Emergency Help: What to Do Right Now
Step-by-step first moves for the problems that can't wait — what to shut off, what's unsafe, and what the likely cause is before a pro arrives.
Walk-In Cooler Not Holding Temperature: What to Do Now
If the walk-in thermometer is climbing past 41°F, the FDA Food Code's cold-holding limit for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food, treat it as urgent. Keep the door closed, probe the product, and call a licensed refrigeration technician before deciding what to do with the food.
See the first steps →Ice Building Up in a Walk-In Freezer: Causes and First Steps
Ice on the evaporator coil, on the ceiling near the door or on the floor of a walk-in freezer means warm, humid air is getting in or the defrost cycle is not clearing the coil. Left alone, the ice blocks airflow and the freezer starts to warm.
See the first steps →Walk-In Cooler After a Power Outage: Restart and Food Checks
When the power goes out, keep walk-in doors closed and start a temperature log. The FDA Food Code holds cold TCS food at 41°F or below (§3-501.16), and your local health department decides what happens to food that warmed past that point.
See the first steps →Need a pro now?
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