Buying A Used Commercial Freezer For Your Commercial Kitchen Or Food Business
Posted on: 28 May 2021
Food service businesses have some special appliance requirements that they must comply with, so buying used equipment is sometimes more difficult than new ones. A used stainless steel three-door freezer might be less expensive than a new one, but if you are going to go that route, you need to check the freezer over well to ensure it is a good value.
Clean And Maintained
Anytime you are buying used appliances for your kitchen or food service business, it is essential to check to see that the appliances were cleaned and maintained well by the previous owner. A used stainless steel three-door freezer may look great on the surface, but it is important to look at coils and the compressor on the freezer before you buy it.
If the freezer coils and compressor are clogged with dust and dirt from neglect, you could be looking at a freezer that will need some work to be dependable and stand up to daily use in your business. You want to have an appliance repair service look it over to ensure that the freezer is mechanically sound if you can work that out.
Check the seals sound the doors for food or dirt that may be stuck in the gaps between the sealing surfaces. Also, look at the inside of the unit, inspecting it for anything that doesn't look right. If there is mold or mildew inside the freezer, it is probably better to pass on it and find one in better shape.
You may want to ask the seller if they have any maintenance records for the appliance so that you can get a better idea of what regular maintenance was done on the freezer before it went up for sale.
Dents And Dings
When you are looking over a used stainless steel three-door freezer for damage, you may find minor dents and dings on the surface of the panels. These dents are okay as long as they are not creased.
Stainless steel is used on these appliances because it is smooth and will not trap food or bacteria, and is easy to clean. The health inspector could consider a used freezer with a dent with a crease a safety concern because food and bacteria can get trapped in the crease.
Appliance Dealers
Shopping for used stainless steel three-door freezers on your own can be challenging, so you may want to look for a commercial appliance dealer. If you let the dealer know what appliances you need for your business, they can look for one or may have one in stock already.
Sometimes the cost will be slightly higher through an appliance dealer, but the appliance's condition is typically better. In some cases, you may even get a warranty with the appliance.
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