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Fridge maintenance

Refrigeration is a fundamental part in any Hub and very important to understand in order to properly cool all products. The technology and operation of refrigerators, freezers, meat chest freezers and overhead cabinets will be explained here in more detail.

General guidelines

  1. The refrigerators are calibrated during the launch and must not be adjusted afterwards.

  2. Ensure the refrigerator doors remain properly closed at all times.

  3. Do not overfill the refrigerators, as this can cause excessive condensation. When stocking the refrigerators, always follow the guidelines on the facing sheet.

  4. Each refrigerator must be plugged into a separate outlet to prevent overloading.

  5. If you notice excess water on the floor near the refrigerator, the condensed water container may need to be emptied manually. For instructions, refer to the dropdown section on Removing condensed water.

Reporting a refrigerator issue

If the refrigerator is defective, notify your Hub Manager. They will open a Zendesk ticket with the following details:

  • Hub code

  • Hub Manager's contact information

  • Type of refrigeration equipment

  • Model name

  • Serial number

  • Shelf number

  • A detailed description of the issue

Important:

Hub Managers are not authorized to assign technicians for repairs; this must be done through the ticketing system.

Instructions

Maintenance of GGG refrigerators

Control pannel and functions

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Error codes and other issues

Error codes: definitions

  • dA: the door is open

  • EA / CA: external alarm

  • HA: maximum temperature has been reached

  • LA: lowest temperature has been reached

  • P1: temperature sensor is broken or not connected

Other issues

  • Fridge is not cooling at all:

    • The unit is in the defrosting process ("dEF" appears in the display).

    • Main switch is off ("OFF" appears in the display).

  • Fridge is not cooling enough:

    • Fridge is too full and the circulation is not working properly.

    • The doors are open too long or too often.

    • The compressor is too dusty / dirty.

  • P1 error: check if the cable has come loose:

    1. At the bottom of the refrigerator, unscrew the front cover and pull it up to open it.

    2. Check if the white cable is plugged into the system attached to the cover. If not, plug it back in correctly.
      ​

      Important:

      If the cable is too short, loosen the cable tie further back.

    3. Reattach the cover and screw it in place.
      ​

  • The door no longer closes because the cable is broken:

    1. Order the cable via Coupa.

    2. Cut the cable to a length of 83 cm.
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    3. Install the cable:

      1. Equipment needed:

        • Hammer

        • Screwdriver

        • Spike plier

        • Rectangular piece of wood
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          ​

          Note:

          Spike pliers can also be replaced by other small pliers.

    4. Steps:

      • Remove the door from the rail by pulling it upward and place it on the floor in front of the refrigerator.

      • Remove the torn cable from the top-left side of the door.

      • Remove the metal panel from the door's track.
        ​

      • On the bottom-left, pull the cable under the weight.

      • Attach the new cable to the weight and pull it through the guide roller. Use pliers to help.
        ​

      • Connect the other rope to the door.

      • Place the door back in the rail.

      • Insert the panel back with the help of a small piece of wood.

Maintenance of all refrigerators

Preventing excessive condensation

Overloading refrigerators or high external temperatures can lead to excess condensation. To prevent this, follow these control measures:

  • Ensure the drain at the bottom of the refrigerator is clear and unobstructed by goods.

  • Avoid storing outer cartons or cardboard at the bottom of the refrigerator, as these materials can block airflow and worsen condensation.

  • Regularly check the water collection tank to ensure it is not full.

Important:

If there is excessive condensation, the water collection container may overflow. This could trigger a safety feature, causing the refrigerator to shut down.

Note:

If the refrigerator shuts down due to this issue, it will not restart automatically. You will need to manually reset it by unplugging and plugging it back in.

Switching off the inner light

  1. In order to be able to make further savings in the energy sector, the cooling units are used without light, provided that the structural conditions on site allow this.

    1. GGG refrigerators have one or sometimes 2 light switches on the right side, which can be switched off.

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2. Tefcold / Nordcap has its light switch in the lower part of the unit next to the display. This can be the case on the left or on the right.

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3. TK - Chests & TK Superstructures each have 2 plugs on the unit. One is for the light and one for the power of the motor. There is no switch here, just unplug the plug for the light from the power.

Note:

There are a few models that do not correspond to these two described. Here you cannot turn off the light separately.

Switching off the refrigerators

  1. Unfortunately, refrigerators, regardless of the manufacturer, can not be switched off via the display. Therefore, there is only the following option:

  2. Remove the device from the power supply via plug.

Important:

Please be careful not to accidentally disconnect the wrong or other additional devices due to multiple sockets.

Removing condensed water

Maintenance overview

  • Frequency: 1-6 times per week

  • Assigned staff: all hub employees

  • Equipment needed:

    • Suction bottle or electrical pump
      ​

    • Mop or wet vacuum cleaner
      ​

How to remove condensed water

  1. Move the fridges to access the water buckets.

  2. Use a suction bottle, electrical pump or wet vacuum cleaner to pump out the condensed water.

  3. If there's water on the floor, remove it with a mop or wet vacuum cleaner.

General maintenance

Maintenance overview

  • Frequency: 3 times per week and as required

  • Assigned staff: all hub employees

  • Equipment needed:

    • Hand vacuum cleaner or mini sweeping set
      ​

    • Green microfiber cloth and sponge
      ​

    • Desinfectant cleaner
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How to maintain the fridge clean

  1. Sweep or vacuum heavy dirt and food residue (for example, withered vegetable leaves) from the shelves, rails and bottom of the fridge.

  2. Wipe away spills and sticky spots with the disinfectant cleaner, then rinse the area with clean water.

Deep cleaning the product and employee fridges

Maintenance overview

  • Frequency:

    • Product fridges: once a week

    • Employee fridge: once a month

  • Assigned shift team: internal cleaning shift

  • Equipment needed:

    • Hand vacuum cleaner or mini sweeping set
      ​

    • Employee fridge: yellow microfiber cloth and sponge
      ​

    • Product fridges: Green microfiber cloth and sponge
      ​

    • Defroster
      ​

    • Desinfectant cleaner
      ​

How to deep clean the product and employee fridges

Preparation:

  1. Empty both the fridge and freezer compartments.

  2. If possible, store the food in another fridge with the same temperature range. Alternatively, move the goods inside the fridge or freezer.
    ​Tip: Take a photo of the contents before moving products, to make it easier to restore the original arrangement afterward.

  3. For fridges with a freezer compartment, unplug the fridge. For fridges without them, leave them plugged in.

Cleaning the freezer compartment:

  1. Remove and clean the racks using desinfectant cleaner, then rinse with clean water.

  2. Spray the compartment with defrosting spray. Wait for the ice to start melting.

  3. Remove the ice using one or a combination of the following methods:
    ​

    1. Loosen the ice with a blunt object.

    2. Leave the compartment door open and let it defrost naturally (for example, overnight).

  4. Absorb the melted ice with towels.

  5. Wipe down the compartment and the rubber seals with desinfectant cleaner, followed by clean water.

  6. Let the compartment dry completely.

Cleaning the fridge compartment:

  1. Remove food residue and leftover packaging using a broom and dustpan for food, or a hand vacuum cleaner.

  2. Remove and clean the racks:

    1. Place them under running water and scrub with the desinfectant cleaner, then rinse.

    2. Alternatively, wipe with a sponge or cloth, followed by clean water.

  3. Clean the walls and rubber seals with a sponge/cloth and desinfectant cleaner. Rinse with clean water.

  4. Let the compartment dry completely.

Final steps:

  1. If you unplugged the fridge, plug it back in.

  2. Return the food to the fridge.

  3. Wipe down the fridge exterior.

Disposing of goods from employee fridges

Maintenance overview

  • Frequency: once a week on Fridays

  • Assigned staff: Shift Lead

How to dispose of goods from employee fridges

  1. Inspect the employee fridges for non-palatable or expired food or drinks.

  2. Colect these items and dispose of them properly.

Cleaning behind and under the fridges

Maintenance overview

  • Frequency: twice per quarter

  • Assigned shift team: internal cleaning shift and external Cleaner

  • Equipment needed:

    • Broom and brush set or sweeper set
      ​

Cleaning behind and under the fridges

Important:

This process must be done before the external Cleaner comes in for their shift.

  1. Move all the fridges to access hard-to-reach areas.

  2. Sweep out dirt and debris from under and behind the fridges and dispose of it.

  3. Once the external cleaner mops the floor and it fully dries, return the fridges to their original position.

FAQ

Why is it important?

  • All refrigerators, etc. must always be properly adjusted to guarantee a suitable cooling function of the products.

  • The cold chain of the products can thus be guaranteed and their spoilage is prevented.

  • When the coolers are fully functional, the inbound of the products can be smooth and the products are in the right shelves so that the picking process cannot be disturbed.

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