Commercial food steamers are the lifeline of fast-food businesses. These machines are specifically designed to steam multiple batches of food items at the same time, reducing delivery time. Commercial food steamers are typically found in commercial settings, such as restaurants and hospitals, where supply and demand must be matched on a daily basis. But, like other commercial appliances, food steamers are also prone to problems, for which you need commercial appliances repair services. Let’s take a look at some probable causes along with troubleshooting tips.
Check The Pilot Light
If your commercial food steamer runs on gas, the first thing you will need to check is the pilot light. If there is a problem with the pilot light, the steamer will not produce steam. If the pilot light happens to be off, the steamer will not work. This is because commercial food steamers are turned off at the end of the business day or during long breaks. Try turning on the pilot light to see if it produces steam again.
But, if you observe that the pilot light fails to turn on, it could be due to a pilot light issue, a clogged pilot light orifice, or a faulty thermocouple, combined with several other reasons. This is why your second-best guess should be the gas supply. You should check the pipes connecting the main supply to the steamer.
With time, these plastic pipes tend to crack, causing leakage and also raising the risk of a fire hazard. At the same time, you should also know that newer models of commercial food streams do not come with a pilot light in many cases. These steamers have direct ignition to light the burners.
So, if the pilot light is missing, you will need to check the ignitor.
Check The Gas Supply
Before you curse at your food steamer, you should know that the gas supply in some regions can also be the reason behind malfunctioning. Since gas food steamers solely rely on gas and require a specific pressure to be able to produce steam, you cannot expect the steamer to perform at lower gas pressures.
Apart from checking the pipes for cracks, you should also check for bends that might be blocking the gas. Similarly, you should also check the gas valve. If it’s turned off, turn it on. A partially opened valve can also stop the gas from reaching the steamer.
If nothing else works, you might need to check the gas valve. If the gas valve fails to open and close as required, it means it is faulty and needs to be replaced. At this point, you will need to consult an expert who will perform a thorough inspection and replace the part.
Excessive Scale Buildup
Since commercial food steamers produce steam to cook food, limescale buildup is a natural byproduct of the process. But what is not normal is ignoring the buildup, which can cause several problems, such as less or no steam production. It is important that limescale buildup is removed to ensure the steamer functions without any problems.
At the same time, you should also check for water supply problems. In addition to gas, food steamers also require water to produce steam. If the water supply line is kinked, clogged, or off, you will need to check the water connection. If there are any cracks or bends, you will need to fix them or replace the pipe.
Door Gasket Leaks
A worn door gasket is another potential problem that can make it appear as if the steamer is not producing any steam, as the steam is leaking. You might have observed that the doors of commercial food steamers have gaskets and seals on the inside that help the door close tightly.
These gaskets and seals ensure there are no gaps allowing the steam to escape. With time and due to extreme temperatures, these seals and gaskets, mostly made of plastic or rubber, tend to crack and need replacement. As a result, you will need to check the door gaskets as well to ensure there is no problem from their end.
Gasket problems are common in other appliance too like ovens. So, if your oven is not heating properly, have a commercial oven repair Fairfax expert replace the door seal, after an inspection.
Power Issues
If your commercial food steamer utilizes electricity to produce steam, it might be an electrical or a power problem that is prohibiting it to do so. Troubleshooting power issues can be slightly tricky, but you should check the power cord, switch, and other relevant components to begin with.
You should also check the circuit breaker for any blown fuses. Sometimes, power fluctuation can also cause the circuit breaker to shut off the power to protect the components from permanent damage.
Malfunctioning Heating Elements
Heating elements are the heart of food steamers. Even if you have sufficient gas or electricity being supplied to the food steamer, if the heating elements are faulty, steam production will come to a halt. The only way to check the heating elements is either by observing their function or by using a multimeter.
If access to the heating element is an issue, you will need to consult an expert. Although heating elements are tough components, regular usage will wear them down and need replacement with time.
Lack Of Maintenance
One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding commercial food steamers is that they do not require much maintenance, considering they produce steam. Regardless of the type of food steamer, maintenance is key to keeping it running without any complications.
Commercial food steamers require both regular and expert maintenance depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations. If the commercial food steamer is used on a daily basis, you will need to clean it at the end of every working day.
Additionally, you should also schedule expert inspection and maintenance to keep an eye on potential problems and get them fixed on the spot. You might think that equipment maintenance is expensive, but if you think about the number of problems you will get to avoid in return, it is surely worth the price you pay.
Replace The Food Steamer
If you have tried everything and your food steamer continues to run into problems, it means it is time for it to go. Food steamers will last for years with proper maintenance, but that does not mean they have an unlimited life.
As a general rule of thumb, if the price of repairs and replacements equals or crosses the actual value of the machine itself, it means it needs replacement. Instead of spending money on further repairs, it is better to save the money and invest it in a new unit.
Conclusion
Commercial food steamers can run into different problems, but you should be prepared to tackle such issues. The information mentioned above will help you get your unit running back to normal in no time but keep in mind, maintenance and routine checks are equally important. Call in a commercial steamer repair Springfield expert for maintenance and repairs.
