Condensation build up can pose a problem for commercial display fridges. When the “dew point” increases and the air cannot hold any more water, droplets of water begin to condense. You may see this as droplets dripping from the ceiling of your unit, pooling at the bottom, or fogging up your glass.
Condensation can build up both inside and outside of your display fridge. It’s important to learn what may be causing the condensation on your display fridge. It could point to a faulty part in your refrigerator, or it may also point to more sinister problems in your building, such as mould, water damage, paint peeling, wood rotting, or a leak. All of which contribute to higher humidity inside your building.
What causes condensation in commercial fridges, and how do you fix it?
Defroster
Refrigerators periodically have to go through a defrost cycle which removes any built up frost around the evaporator and cooling coils. A malfunctioning defroster won’t be able to effectively melt excess frost build up. The ever building ice will eventually block airflow and stop the refrigerator from being able to cool down entirely. This will increase the temperature of your unit and may contribute to condensation build up. If you suspect a problem with your defroster, you may need to contact an experienced technician to repair it.
Temperature controls
Make sure your temperature controls are set to the correct temperature and humidity level. A faulty thermostat or temperature controller can cause increased heat and humidity inside your fridge or freezer. A functioning thermostat senses the temperature of your cooling coils and sends a message to the defroster to periodically defrost any built up ice. If you notice that your refrigerator refuses to defrost, or that the humidity inside the fridge has increased, you may have a faulty thermostat.
Condenser
If the condenser coils get too dirty, the compressor will have to run constantly, which can increase moisture build up in the refrigerator. Clean and dust the condenser coils at least once every 6 months.
Blocked freezer drain
If the freezer drain is blocked by food debris or a build up of ice, melted water could be settling in the fridge. You can clear this blockage using a thin straw or cotton bud. The drain may also struggle to get rid of excess water if your fridge is not level on the floor. Check the angle of your fridge with a spirit level or with an app on your smartphone. The fridge or freezer may be sitting askew which is not allowing the water to flow into the drain. Assuming the floor is level, simply adjust the two front floor screws by a couple of turns to raise your fridge up.
Broken gaskets
The internal temperature of a commercial refrigerator can be affected by broken rubber door gaskets or door seals. Rubber gaskets on refrigerators easily get dirty, brittle, and bent out of shape. This allows cold air to slowly and subtly seep out of the refrigerator and will likely cause a condensation problem. And all that lost power will be a waste of money too. Commercial fridges in busy kitchens are constantly being used, which damages door seals over time, and also allows warm, humid air into the unit. This can affect food quality and allow condensation to build up. Make sure doors are closing properly and door seals are in tip top shape.
Hot food
Placing food that is still steaming hot inside your glass door refrigerator can increase the temperature and cause condensation build up on the inside of your glass doors. It’s safe to let food hot food sit at room temperature for up to an hour, so let your hot food cool down for a while before putting it into the fridge.
Wet produce
Storing wet fruit or vegetables inside your refrigerator can increase the moisture and humidity of your unit. This can cause condensation to build and water to pool at the bottom of your fridge. Wet produce also causes food to spoil faster.
Position of your display fridge
Something to consider is the placement of your commercial refrigerator. Is it placed next to another appliance that gets very hot, such as a stove or oven? Is the overall temperature of the room too hot and humid? Is the refrigerator standing in direct sunlight? Carefully balancing the air conditioning inside your building and the internal temperature of your commercial refrigerator is crucial. It’s especially important for businesses in more humid climates to ensure all excess moisture has been removed from the air. This can be achieved through air conditioners, dehumidifying units, and keeping the windows of your building closed if possible.
There are cases where condensation buildup on glass display fridges may be difficult to avoid. Novachill's commercial
display fridges are equipped with heated glass doors that eliminate all condensation on the glass and stop them from fogging up. This is important as you want customers to see the items you have on display clearly.
Too much inside the refrigerator
An overpacked fridge can impede airflow throughout the unit. Vents in different compartments of your commercial refrigerator can become blocked if too many items have been packed in tight. If this is the case, it will be a struggle for cold air to circulate the entire fridge evenly and effectively. As a result, moisture levels will increase causing condensation build up. Keep your display fridges clutter free and make sure all the items within your display fridge are lined neatly and evenly along the shelves, allowing for maximum airflow.
Commercial refrigerator maintenance
Ultimately, you want to make sure that all parts of your commercial display fridge are working properly. This will ensure stable temperature management of your display fridge, reducing condensation and other problems down the line. It’s always a good idea to have an experienced technician inspect your commercial fridge and make any necessary repairs.
