Our Planned Maintenance Checklist

In a busy commercial kitchen, there’s so much to keep track of. Restaurants must keep meticulous inventory of produce, proteins, and shelf-stable ingredients. Creating new specials, splitting tips, scheduling shifts, and double-checking payroll are just a few of the responsibilities that restaurateurs are responsible for. In recent years, there’s been even more to be aware of, including creating and maintaining outdoor dining spaces and coordinating with several different food delivery services at once. Amidst all the chaos, regular equipment maintenance can sometimes fall to the bottom of the to-do list.

To help our customers keep on top of these tasks, we created a downloadable checklist that contains all the equipment maintenance tasks you need to do, separated by type of equipment and frequency, for ease of use. We wrote this checklist based on our extensive experience in commercial kitchen repair and our knowledge about how to best maintain your equipment. You can print it out and post it, laminate it and reuse it, and make it a part of your monthly routine. Here’s how to make it work best for you.

RESOURCE: Download Our Planned Maintenance Checklist Here

Let it Guide your Equipment Maintenance Schedule

Our downloadable commercial kitchen maintenance checklist separates tasks into monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual action items in addition to separating them by equipment. The clear layout can help you build an equipment maintenance schedule that is deliberate, manageable, and trackable based on a prescribed timetable.

Make this Checklist a Regular part of your Maintenance Routine

Cleaning ice machines, deep cleaning the oven, changing air and water filters are all necessary upkeep tasks in any restaurant kitchen. In addition to cleaning, a quick visual check of your equipment or a scheduled part replacement can cut down on sudden, unexpected equipment issues. Use this checklist to serve as a guide for the equipment maintenance tasks you can do regularly to keep things running smoothly.

Make Equipment Check-ups Part of Your Monthly Deep Cleans

During your monthly equipment deep clean, take a moment to reference our maintenance checklist for every piece of equipment you touch. Brushing the condenser coils, changing a filter, or clearing a water line can have an impact on the longevity and functioning of your equipment. Even though commercial kitchen equipment is built to withstand heavy use, consistently completing these regular tasks can save you time, money, and energy in the long run.

Use it in Tandem with Planned Quarterly Maintenance

By printing out and laminating this commercial kitchen maintenance checklist, you can use it as a reference for your service technician during your quarterly service visits. While checking off your list, your technician should provide visual confirmation of the multi-step inspections they use on each piece of equipment. They can also note the date that repairs were done or parts were replaced so that you can be aware of the next time you may need to reorder a commonly used part.

Let it Serve As a Living Service Document

This checklist can serve as a living document where updates are noted and tasks are regularly checked off. Outsourcing this data to a checklist can eliminate the need to ask, “When did we last change our filters?” It also prevents you from having to research and list all of the maintenance tasks associated with each piece of restaurant equipment, since they’re all compiled in this easy-to-use reference. Like an oil change sticker, it can serve as a visual reminder of maintenance tasks that may otherwise get lost in the shuffle.

Partner With ATECH To Check Equipment Maintenance Off Your To-Do List

If you run a large commercial kitchen, it’s easy to lose track of all the equipment that needs to be serviced. Unfortunately, maintenance tasks aren’t something that can be delayed indefinitely. Neglected machines have a tendency to break right when they’re needed most. Prevent these unexpected interruptions by scheduling planned maintenance with a trusted commercial kitchen repair partner. To help you keep a regular schedule for servicing your commercial kitchen equipment, reach out to us for a planned maintenance visit today.

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Spring into Cleanliness: Essential Tips for Restaurant Spring Cleaning

By markl • 20 Mar, 2024

As the season changes and springtime blooms, it's the perfect opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate your restaurant space. Spring cleaning isn't just about tidying up; it's about ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for your patrons and staff. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential tips and best practices for restaurant cleanliness in the springtime. Embrace Deep Cleaning : Spring cleaning is the ideal time to tackle those deep cleaning tasks that may have been neglected during the busier seasons. From scrubbing floors and walls to deep cleaning kitchen equipment, thorough sanitation ensures a hygienic environment for food preparation and service. Focus on High-Traffic Areas : Pay special attention to high-traffic areas such as dining areas, restrooms, and entryways. These areas are prone to accumulating dirt, dust, and germs, making regular cleaning essential for maintaining a pristine appearance and preventing the spread of illness. Refresh Outdoor Spaces : If your restaurant has outdoor seating areas, spring is the perfect time to freshen them up. Clean outdoor furniture, sweep away debris, and power wash outdoor surfaces to create an inviting atmosphere for al fresco dining. Check and Replace Equipment Filters : Don't forget to inspect and replace filters in HVAC systems, refrigeration units, and ventilation hoods. Clean filters help maintain air quality and prevent the buildup of contaminants, ensuring a healthy indoor environment for both customers and staff. Engage Staff in Cleaning Initiatives : Encourage staff members to take pride in the cleanliness of the restaurant by involving them in spring cleaning initiatives. Assign specific tasks and provide training on proper cleaning procedures to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Implement Regular Maintenance Schedule : Establish a regular maintenance schedule to keep up with cleaning tasks throughout the year. By incorporating daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routines, you can maintain a high standard of cleanliness and prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime. Invest in Quality Cleaning Products : Choose cleaning products that are effective yet environmentally friendly. Look for products that are certified as safe for use in foodservice establishments and follow manufacturer recommendations for proper application and usage. Monitor and Adjust Cleaning Protocols : Continuously monitor cleaning protocols and adjust as needed based on feedback, customer traffic, and changing regulations. Regular evaluation ensures that your cleaning practices remain effective and in compliance with industry standards. Spring cleaning is an essential aspect of restaurant maintenance that goes beyond just aesthetics. By implementing thorough cleaning routines, engaging staff members, and investing in quality cleaning products, you can create a safe, hygienic environment that enhances the dining experience for your customers and promotes a healthy work environment for your staff. As you embark on your spring cleaning journey, remember that ATECH is here to support you with a wide range of cleaning and maintenance solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of your restaurant. Happy spring cleaning!

Mastering Winter with ATECH: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses

By markl • 26 Jan, 2024

As a restaurant owner or kitchen manager, you know that the equipment in your kitchen is essential to the operations and overall profitability of your business. But do your frontline employees recognize that, too? Your line chefs and dishwashers use your equipment every day, so they're more likely to notice any problems first. That's why it's so important to capture feedback from your frontline staff on the performance of your restaurant equipment. As a trusted commercial kitchen repair service in Tennessee , we’ve had the opportunity to partner with hundreds of restaurants over the years—from nationally recognized chains to local mom-and-pop establishments. We’ve learned that capturing staff feedback on restaurant equipment is not just a good practice—it's a necessity for any successful establishment. In this article, we wanted to shed light on the importance of capturing staff feedback on restaurant equipment. Your employees’ assessments can be used to address problems quickly and make informed decisions about upgrades or replacements. How to Capture Staff Feedback on Restaurant Equipment 1. Recognize and address common pitfalls for reporting issues. Unfortunately, many kitchen managers find that it's difficult to get regular feedback from their staff. There are a few common reasons for this: Lack of time. Frontline staff are often busy and stressed, and they may not have time to provide feedback to their managers. Fear of retaliation. Some employees may be afraid to speak up about problems with equipment for fear that they will be punished or blamed. Lack of trust. Employees may not feel comfortable providing feedback to their managers if they don't trust them to take it seriously. 2. Create a culture of collaborative communication in your kitchen. It's important to create an open and trusting environment where your staff feels comfortable providing feedback. Here are a few tips: Make feedback a priority. Show your staff that you value their feedback by making time to listen to it and taking it seriously. Make it easy to provide feedback. Create a system for staff to submit feedback easily. Let your employees know who is responsible for equipment maintenance so they can notify the appropriate person. Be open to feedback, both positive and negative. It's important to create a culture where staff feel comfortable providing feedback, even if it's negative. Remember, feedback is a gift, and it can help you to improve your operation. If you don’t embrace feedback from employees, they might be less likely to report a faulty piece of equipment. 3. Train new employees to recognize and communicate common issues. Once you've created an environment where staff feel comfortable providing feedback, you need to train employees to recognize common equipment issues . This will help you to identify problems early before they cause major disruptions.Here are a few tips for training your staff: Provide them with a list of common equipment issues. This could include things like strange noises, unusual odors, or reduced performance. Teach them how to inspect equipment for signs of wear and tear . Help them identify potential problems before they cause equipment to break down. Show them how to report equipment issues to you. This could be done through a verbal report, a written report, or a feedback form. 4. Know the important information to capture and have a plan for addressing issues. One of the best ways to ensure problems are addressed quickly and correctly is to capture the information your commercial kitchen technician would need to know . Once you've collected feedback from your staff, you can use it to make informed decisions about equipment upgrades or replacements. As you consider repairing or replacing your kitchen equipment , here are a few things to keep in mind: Identify recurring issues . If multiple staff members are reporting the same problem with a piece of equipment, it's a sign that there is a serious issue. Consider the cost and benefits of repairs. If a piece of equipment is constantly breaking down, it may be more cost-effective to replace it than to keep repairing it. Get feedback from your staff on their needs. When choosing new equipment, ask your staff for input on what features are important to them. This will help you to choose equipment that is both effective and user-friendly. A Trusted Partner to Fix Restaurant Equipment Issues At ATECH, we understand the value of staff feedback in maintaining restaurant equipment and fixing a problem as soon as possible. Our team has the experience and expertise to provide prompt, affordable repair services for all your commercial kitchen equipment . Our commitment to partnering with restaurants across Tennessee goes beyond just servicing equipment. We're here to support you in creating a kitchen that runs smoothly and efficiently through customizable planned maintenance programs. Connect with our team today to create a tailored service plan for your restaurant, franchise, or organization.