen equipment during the warranty period. The aim of periodic maintenance is to ensure that the professional kitchen works in the kitchen's everyday life without any downtime. In fact, periodic maintenance significantly reduces the need for corrective maintenance. 

– If an appliance needs corrective maintenance, it's already broken. Maintenance is supposed to be preventive, says Iljo.
During periodic maintenance visits, the kitchen's equipment is checked, and the functioning of the equipment is reviewed. Wearing parts and parts requiring maintenance are replaced and the necessary cleaning and other activities are carried out. At the same time, the safety of the equipment is ensured by checking the correct functioning of electrical circuits and safety switches.  

– The maintenance interval depends on the equipment, its service instructions and maintenance plans, as well as on how much use the equipment gets and in which environment it is used, says Iljo. 

Read: Periodic maintenance has an important goal: to ensure the continuity of a professional kitchen's operations

Periodic maintenance saves both euros and the environment

When equipment is new, its performance and environmental impact are at optimum levels - in other words, it works as it should. As equipment is used, energy is lost, for example through wear and tear of components and ageing of materials.

For example, damage of a refrigerator seal causes heat to leak, forcing the refrigeration machine to produce more cold air. This results in increased energy consumption and premature ageing of the refrigeration equipment. 

Periodic maintenance is therefore also important from a sustainability and responsibility perspective.

– A well-maintained unit will always operate energy efficiently. Periodic maintenance maintains the performance and reliability of the equipment and minimizes its environmental impact. In addition, the service life can be maintained at the planned level, emphasises Iljo. 

In addition to wasted energy, various breakdowns and problems cause environmental stress in the form of extra maintenance visits. Periodic maintenance of equipment also reduces the need for corrective maintenance.

Read also: Maintain kitchen equipment regurlary - save money and the enviroment

Also the user must take care of the condition of the equipment 

Daily cleaning and maintenance of the equipment must be carried out as described in the instructions for use. 

– The instructions for use of the equipment indicate the actions that users must perform on a regular basis, e.g. daily or weekly. These can often be done quickly, without special tools and without dismantling the appliance. Some of the tasks can be automated, others have to be done manually, says Iljo. 
The user's actions have an impact on the quality of the equipment's operation, its reliability and the final result. 

– Negligence, on the other hand, can result in extra energy consumption, reduced production quality, taste defects or unexpected failures, Iljo continues. 

In addition to measures intended for users, the equipment may require measures that should only be carried out by a professional electrician. 

Learn how to get kitchen refrigeration equipment ready for the summer

Service network and spare parts for a sustainable kitchen

A comprehensive service network and spare parts service are a key part of the long life cycle of your equipment. They keep equipment in working order year after year - even for decades.

– We have our own, trained and skilled service organization. Because we train our people continuously and they have in-depth knowledge of our equipment, we have a good basis for maintaining customer satisfaction. And because our equipment is durable, spare parts service is an important part of our lifecycle service, also from a sustainability perspective. Our technicians have their own spare parts depots in their cars, where you can find the most commonly needed spare parts. Local spare parts warehouses ensure rapid availability, Iljo says.

– Sometimes a customer has even complained that spare parts are still available for his old washing machine because it would be more convenient to buy a new one.