11/07/2026
Industrial Freezer Call-Out – The Importance of Defrosting ❄️
We were recently called out to an industrial freezer in a school canteen after being asked to attend before the unit had been fully defrosted.
One of the first things we recommend when a freezer isn’t performing correctly is carrying out a complete defrost. Excessive ice build-up around the evaporator coil can restrict airflow and eventually prevent the evaporator fan motor from operating efficiently. Without sufficient airflow across the evaporator, the cabinet will struggle to maintain temperature, even though the refrigeration system itself may still be functioning correctly.
Following inspection, we also found that the door gasket had come away from the door. A damaged or loose seal allows warm, moisture-laden air to enter the cabinet, which significantly increases frost formation on the evaporator. Over time, this can overwhelm the unit’s defrost cycle, leading to excessive ice build-up, restricted airflow, reduced cooling performance, increased energy consumption, and unnecessary service call-outs.
This is a good example of why a full defrost should always be carried out before an engineer is called whenever possible. It allows the refrigeration system to be assessed under normal operating conditions and often helps identify the root cause of the fault, rather than just the symptoms.
Routine maintenance, checking door gaskets, and ensuring doors close correctly are simple preventative measures that can improve efficiency, reduce energy costs, and extend the lifespan of commercial refrigeration equipment.
For refrigeration servicing, fault finding, and preventative maintenance, feel free to get in touch.
