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Last Call: ATECH's Top Blog Posts of 2023 for Commercial Kitchen Equipment Repair
Dec 20, 2023

The year's almost over, and while the dining room might be echoing with "last call" for orders, we're here with a different kind of final shout: one for your commercial kitchen equipment repair and maintenance needs. It's that time when we pull up a metaphorical stool at the bar, inviting you to join us in a reflective toast to the exceptional year that was 2023. From tackling hundreds of service calls across Tennessee to gathering with friends and industry peers at RFMA and welcoming numerous new team members, it’s been another hallmark year for our team.


At ATECH, we've been more than your go-to commercial kitchen equipment repair and maintenance experts—we've been your culinary confidantes, sharing insights, tips, and tricks to elevate your kitchen game. This blog post is our curated collection of the top-notch insights and articles that resonated most with restaurant owners and kitchen managers throughout the year. 


To help, we’ve broken them down into different categories based on your needs, questions, or concerns: 


Commercial Kitchen Equipment Troubleshooting Insights


Repair or Replace? The Ultimate Guide for Commercial Kitchen Equipment — No more guesswork! Make an informed call and ensure your kitchen investment delivers maximum value. This post is your ultimate decision-making tool as we delve into the crucial factors to consider, including your equipment’s age, repair costs, and warranty options.


What to Do if Your Commercial Ice Maker Stops Working — This post dives deep into diagnosing common ice maker woes, from simple fixes like checking the water filter to troubleshooting more complex electrical or mechanical issues. Learn to identify the culprit and get your ice production back on track in no time.


How to Know if Your Commercial Dishwasher Isn’t Working Properly
— This guide unveils the subtle signs that your dishwasher might be underperforming, even if it's seemingly getting the job done. From excessive noise and lingering odors to cloudy dishes and improper draining, discover how to spot the red flags before they become full-blown disasters.


What to Do if Your Commercial Dishwasher Stops Working
— Once you’ve noticed your dishes aren’t getting cleaned, this post is your roadmap to dishwasher resuscitation. We walk you through a step-by-step process for troubleshooting common breakdowns.


What to Do if Your Refrigerator or Freezer Temperature is Out of Range
— This post equips you to handle the chilling crisis of fluctuating fridge or freezer temperatures. We'll explore potential causes and guide you through practical steps to diagnose and repair the issue.


Insights for Restaurant Kitchen Operations and Safety
 


Who is Responsible for Commercial Kitchen Equipment Maintenance
— Not sure who to call when your kitchen equipment stops working? Save yourself from finger-pointing and equipment meltdowns, and learn how to foster a culture of shared responsibility in your kitchen.


Safety Tips for Working with a Commercial Deep Fryer
— This post is your fryer safety bible, packed with essential tips to avoid burns, splashes, and kitchen fires. Learn proper techniques and the crucial tips for safe deep-frying.


Cleaning Chemicals Every Commercial Kitchen Needs in Stock
— Cleaning a commercial kitchen isn't just about wiping down counters. This post unveils the essential cleaning chemicals every kitchen should have in its arsenal and tips on safe handling and proper application for sparkling results. 


When is the Right Time to Switch from Heat to Air Conditioning
? — Keep your staff cool, your food fresh, and your energy bills in check with this timely guide. This post helps you master the art of temperature control by exploring key factors to help you decide when to switch from relying on the kitchen's residual heat to cranking up the AC. 


Cooling Down Your Commercial Kitchen in the Summer
— This post is your summer survival kit! In it, we share practical tips and tricks to help you beat the heat and maintain a comfortable work environment. 


Working in the Industry 


How to Begin Training for a Career in Commercial Kitchen Equipment Repair
— This post is your roadmap to becoming a commercial kitchen equipment repair technician! We'll explore the essential skills and qualifications you need, along with training pathways and apprenticeship programs.


7 Reasons ATECH Hires Veterans
— More than just fixing equipment, ATECH is committed to empowering veterans. This post delves into the seven powerful reasons why we actively recruit and hire veterans, from their unwavering work ethic and technical expertise to their leadership skills and dedication to serving their community.


A Closer Look at ATECH’s Technician and HVAC Apprenticeship Program
—  This post takes you behind the scenes of our unique Technician and HVAC Apprenticeship Program. We'll explore the hands-on training, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement possibilities that await aspiring kitchen equipment repair professionals. 


Make ATECH Your “First Call” for Your Equipment Repair Needs


As we raise our glasses in appreciation for 2023, we extend heartfelt thanks to all the ATECH team members, customers, and industry peers who helped make it possible. 


We invite you to remember that ATECH is always your "first call" for all your commercial kitchen equipment needs. With our
96% first-call repair accuracy and a 90-day written warranty on all our work, you can rest assured you're in good hands. 


So whether you're facing a fryer fiasco or a fridge malfunction, remember: ATECH is just a call away.
Contact our team today, and let's get your kitchen back on track, ready to conquer the culinary challenges of 2024 and beyond.

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!
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.
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