With tight budgets to manage, and sustainability targets to meet, education facilities teams are always on the look-out for ways to reduce energy use and running costs.
One place to start is your kitchen, where steps to extend the life of your critical cooking, warewashing and refrigeration equipment should reduce waste and generate real savings.
In this guide, we’re sharing some practical tips to help you lengthen the life of your equipment and get the most from it. Plus, we explain how a dedicated service plan could help you avoid costly downtime and save even more in the long run.
Take care of the basics, daily
Regular cleaning and simple maintenance are the best ways to keep your equipment running at its best, for longer. Just a few minutes each day will likely prevent costly repairs, as well as disruptive downtime.
Keep kitchen hobs clean
Whether you’re using gas, electric or induction in your kitchen, it pays to use the right cleaning products, wipe up debris before it can harden, and clean any removeable parts at the end of a shift. All of this will maintain your hygiene standards and stop unnecessary wear.
Stay on top of ovens and microwaves
A build-up of grease and grime can increase the risk of fire and make key components work far harder than they need to. Regular cleaning, however, will save you a tougher, more time-consuming job later on, and also helps you avoid having to make replacements. It’s the same story for microwaves, where regular cleaning will prevent staining, bad smells and damage.
Maintain your fridge
A clean fridge will hold its temperature far more efficiently, which means less strain on its motor, and more energy saved. More importantly, consistent temperatures will keep your food fresher for longer, and protect your hygiene rating. Don’t forget to check those seals, shelves and handles, either!
Keep dishwashers going
Blocked filters and limescale build-up put a surprising amount of strain on commercial dishwashers. By clearing filters regularly, and using water softener if it’s needed, you’ll save water, avoid the need for repeat cycles, and extends machine life – all while shrinking your carbon footprint.
Clean ventilation systems
Just like your cooking systems, extractors need regular care to reduce fire risks and keep you compliant with all relevant health and safety, fire, and insurance standards. TR19 guidelines say filters must be cleaned daily, then serviced professionally every three to six months, or even more often for busier kitchens.
Rethink your kitchen layout
Maintenance is vital, but to improve staff and equipment efficiency, you need a thoughtful, well-designed kitchen layout. Work closely with your staff to make sure everything is in its right place, and you’ll save energy, minimise hygiene risks and prevent unnecessary strain on equipment, extending its life.
Explore the benefits of a flexible JLA service plan
Having expert support on hand is the best way to keep your kitchen equipment running safely, efficiently, and compliantly – especially when you’re likely to be facing more demand after the introduction of Universal Free School Meals.
This is why, whether it’s essential breakdown cover or JLA’s reassuring Response Plus plan, we ensure you benefit from nationwide engineer support that covers everything from annual safety checks to certification, with parts and labour included.
450 engineers, nationwide
JLA runs an in-house team of 450 engineers who can deliver local support right across the UK. Their responsiveness means you enjoy less downtime, lower repair costs and the assurance that your kitchen will stay compliant and ready for service, even during peak times.
Extensive parts inventory
Thanks to JLA’s long-held partnerships with leading kitchen equipment manufacturers, our engineers have fast access to over 350,000 critical parts, covering a wide range of makes and models. It means if anything goes wrong, we can manage repairs at short notice with a 91% first-time fix rate.
A partner in sustainability
While cost and reliability are critical, sustainability is increasingly important in your supply chain. JLA is committed to reaching net zero by 2040, and we’re always adapting our operations, supply chain and services to make sure you can meet your own ESG targets.
For more guidance on maintaining your school’s critical catering equipment – and to see how we can could help your school save money and reduce downtime – talk to a catering expert today.
Download the JLA education sector brochure
Take a look at our detailed brochure for more information on how JLA can help the education sector.
- An overview on how JLA can help the education sector
- Sustainability and ESG
- Laundry, catering, HVAC and fire safety products
- Digital support
- Network of engineers
- Purchase options, including Total Care
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