If you own a commercial kitchen that specializes in serving fried or steamed food to its customers, you should know that the commercial food steamer is the most important appliance you have. It is designed to prepare multiple types of foods, allowing you to serve more customers while maintaining consistency. However, commercial food steamers tend to run into problems that could be frustrating for the business and the staff, especially if they do not know what is the root cause of the problem. This is one of the reasons hiring commercial kitchen appliance repair services is so important. To help fix and prevent that, below are some common commercial food steamer problems for you to become familiar with and tackle head-on.
Commercial Food Steamer Won’t Turn On
Although it is a rare occurrence, still, you should be prepared for even the smallest of issues. If your commercial steamer is not turning on all of a sudden, it could mean several different problems. First, you need to check the power cord to see if there are any cracks or damages.
The reason is that an old food steamer with time will most probably have jingled-up wires that could break down. If the wires, especially the power cord happen to be cracked or damaged, it could lead to power interruption. As a result, the steamer will not turn on.
In this case, you will need to find the replacement cord. On the other hand, you should also check the power supply. Try plugging some other device into the socket to see if it turns on. If the device turns on, it means the steamer is the problem but if it doesn’t, it means the power socket is the issue.
Fortunately, replacing the power socket is easy as you can simply purchase a new piece from the local supermarket and install it on your own using a screwdriver. In addition to that, if your commercial steamer does not show any signs at all, you will need to check the circuit breaker for any blown fuses.
Fuses are electronic safety devices that shut down the power supply if there is a surge. As a result, the fuse blows while protecting the equipment from expensive damage. Try replacing the fuse to see if it helps the steamer turn on back again.
Commercial Food Steamer Is Not Making Any Steam
There are many types of steamers out there including the type that uses water to produce steam. The problem with these steamers is sometimes they are not able to produce any steam usually because of water supply issues.
The first thing you will need to check in this case is the water supply. It might be that something has clogged the main pipe or the water inlet valve has malfunctioned. It could be that someone accidentally turned the valve to the off position, shutting down the water supply.
If that is not the case, you will need to check the line strainer for any clogs. It is usually located at the base of the steamer preventing solids and particles from entering the generator. With time, the strainer could become clogged making it difficult for the steamer to fill up with water. The best way to fix or prevent such issues, to begin with, is to regularly maintain and clean the steamer.
The Filter Is Clogged
For the food steamer to prepare high-quality meals, it needs to stop foreign particles from entering and mixing with the meals. This could affect the taste, quality, and appearance of the final product. This is why commercial steamers tend to have filters installed.
These filters can easily become clogged if the steamer is used on a daily basis. Luckily, cleaning the filters is not at all difficult as it can be accessed using the user manual and replaced within no time. The filters may appear to be a small component but have a huge impact on the quality of the meals prepared.
The last thing you would want is the customer leaving with a negative review of the food being not only bad in taste but also quality.
Broken Thermostat
A thermostat serves as the brain of the commercial food steamer. It is designed to keep track of the temperature outside while allowing the users to adjust the temperature of the steaming process inside. If the thermostat tends to malfunction due to some reason, it will need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, thermostats cannot be repaired and even if someone claims to do it for you, there is no guarantee it will work for long. To find a replacement, you should contact the manufacturer. Thermostats may appear the same but function differently based on the type and model of the steamer.
Therefore, if you cannot find a replacement, opt for an aftermarket thermostat but make sure to calibrate it before using the steamer. Thermostat problems are common in deep fryers as well so contact a deep fryer repair Clifton technician for thermostat calibration or replacement.
Lack Of Maintenance
Lack of maintenance is not a problem with the steamer itself but it’s a responsibility that often turns into laziness and ignorance by the business owners. Commercial food steamers like other commercial appliances need regular maintenance.
Training your employees to clean the steamer inside out at the end of each working day is one thing but scheduling professional maintenance is another. Professional maintenance goes deep inside the unit and is not just limited to cleaning but also identifying any problematic parts.
Such services tend to be a bit expensive but you should consider them as an investment. The reason is that you will be paying to keep future problems at bay. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the steamer going out of service just when you need it the most.
How To Find The Right Expert?
When it comes to finding the right expert for performing maintenance on your commercial equipment, you need to do your research and find someone qualified enough to do the job. The best way is to ask your competitors to recommend or refer someone.
On the other hand, you should search for companies that offer such services and go through the reviews and portfolios. If possible, try visiting their shops personally. Once you have gathered multiple options in hand, shortlist the ones that are licensed and certified by the state to perform maintenance procedures. Negotiate the prices and choose the right services.
Conclusion
Commercial food steamers can run into many problems. You can avoid many by daily cleaning and general maintenance, but for many others, you need help from a commercial appliances repair Fairfax expert. Make sure to perform regular inspections and maintenance of the steamer coupled with professional care as well. Commercial food steamers are made to last years before needing a replacement. And, it completely lies on you as to how much time and effort you put into keeping things running smoothly.
