Prep Table Refrigeration Maintenance

SWVA Mechanical provides expert maintenance for commercial prep table refrigeration units in Lebanon, VA. We help keep your kitchen’s workflow efficient and your food inventory safe.

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Professional Prep Table Fridge Maintenance Done Right

Refrigerated prep tables are the workhorses of a commercial kitchen, essential for both food safety and service efficiency. Because these units operate in demanding, hot kitchen environments, regular professional maintenance is critical. A scheduled tune-up ensures your prep tables consistently hold a food-safe temperature, preventing dangerous food spoilage and costly inventory loss. It also helps you stay in compliance with local health department regulations. Our technicians are experts in commercial refrigeration. We provide thorough maintenance to keep your prep tables reliable and to prevent unexpected, service-interrupting breakdowns.

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Honest Reviews From Our Clients

Businesses across Southwest Virginia trust SWVA Mechanical for refrigeration services that are done right the first time. Here’s what real customers have to say about their experience:

Shahram Totonchian
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Shahram Totonchian
May 17, 2025
Douglas Canody
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Douglas Canody
January 25, 2025

We recently had our downstairs residential heat pump fail after 17 years of service. Given the age of the system, and the newer technology available, it made sense to replace both the downstairs and upstairs systems (3- and 2-ton units respectively). I obtained quotes from 4 different installers and ultimately, we selected the Mitsubishi Hyperheat systems as the replacement. Brian at SWVA Mechanical gave us the best price and best answers to our questions and we selected them to do the work. I don't think it could have gone any better. They showed up when they said they would, staged the work so that we could stay warm (installed in December), were respectful of our property and answered all of our questions. All of the SWVA Mechanical workers were friendly, cheerful, and most importantly knowledgeable and competent. Brian encouraged us to consider the Mitsubishi Hyperheat system which would function as a heat pump to below 0 degrees F. Frankly, I had my doubts that a system without auxiliary heat would function properly at such low temperatures without an auxiliary heat source. However, this review is being written 1 week after some of the coldest temperature in years (as low as 6 degrees F and -1-degree wind chill) and I can testify that my house stayed at the temperature set point throughout this very cold period, and in fact my house has been more comfortable than it ever has in similar conditions. I have temperature monitoring data that proves the system worked as Brian said it would. Additionally, the numbers show significant electricity savings compared to the operation of the old system. I will also mention that Brian and his partner Nick, were persistent in being able to get a relatively new steam humidifier installed about 2 years ago to work with the Mitsubishi heat pump and air handler. That required a lot of effort on their part, and a non-standard installation that went beyond the manufacturers’ instructions. I can verify that what they did worked, that it was done properly and is functioning as it should. To reiterate, I would highly recommend SWVA VA Mechanical to anyone in need of their services. They check all the boxes... knowledge, expertise, dependability, reliability, and integrity. Based on our experiences, we intend to use them to service our new system in the future and would not hesitate to work with them again. In my opinion, and based on my past experiences, it would be very hard to do better than SWVA Mechanical in this line of work and expertise.

Jack McArdle
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Jack McArdle
December 5, 2024

I had emergency when the heating system stopped working during the coldest days these past 2 months and Brain came the same day I called SWVM. No other HVAC company in the area would even give me an estimate of when they could come. Brain got the system running just in time for the lows in the teens the next few nights. If you need help this company will do all they can to help you. I would highly reccommend them.

NetworkSandbox
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NetworkSandbox
November 27, 2024

Recently had an installation as well as a preventative maintenance on another unit. I received good communication about scheduling and pricing and they answered any question I had. They showed up on time and performed the work well. After the install, Brian came by to make sure I was happy with the install and that I was fully taken care of. Subsequently for the preventative maintenance that Samuel performed, he thoroughly cleaned and tested the units and communicated to me the way that the unit was originally wired may not be optimal and explained the pros/cons of making a minor adjustment which I had him do. I'm very happy with the service provided and plan to use SWVA Mechanical for any future HVAC needs.

Kristen Jones
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Kristen Jones
September 24, 2024

Called with HVAC issue on Monday had a resolution by Tuesday morning. Owner Nick is amazing. Goes above and beyond for his customers. Technician that came out was 5 star! Polite, conscientious regarding cleanliness, and super helpful. Pricing is extremely reasonable. I will never use another company!

Bill Fletcher
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Bill Fletcher
September 7, 2024

Nick Cross and his team are amazing. Did a great job for us. They are polite, professional and knowledgable. Our challenge is with a house built in 1913 and their work has given us more control over our HVAC system and made our living space more comfortable. Price was very reasonable. Highly recommended.

Tony
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Tony
July 12, 2024

Samuel came out and did a great job!! He serviced my unit inside and outside. Company was amazing to begin with. Answered and returned my calls every time. They were prompt in letting me know when they would arrive and informed me of all repairs before doing anything. Amazing job!! Highly recommended.

Robert Elswick
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Robert Elswick
June 3, 2024

Highly Recommend! Brian and his team done an outstanding job installing my new Mitsubishi mini splits. I couldn’t have asked for a better HVAC Team than SWVA Mechanicals!

Brian Hale
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Brian Hale
April 13, 2024

I recently had a heat pump replaced by SWVA and they did an excellent job. As we were weighing the options of repairing my old system and the cost and benefit of the new system they were very helpful. I never felt they were trying to up-sale me. I especially appreciate the fast service both on the repairs I needed on my old system and with this new install. I was in a bind because it was winter but they had me up and running with a new system fast. I would highly recommend them again!

Scott Beverly
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Scott Beverly
April 8, 2024

I can't say enough good about the folks at SWVA mechanical. They came to my house and quoted the Mitsubishi unit to me and I had it installed within a few weeks. Every tech was very professional and respectful while in our home and did an outstanding job. I had one company give me a quote for the same system and it was over $4000.00 more than what Brian at SW VA Mechanical quoted, plus the other company didn't want to even talk about the Mitsubishi units that have the best reputation in the business. These more efficient units will save us money on our electric bill and they are so quiet you can't even hear them run. If you need a HVAC system or just need your old system repaired, give Brian at SW VA Mechanical at call and you will not be disappointed. They are more than fair on their prices and will treat you with respect and not try to burn you up on the charges. They are my new HVAC company. Scott Beverly

Jackie Rife
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Jackie Rife
January 19, 2024

Our furnace went out during frigid weather. Called Brian and he came immediately. He is very knowledgeable and professional. I highly recommend this company!

bill vaden
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bill vaden
December 25, 2023

Brian and Samuel real good people sincerely want to help when you’re in trouble just installed a new heat pump force excellent job

Tully Wright
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Tully Wright
November 13, 2023

Excellent service. Friendly, good communication, punctual, quality work. I was very pleased and highly recommend this company for any of your heating and cooling needs

Joe Johnson
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Joe Johnson
October 26, 2023

I had these guys install a new American Standard 3 ton heat pump this week. I got quotes from different companies and after a great deal of research chose SWVA Mechanical. Nick and Brian explained everything in detail and Jesse and Sam did our install. We are very happy with the entire process. Nick asked me a number of times during and after the install if we were happy and everything was to our expectations. They really care about customer satisfaction and it shows. Great product and install! I would highly recommend this company to anyone on the market for a new system. Great price and great product!

Joel Clark
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Joel Clark
August 27, 2023

SWVA Mechanical took care of us quickly and efficiently! Very knowledgeable in all the services they have provided to us. Highly recommend!

mountainview retirement
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mountainview retirement
August 7, 2023
Kevin McGlothlin
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Kevin McGlothlin
July 21, 2023

Brian and his employees were wonderful to deal with. They installed a Mitsubishi Mini Split system for our office and needless to say was the best investment both for quality and cost. We truly appreciate SWVA Mechanical's willingness to go the extra mile for us.

Amy Barrett
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Amy Barrett
July 4, 2023

Excellent quick service from Brian and all of his crew! Called on Sunday and had a new heat pump on Monday they went above and beyond to get my family’s air going again. The best guys around for all your hvac needs!!

Rhonda Hale
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Rhonda Hale
June 17, 2023

Highly recommend. They did an excellent installation on our new 4 ton heat pump and electrical work. 10 year warranty on the heat pump and 1 year on all the labor. These guys are the best around!

Anthony Mullins
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Anthony Mullins
June 3, 2023

Called Brian on a Friday night after 8pm and told him my situation!! He was here in less than 5 minutes and took care of me!! He don’t have to answer his phone on a Friday night!! Very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous!! Will use this company from now on!!

Benjamin Price
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Benjamin Price
April 18, 2023

Excellent service and quality installation job for my business on a total install of 12 mini split units. The units have a 10 year warranty and with the savings in my power bill, the units will pay for themselves in 5 years. Highly recommend this small business for anything related to HVAC

April Dawson
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April Dawson
September 6, 2019
Sami J.
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Sami J.
June 3, 2018

Excellent service , on time, freindly, very knowledgeable, reasonable prices, definitely will use again if needed, thank you

Prep Table Refrigerator Maintenance Service

The demanding environment of a commercial kitchen requires that your refrigerated prep tables receive regular, professional maintenance. Our comprehensive service is designed to address the specific challenges these units face, from high ambient heat to airborne grease and flour. A preventative maintenance visit is the best way to ensure your equipment remains reliable, energy-efficient, and compliant with all food safety standards. We will clean and inspect every critical component of your prep table’s refrigeration system. This proactive care helps you avoid equipment downtime and protects your bottom line.

The single most important task in prep table maintenance is cleaning the condenser coil. The condenser is responsible for releasing heat from the refrigeration system. On prep tables, these coils are usually located low to the ground, making them magnets for kitchen debris. They quickly become clogged with grease, dust, flour, and dirt from the floor. Our technicians use specialized, powerful degreasing agents and tools to thoroughly clean the condenser coil. A clean coil allows the unit to run efficiently, hold temperature properly, and prevents a premature and very expensive compressor failure.

Our service continues with an inspection of the interior components. We will check the evaporator coil, which is located inside the refrigerated compartment, for any signs of excessive frost or ice buildup. This can indicate a problem with airflow or the defrost system. The small evaporator fans that circulate cold air throughout the cabinet are also inspected and cleaned. We ensure these fans are spinning freely and are not making any unusual noises. Proper airflow inside the unit is essential for maintaining a consistent and food-safe temperature for your ingredients.

The gaskets on the doors, drawers, and lids of your prep table are critical for its efficiency. These seals are responsible for keeping the cold air in and the hot kitchen air out. Our technicians will carefully inspect every gasket for any signs of cracks, tears, or brittleness. A damaged gasket allows cold air to leak out constantly. This forces the compressor to run nonstop, which wastes a tremendous amount of electricity and puts extreme strain on the refrigeration system. We can recommend replacement for any gaskets that are no longer sealing properly.

Verifying the unit’s temperature is a key part of ensuring food safety. Our technicians will place a calibrated thermometer inside the prep table to get an accurate reading of the product temperature. We ensure the unit is maintaining a temperature at or below the health code requirement of 41°F. We will also check the accuracy of the unit’s built-in thermostat and calibrate it if necessary. This verification gives you peace of mind that your ingredients are being held at a safe temperature, protecting both your customers and your inventory.

All refrigerated prep tables produce condensation, which must be properly managed. These units have a drain line and an evaporator pan to remove this moisture. The drain line can become clogged with slime and food debris over time, causing water to back up into the unit. Our technicians will clear this drain line to ensure it flows freely. We will also clean the condensate evaporator pan, which is a shallow tray that uses heat from the compressor to evaporate the condensation. A clean and functional drainage system is essential for proper operation.

A scheduled maintenance agreement is the best way for any food service business to manage its refrigeration equipment. We can create a comprehensive plan that covers your prep tables, walk-in coolers, and ice machines. A plan makes regular maintenance automatic and affordable, ensuring you never miss a critical service. It is the smartest way to ensure health code compliance, prevent inventory loss, and reduce the risk of costly emergency breakdowns. Plan members also receive priority service for any repair needs, which is vital in a busy kitchen.

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Emergency Prep Table Maintenance Near You

In a commercial kitchen, a failed prep table can bring an entire service line to a halt. This can lead to significant food waste and an inability to serve your customers. We understand that this is an emergency. For our commercial maintenance plan customers, we provide priority emergency service for any refrigeration failure. If your prep table goes down, your call will be moved to the top of our dispatch list. Our goal is to get a technician to your facility as quickly as possible to minimize your operational downtime and protect your valuable food inventory.

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Most Common Prep Table Refrigeration Maintenance Questions

Your refrigerated prep tables are vital to your kitchen’s daily operation and food safety compliance. Business owners and kitchen managers often have questions about how to care for this critical equipment. We have answered the most common maintenance questions we hear from our Lebanon clients.

For any refrigerated prep table operating in a commercial kitchen environment, we recommend a professional maintenance service every three months. A quarterly schedule is the industry best practice for this type of equipment. Because prep tables have low-to-the-ground condensers, they get dirty much faster than other refrigeration units. The high levels of airborne grease, flour, and dust in a kitchen environment can clog a condenser coil in just a few months. A quarterly cleaning is the best way to prevent this from causing a major failure.

If a quarterly schedule is not feasible for your budget, a semi-annual service, or one visit every six months, is the absolute minimum requirement. This will help to keep the most critical components clean and allows a technician to spot potential issues like failing gaskets or fan motors before they cause a complete breakdown. However, in a busy kitchen, a six-month interval may still allow for significant grease and dust buildup on the condenser coil.

Under no circumstances should a commercial prep table go for more than a year without service. Doing so is almost a guarantee that the unit is running inefficiently, wasting energy, and is at a very high risk of a catastrophic compressor failure. The cost of a single emergency repair will almost always be greater than the cost of a full year of preventative maintenance visits.

Cleaning the condenser coil is the single most important maintenance task for a refrigerated prep table. The condenser’s job is to release all the heat that the refrigeration system has removed from the cabinet. On a prep table, the condenser is almost always located at the bottom of the unit, close to the floor. This position makes it act like a vacuum cleaner for all the dust, dirt, grease, and flour that settles on your kitchen floor. This debris gets pulled into the delicate fins of the coil.

When the condenser coil becomes clogged, it cannot get rid of heat effectively. It is like forcing the refrigeration system to run while wearing a heavy winter coat. This makes the compressor work much, much harder and run for longer periods to try and keep the unit cold. This results in dramatically higher electricity bills. More importantly, this constant strain and overheating is the number one cause of premature compressor failure, which is the most expensive repair a prep table can have.

A regularly cleaned condenser coil allows your prep table to run efficiently, saving you money on energy. It keeps the unit holding a consistent, food-safe temperature, even in a hot kitchen. Most importantly, it protects the compressor from a catastrophic failure. A simple, professional cleaning every few months is the best insurance policy you can buy for the long-term health of your equipment.

Yes, a failure to maintain a food-safe temperature is a classic symptom of a prep table that is overdue for maintenance. This is a critical issue that you must address immediately to prevent food spoilage and ensure public health. The most common cause of poor temperature performance is a dirty condenser coil. As explained, if the unit cannot get rid of heat, it cannot effectively create cold. The first step in diagnosing a warm prep table is always to check the condition of the condenser coil.

Another common maintenance-related cause is a damaged or torn door or lid gasket. Even a small tear in a gasket can allow a continuous stream of cold air to leak out and hot kitchen air to seep in. This makes it impossible for the unit to maintain its target temperature, especially during busy periods when the lids are being opened and closed frequently. A technician will inspect all gaskets as part of a routine maintenance visit.

While other issues like a refrigerant leak or a failing compressor can also cause warm temperatures, the problem is most often rooted in a lack of basic maintenance. A thorough professional cleaning and tune-up will address the most common causes of poor temperature performance. If your unit is struggling to stay below 41°F, you should schedule a service call immediately.

According to all food safety regulations, including those from the FDA and local health departments, the proper temperature for holding cold food is at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius). This is the temperature that must be maintained for the food product itself. To achieve this, the air temperature inside your refrigerated prep table should be set slightly lower, typically between 36 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that even with frequent opening and closing, the food in the pans stays within the safe zone.

It is a critical responsibility for any food service business to regularly monitor the temperatures of their refrigeration units. Your staff should be using a calibrated food thermometer to check the temperature of the food in the prep table at the beginning of each shift. This creates a log that can be shown to a health inspector. During our professional maintenance service, we use our own highly accurate, calibrated thermometers to verify the performance of your unit.

If your prep table is unable to maintain a food temperature of 41°F or below, you must not use it to store potentially hazardous foods like meats, dairy, or cut vegetables. The unit must be repaired immediately. A failure to maintain this temperature is a critical health code violation and can lead to rapid bacterial growth and a high risk of foodborne illness.

The gaskets on the doors, drawers, and rail lids of your prep table are absolutely essential for its performance and efficiency. These flexible rubber or vinyl seals are the only thing that creates an airtight barrier between the cold air inside the cabinet and the hot, humid air of your kitchen. When these gaskets are in good condition, they prevent cold air from escaping. This allows the refrigeration system to cycle on and off normally, saving energy and reducing wear and tear on the compressor.

Over time, these gaskets can become brittle, cracked, torn, or flattened from constant use. When a gasket is damaged, the airtight seal is broken. This allows cold air to continuously leak out of the unit. In response, the refrigeration system has to run constantly to try and make up for this loss of cold air. This nonstop operation leads to a massive waste of electricity and dramatically increases your utility bills. It also puts an incredible strain on the compressor, which can cause it to fail years earlier than it should.

During our maintenance visit, we carefully inspect every inch of every gasket on your unit. If we find any that are damaged, we will recommend their immediate replacement. Replacing worn-out gaskets is one of the most cost-effective repairs you can make. The energy savings from a proper seal will often pay for the cost of the new gaskets in just a few months. It is a simple fix that has a huge impact on your bottom line.

Your kitchen staff should be responsible for the daily and weekly cleaning of the prep table, but the technical maintenance should be left to a professional. Staff should be trained to wipe down the interior and exterior of the unit, clean the cutting boards, and rotate food products. They should also be taught not to overfill the food pans, as this can block airflow and lead to unsafe food temperatures. These daily sanitation tasks are a vital part of kitchen operations.

However, the technical maintenance of the refrigeration system is not a job for kitchen staff. This includes the chemical cleaning of the condenser coil, which involves using powerful degreasers. It also includes inspecting and testing electrical components, checking the refrigerant system, and calibrating the thermostat. These tasks require specific training, tools, and an understanding of refrigeration principles. An untrained employee could easily damage the equipment or injure themselves.

The most important reason to use a professional is for the condenser coil cleaning. This task often requires accessing the back or bottom of the unit and using specialized tools to safely clean the delicate fins without damaging them. It is a dirty job that requires expertise. By having a professional perform this task quarterly, you allow your kitchen staff to focus on what they do best: preparing food. It is a smart division of labor that ensures the job is done correctly and safely.

The fan you hear running inside the refrigerated cabinet of your prep table is the evaporator fan. Its job is to circulate the cold air from the evaporator coil throughout the cabinet to keep all your food at a consistent temperature. If this fan starts making a loud or unusual noise, like a grinding, squealing, or rattling sound, it indicates a problem that needs to be addressed. This fan is a small motor that can wear out over time, especially in a commercial environment.

A squealing or grinding noise is almost always a sign that the fan motor’s bearings are failing. When this happens, the motor will eventually seize up and stop working altogether. If the evaporator fan stops spinning, the cold air will not be circulated. This will cause the food at the top of the cabinet to be too warm, while the coil at the back turns into a solid block of ice. This can lead to unsafe food temperatures and requires an immediate repair.

A rattling or scraping noise could mean that the fan blade itself is loose or that it is hitting a buildup of ice on the evaporator coil. This can also be caused by a failed defrost system. Regardless of the specific cause, any new noise from this fan is a sign of a developing problem. A technician will need to inspect the fan motor and the evaporator coil to diagnose the issue and replace the failing component.

For a business, skipping regular maintenance on your refrigerated prep tables carries several significant risks. The first and most serious risk is to food safety. A poorly maintained unit that cannot hold a temperature below 41°F puts your customers at risk of foodborne illness and puts your business at risk of a critical health code violation. The potential liability and damage to your reputation from a food safety incident are immense. This is the most important reason to perform regular maintenance.

The second major risk is financial loss from food spoilage. When a prep table fails, you can lose hundreds of dollars worth of inventory, including meats, cheeses, and produce. These unexpected losses can be devastating to your daily profits. Regular preventative maintenance is designed to catch problems before they lead to a catastrophic failure, which helps to protect your valuable food inventory. It is a proactive measure to prevent waste.

Finally, skipping maintenance leads to much higher operating costs and eventual equipment failure. A unit with a clogged condenser will use significantly more electricity, inflating your utility bills. This constant strain will also lead to the premature failure of the compressor, which is the most expensive part of the system to replace. The small, predictable cost of regular maintenance helps you to avoid these much larger, unpredictable expenses.

Schedule Your Prep Table Refrigeration Maintenance

Contact SWVA Mechanical to schedule professional maintenance for your commercial prep tables. Protect your inventory, ensure food safety, and keep your Lebanon kitchen running smoothly.

Book nOw (276) 971-9514
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