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26 QI 2015 THE QUARTERLY Refrigerated Display Cases The popularity of grab-and-go items has more foodser- vice operators looking to refrigerated display cases to help meet customer demand. This equipment includes enclosed and open displays designed for bakery, deli and packaged food applications. A variety of operators, including restaurants, schools, businesses and airports, use refrigerated display cases. It's important to note that this equipment is designed to keep cold food cold, not to pull warm food down to safe holding temperatures. Refrigerated display units should hold product between 33 degrees F and 41 degrees F — any warmer temps will compromise food safety. Open air, glass door, countertop bakery and deli mer- chandisers come with either remote or self-contained refrigeration systems, depending on the unit. This equipment can range from small refrigerated pie cases that mount to a wall to open air grab-and- go merchandisers to curved glass display cases. Sizes vary, but typically glass door cases measure 27, 30, 52 or 78 inches wide; open air cases measure 27, 30, 52 or 78 inches wide; bakery/deli cases measure 50, 59 or 77 inches wide and countertop displays measure 24 inches wide. The majority of cases for commercial use have a stainless steel exterior, with interior fnishes of either stainless or ABS material. Shelves feature either stainless or glass construction. From a merchandising standpoint, the more glass on the unit, the better its merchandising ability because it allows for better views of the food. Temperature monitoring choices include standard electronic controllers for reliability, defrost timers, ther- mometers and alarms for high-temperature alerts. The type of unit that best suits a foodservice operation depends on the application. Unpackaged FE&S;: What are the maintenance considerations for refrigerated display cases? BH: The maintenance requirements will depend on the type of equipment and where it is located. Basically, the care is similar to a residential refrigerator. Install these units on lev- el surfaces and allow space for air to move across the coils. We often see cases pushed into a corner or into a confned space where there's no room for air movement, and this will shorten the equipment's service life. FE&S;: How often do these units typically need to be cleaned? BH: The cleaning requirements will depend on where the unit is located and if there is an excessive amount of dirt and dust in the environment. Display cases situated in an outdoor concessions area will need to be cleaned more often than a unit used inside a hospital or school, for example. Also, a remote condenser on a roof with trees shedding leaves nearby will need more attention. Most of our maintenance agreement plans are for twice a year. FE&S;: What is the cleaning process and supplies needed with refrigerated display cases? BH: There are a few methods used to clean this equip- ment. Manufacturers will generally recommend cleaners or chemicals for their units. Rooftop refrigeration units can be hosed down and cleaned with a brush. FE&S;: How can operators ensure the unit holds at the proper temperature? BH: Check the temperature daily to confrm it's in the proper range. If not, a service agent should be con- tacted. Out of range temperatures may indicate the thermostat is bad or out of calibration, but it also could simply be a sign that someone left the door open for an extended period of time. FE&S;: What is the typical service life of a refrigerated display case? BH: The typical service life for these units is about 7 years for normal depreciating write off, but display cases can last as long as 10 to 12 years. SERVICE Q&A; WITH BRUCE HODGE, president, General Parts & Service, Waukesha, Wis. STORAGE AND HANDLING