Commercial Refrigeration Problems & Expert Solutions from Catercall
Well-maintained refrigeration is the backbone of a successful commercial kitchen and successful catering. Whether you're storing fresh ingredients, prepping chilled items, or presenting food to customers, performance and efficiency matter. At Catercall, we combine technical expertise, fast-response repair services, and long-term maintenance to keep your refrigeration running smoothly. Key factors for optimal refrigeration performance include proper appliance location, suitability to task, temperature control, ingredient segregation, and hygiene management.
Refrigeration Services
Working in partnership with suppliers and designers, Catercall offers installation, planned maintenance, refrigeration repair, refrigeration maintenance, and a wealth of experience. As an independent service provider, we deliver product knowledge and budget-friendly solutions tailored to your specific appliance performance needs. With Catercall, you can ensure your refrigeration systems are always operating at their best.
Our refrigeration services include:
Reactive Repair Services
Unexpected refrigeration issues can disrupt your kitchen operations. Catercall provides emergency and reactive repair services to address faults quickly and efficiently. Our team of skilled technicians is equipped to handle everything from compressor re-gassing to door seal replacements, ensuring minimal downtime for your business.
Planned Refrigeration Maintenance
Regular maintenance is key to prolonging the life of your refrigeration units and ensuring consistent performance. Catercall offers annual maintenance services that include performance inspections, hygiene inspection and management, and component part replacements. Our maintenance plans are designed to prevent issues before they arise, saving you time and money in the long run. Learn more about our Planned Preventative Maintenance here.
Comprehensive Installation
Catercall ensures that your refrigeration appliances are installed correctly and efficiently, suitable for your specific kitchen requirements. Our experienced team can assist with FGas manifest and compliance management. We work closely with suppliers and designers to guarantee that each installation is tailored to your needs, optimising appliance location and functionality.
Performance Optimisation
We help optimise the performance of your refrigeration units through regular inspections and fault rectification. Catercall’s services include digital temperature monitoring, evaporator cleansing, and condensation draining to ensure your systems operate at peak efficiency.
Catercall is your go-to partner for ensuring top-tier refrigeration performance in your kitchen. Our extensive range of services is designed to keep your refrigeration systems running smoothly, maintaining the highest standards of food safety and efficiency. Contact us today for your refrigeration needs.
Common Refrigeration Issues – What Are the Most Searched Problems?
Our expert team are experienced to help with a wide range of refrigeration issues, and have experience with upright fridge and freezers, undercounter fridge and freezers, coldroom appliances, ice makers, chiller displays, blast chillers, multi-tired refrigerated and chest freezers. Some common refrigeration issues that we have encountered, and their solutions are:
Why is my commercial fridge not cooling properly?
When your upright fridge or undercounter unit isn’t holding temperature, start by checking:
Power supply - does the fridge knowingly have power?
Controller settings (Should be set between 2°C and 4°C)
Are there any Fault codes on the digital display?
Dirty condenser coils or blocked airflow
Compressor or fan motor issues
If you're unsure, our emergency repair service can help diagnose and resolve the issue fast.
What temperature should a commercial freezer be set at?
For best performance, your freezer should maintain between -18°C to -21°C. If it’s not reaching this, the likely causes include:
Ambient kitchen heat
Damaged door gaskets
Low refrigerant levels (e.g. R404a, R448a, or R452a)
Failed components like TEVs or probes
How do I change the temperature set point on my fridge controller?
Digital controllers from Elliwell, Dixell, or LAE require:
Holding the “SET” button until the display flashes
Adjusting using arrow keys
Pressing “SET” again to confirm
Need assistance with your controller? Our engineers provide support during planned maintenance visits.
Why is my ice machine not making ice?
If your ice maker (e.g. Hoshizaki, Scotsman, or Brema) stops producing ice, it could be due to:
Scale build-up on evaporators
Dirty water filters or pumps
Overheating from blocked condensers
Lack of sanitisation
What components often fail in commercial refrigeration?
Key refrigeration components include:
Compressors
Evaporator coils and fan motors
Expansion valves and TEVs
Solenoid valves
Condensate pumps
Probes (NTC/PTC)
We service systems from major brands like Fosters, Williams, Polar, True, Adande, and many more.
Refrigeration Fundamentals: Why Maintenance Matters
Maintaining commercial refrigeration goes beyond compliance — it ensures quality, hygiene, and energy efficiency. Key success factors include:
Correct appliance positioning
Suitability to the intended task
Proper temperature control
Safe ingredient segregation
Thorough hygiene management
Partner with Catercall to ensure your refrigeration systems meet the highest standards.
Industries We Support
We work across the UK with:
Whether you need a kitchen equipment contractor, catering equipment repair, or gas safe engineer, Catercall is here to help. Contact us today for fast, professional service.
