Running a commercial kitchen comes with its fair share of pressure. You can’t afford to have your combi oven fail during a Friday dinner rush or your fridge give out overnight. That’s where regular servicing plays a key role.
Partnering with a professional catering equipment engineer in Sussex ensures your appliances keep running efficiently and safely.
Ignoring your service schedule could mean facing sudden breakdowns, reduced appliance lifespan, or failed inspections. To avoid the stress and cost of last-minute repairs, let’s explore how often your kitchen equipment needs expert attention.
General Servicing Frequency: What the Industry Recommends
Every kitchen runs differently, but most catering equipment benefits from servicing at least twice a year. Engineers catch faults early and carry out performance checks to keep everything compliant. Here’s a general guide to follow:
- Gas and electric cooking appliances: Every 6 months
- Combi ovens and steamers: Quarterly
- Refrigeration units: Annually
- Dishwashers and glasswashers: Twice a year
- Extraction systems: At least once a year (or more for high-use kitchens)
Stick to a schedule that reflects how hard your equipment works. High-volume kitchens may need more frequent servicing to stay safe and efficient.
Servicing Needs by Equipment Type
Different appliances require different attention. Knowing the specifics can help you plan a smarter maintenance routine.
- Grills and fryers work with high heat and grease: Schedule quarterly servicing.
- Combi ovens deal with steam and scale: Book descaling and sensor checks every 3–4 months.
- Fridges and freezers seem low-maintenance but require annual inspections for airflow, fans and seals.
- Dishwashers accumulate limescale fast: Bi-annual cleaning and inspection prevent costly repairs.
Work closely with a trusted catering equipment engineer to tailor this to your kitchen setup.
What Affects Your Servicing Frequency?
Not all kitchens need the same routine. Certain factors can increase how often you’ll need an engineer.
- Usage intensity: A small café won’t wear out appliances like a high-street restaurant.
- Menu type: Greasy or grilled food adds strain on extractors and fryers.
- Kitchen environment: Poor ventilation speeds up equipment fatigue.
- Local authority checks: Stay ahead of compliance with proactive maintenance.
- Manufacturer’s warranty: Regular service often keeps your coverage valid.
Why Regular Servicing Matters?
Ignoring small issues often leads to major problems. Servicing isn’t just about fixing. It’s also about preventing.
- Reduced energy bills through better efficiency
- Fewer emergency call-outs and costly breakdowns
- Longer equipment lifespan
- Food hygiene and safety compliance
- Better kitchen performance during peak hours
A reliable catering equipment engineer helps you maintain a productive, safe and profitable kitchen setup.
Build a Smart Servicing Schedule
Planning saves money and stress. Most catering businesses work with engineers to create a service calendar that fits their operations.
Here’s how to stay on top:
- Set quarterly or bi-annual reminders
- Group service checks during quiet periods
- Log maintenance digitally for easy tracking
- Arrange deep cleans before festive seasons or summer rushes
Consistent servicing gives your kitchen a serious advantage. If you need an experienced catering equipment engineer in Sussex, it’s best to choose someone who understands commercial kitchen demands. For reliable support and tailored servicing plans, you can always reach out to AWS Catering & Refrigeration. Contact us now.