Beat the Summer Heat

Summer has just begun and it’s already incredibly hot. This heat only gets worse when you enter a commercial kitchen that is full of ovens, grills, and fryers. All of this commercial kitchen equipment produces heat that can make your kitchen miserably hot. Below, we’ve outlined some steps you can take to cool down your kitchen and to help your chefs to beat the heat.

  1. Start with Ventilation
    All commercial kitchens are required to have ventilation systems. These systems can capture and filter out heat, smoke, fumes, and particulates from the air. If your system is old or has not been properly maintained, it may not be filtering as efficiently as it should. By having it serviced, you can ensure that as much heat as possible is being captured and removed from your kitchen. In addition to having your HVAC system serviced, you should be sure to check regularly for grease build-up as this can decrease the system’s efficiency.
  1. Use Fans
    It’s amazing what a well-placed fan or two can do. By placing one fan on the floor and another overhead, you can enhance the airflow in your kitchen and provide some welcome relief from the stifling heat. Just be sure the blades of the fans are kept dust-free to prevent contamination of your clean kitchen. In addition, be sure to place them out of the way of your staff to avoid accidents.
  1. Consider your Staff
    We know long shifts and hard work are the norm in commercial kitchens. When the heat grows too intense, however, your employees are at risk for growing ill from the heat. In addition to cooling your kitchen as well as you can, you should make an effort to give your staff time to take breaks and cool off. You should also encourage them to drink refreshing, hydrating beverages instead of dehydrating, caffeine-filled beverages. In addition, relaxing your dress code can go a long way. For example, you could allow your chefs to wear T-shirts instead of their usual chef’s coats.

We hope these tips will help you to beat the heat this summer! When you need a part or service for your commercial kitchen equipment, be sure to give us a call.