Generally, a commercial refrigerator, irrespective of size, type, or usage, should be serviced every six months (ie, twice a year). However, in a high-usage environment like a large commercial restaurant, your commercial fridge may require quarterly cleaning and service to prevent breakdowns and maintain optimal efficiency.
- Ideally, you should clean and service your commercial fridge every 6 months, or every 3 months in high-traffic settings.
- However, how often you service a commercial refrigerator also largely depends on the frequency of use, the operating environment, the age of the equipment, and many other factors.
To maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of your commercial refrigerator, you have to be able to recognize when it needs servicing (or replacement), what exactly servicing should entail, and how to service it.
How often should you service your commercial refrigerator?
- All things being equal, a commercial refrigerator should be cleaned and serviced every 6 months, or every 3 months in high-use settings.
- However, if your commercial refrigerator is used in a large restaurant, in a kitchen that is hot, greasy, or dusty, you may need to service it after every 3 months or even after every two months.
- The type of commercial refrigerator also matters. Commercial display refrigerators and commercial merchandisers are frequently opened by customers, and so they may require even more frequent maintenance: every 2 months.
| Condition / Type | Service Frequency | Notes |
| Standard use (all things equal) | Every 6 months | Typical preventive maintenance schedule |
| High-use setting | Every 3 months | Heavy daily access, e.g., busy restaurants |
| Hot, greasy, or dusty kitchen | Every 2–3 months | Environmental factors increase wear and buildup |
| Display refrigerators / commercial merchandisers | Every 2 months | Frequent customer access requires more frequent maintenance |
Should You Service Your Commercial Fridge After 3 Months or 6 Months?
1. High Usage Intensity (3 Months) vs Low Usage Intensity (6 Months)
For a commercial refrigerator, regular use is about 20–50 door openings/day, and high use is about 100+ openings/day.
- If your commercial fridge goes through 100+ door openings per day or runs near full capacity most of the time, you need to clean and service it more often: ideally, once every 3 months
- For light to moderate daily door openings (20-50), you can clean and service it once every six months. (e.g., small café, office break room, light catering).
In addition to increased wear and tear on the commercial refrigerator, frequent door opening also means exposure to hot kitchens, grease, dust, or frequent loading/unloading. Hence, more servicing is required
2. In Hot, Greasy or Dusty Kitchens (3 Months) vs Cool, Clean Kitchens (6 Months)
If your commercial refrigerator is used in a kitchen that is hot, greasy, you need to service it every 3 months.
- In a hot kitchen, the fridge works harder to stay cold, and its coils clog faster.
- In a greasy kitchen (like in a fry-heavy restaurant), grease usually coats condenser coils and fans, which reduces airflow and efficiency. Hence, they need more frequent servicing.
- In a dusty kitchen environment (think of a bakery or warehouse), dust has the same effect as grease- it blocks coils and filters.
In hot, greasy, or dusty kitchens, your commercial refrigerator may need servicing every 1–3 months, compared to every 6 months in cleaner, cooler settings.
3. Walk-in Commercial Refrigerators (3 Months) vs. Specialty fridges(6 Months)
Some types of commercial refrigerators inherently require more servicing than others because of their design and purpose.
- Walk-in commercial refrigerators are opened less frequently, but run for a long time. It is advisable to service them every 6 months (quarterly if in a hot/greasy/dusty kitchen)
- Reach-in commercial refrigerators are opened more frequently. Service them quarterly (every 3 months) to keep coils, fans, and gaskets in shape.
Commercial display refrigerators and other specialty fridges like Prep tables, undercounter fridges, and display cases are constantly opened by customers. Service these every 2–3 months, since food safety and visibility are critical.
| Type | Usage Characteristics | Service Frequency | Extra Checks |
| Walk-in Coolers/Freezers | Bulk storage, fewer daily openings, and long run times | Every 6 months (quarterly in hot/greasy/dusty settings) | Insulation, door seals, flooring, and fan motors |
| Reach-in Refrigerators/Freezers | Constant daily access, often 100+ door openings/day | Every 3 months | Gaskets, fans, coils, and thermostat accuracy |
| Specialty Fridges (prep tables, undercounters, display fridges) | High visibility, frequent openings, customer-facing | Every 2–3 months | Lighting, prep rail temps, display glass |
4. The Age of the Refrigerator: <7 Years(6 Months) vs >7 Years(3 Months)
If your refrigerator is over 7-8 years old, it will naturally require more servicing than a newer model, especially if you have been using it in the demanding conditions of a commercial kitchen. The following signs indicate that your commercial refrigerator might be old and needs more frequent servicing and maintenance;
- It is breaking down frequently
- It is consuming more electricity, leading to rising energy bills
- It is noisy during operation
- The door seals are worn out and loose
- There is corrosion or rust on the interior surfaces.
Commercial fridges often need more frequent service after 7-8 years. Within the first 5-6 years, you can survive them every 6 months, but after that 7th year, you may need to maintain them more frequently, maybe even every 2months.
Signs Your Commercial Refrigerator Needs More Frequent Servicing
Even if you have a cleaning and servicing, certain warning signs indicate your commercial refrigerator needs more frequent servicing. Here are the top signs that your commercial refrigerator needs servicing, ranked according to urgency:
1. The temperature keeps fluctuating, and the food is not staying cold.
2. There is excessive frost or ice buildup.
3. Strange noises: often buzzing noises, rattling, or clicking noises.
4. Frequent water leakage or clogged drains
5. Energy bills keep rising
6. The doors are not sealing properly. The fridge keeps opening on its own.
If you notice any of these signs, don't wait for the next schedule. Take action immediately. You can start with these 7 maintenance tips for commercial refrigerators.
When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Commercial Refrigerator?
As a rule of thumb, when a commercial refrigerator is about 10-15 years old and past its expected lifespan, it is time to replace it. At this point, it may start breaking down more frequently and require servicing almost every week. Here are some other signs that you need to replace/upgrade your commercial refrigerator:
- Repair costs more than 50% of the replacement cost
- It keeps breaking down despite careful and frequent maintenance
- The temperature fluctuations are starting to threaten food safety
- The increase in energy consumption of the commercial refrigerator becomes unbreakable.
For display refrigerators like deli cases and prep tables, they are sometimes replaced not just for performance but for appearance, customer-facing use, or compliance.
Conclusion
For most businesses, a professional service every six months is the standard, but in busy kitchens or demanding conditions, quarterly maintenance is the smarter choice.
Staying on top of routine servicing not only prevents unexpected breakdowns but also keeps your fridge energy-efficient, food safe, and compliant with health standards. In the long run, regular care is far less costly than emergency repairs or spoiled inventory.
Consider these tips for choosing a commercial reach-in refrigerator for your kitchen.
