10th Dec 2025
How to maintain commercial cooking equipment for safety and performance
Keeping commercial cooking equipment clean and well-maintained is essential for safety, reliability, and food hygiene. Regular maintenance doesn’t just prevent breakdowns; it protects your investment, keeps staff safe, and helps you stay compliant with inspection standards.
A clean, well-serviced kitchen is a professional kitchen.
Routine maintenance
Every commercial appliance has a maintenance schedule, and sticking to it is the easiest way to avoid expensive repairs. Check filters, thermostats, and seals regularly. Look for signs of wear such as frayed cables, loose fittings, or uneven heat distribution.
Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance guidelines. If your kitchen runs long hours, consider weekly light maintenance and quarterly professional servicing to keep everything running efficiently.
Herits insight: Simple habits make the biggest difference. A five-minute inspection at the end of every shift helps spot small problems before they become major faults.
Cleaning for safety and hygiene
Commercial cooking creates grease, steam, and food residue that quickly build up on surfaces and inside equipment. Cleaning isn’t just cosmetic; it’s about safety and food quality.
Use food-safe cleaning products on all cooking and prep surfaces. Empty grease traps and wipe down hot plates, fryers, and oven interiors daily. For grills and griddles, clean surfaces while still warm to make residue easier to remove.
Schedule deep cleans at least once a month, including under and behind large equipment. Always clean ventilation filters and ducting to reduce the risk of fire.
Understanding safety risks
Ovens, fryers, and grills all operate at high temperatures, so safety checks should be part of your daily routine.
- Check thermostats and pilot lights for faults
- Keep fire blankets and extinguishers within easy reach
- Make sure staff wear non-slip shoes and suitable clothing
- Never allow cleaning chemicals to mix with hot surfaces
Electrical and gas connections should be inspected by qualified professionals. If an appliance trips power or shows inconsistent performance, stop using it until it has been checked.
Herits insight: Safety starts with awareness. Most kitchen accidents happen when teams rush or skip checks — build safety habits into your opening and closing routines.
Refurbished equipment and ongoing reliability
Buying refurbished commercial equipment doesn’t mean compromising on safety. In fact, properly refurbished units are often cleaner, better maintained, and more reliable than poorly serviced new ones.
At Herits, every piece of refurbished equipment is cleaned, tested, and certified for professional use, ensuring it meets both performance and safety standards.
Need reliable commercial cooking equipment you can trust?
Herits supplies professionally refurbished ovens, fryers, and grills that meet strict safety and hygiene standards. Call 01803 501066 to talk to our team.