How to Maintain your Refrigerator Gaskets:
Tips for maintaining your refrigerator gaskets:
The most important thing you can do to maintain your refrigerator gaskets is to clean them regularly, ideally after every shift in a commercial kitchen. Over time, spills in the kitchen can coat the gaskets with dirt and grease thereby causing interrupted contact with the surface and thereby the seal. Smooth contact is needed for the gasket to form an air-tight seal with the door.
Do’s:
- Do use a sponge or cloth to wipe down gaskets regularly
- Only use warm water and dish detergent or a solution of water and baking soda. This has an anti-bacteria component that can easily remove the dirt and grease from the gaskets.
- Make sure to run the sponge or cloth gently down the whole surface of the gaskets making sure to get in between the troughs/folds where dirt and grease can build-up.
- The area around gaskets are a potential hotbed for mold and mildew due to the moisture inside the refrigerator and warm air outside. Thus, it is important to clean this immediately when seen to avoid any damage to the gaskets and/or food safety issues.
Dont’s:
- Do not use abrasive materials or sharp objects, it can harm or tear your gaskets
- Do not use all-purpose cleaners, strong detergents, or bleach, it can make gaskets hard and brittle.
- Do not remove the gasket from the door when cleaning, it can loosen the seal on the door
- Do not clean using a dishwasher and avoid placing the equipment near a frying station, the high temperature can distort and shrink the gaskets over time
*Remember the key to proper maintenance is to clean gaskets regularly and schedule inspections quarterly