glass pane with condensation drips

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  1. What Causes Condensation in Commercial Display Fridges? & Importantly, How Can You Prevent It?
  2. Common Causes of Condensation in Display Fridges
  3. Top Tips to Prevent Condensation in Display Refrigeration
    1. Water Pooling in Cabinet
    2. Damaged or Dirty Door Gaskets
    3. Frequently Opened or Incorrectly Closed Doors
    4. Placing Warm Produce into Cabinets
  4. Issues Potentially Related to Excess Condensation
    1. Water Leaking from Fridge Cabinet
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. Q: Why is condensation forming on my display fridge door?
    2. Q: How can I stop condensation on the glass doors of my display fridge?
    3. Q: What maintenance can I do to stop condensation in my glass door fridge?
    4. Q: Does the type of food stored in the display refrigeration affect condensation?
    5. Q: When should I get professional help for condensation in my glass door display fridge?

Does your business suffer from condensation on your display refrigeration? This article is here to help. Here we discuss common causes of condensation, why it occurs and how to prevent it from ruining your chilled displays.

What Causes Condensation in Commercial Display Fridges? & Importantly, How Can You Prevent It?

Any commercial refrigeration can succumb to condensation however it is particularly prevelant in display fridges due to the glass door creating the perfect (and minimally insulated) barrier between cold and warm air. The consequences of excessive condensation are also much more noticeable in display fridges and freezers due to the visibility of contents becoming obscured by increased moisture droplets. 

Condensation problems can occur in any display refrigeration including multideck fridges with doors, serve over counters and bottle coolers, not only upright cabinets.

Common Causes of Condensation in Display Fridges

To address the issue of condensation, you must first understand what causes it.

When cold air within the cabinet meets warmer ambient air outside the cabinet, through the glass door where insulation is minimal, condensation is formed.

Condensation in commercial display fridges is more common than you think. While a small amount of moisture is to be expected due to the very nature of how commercial refrigeration works (i.e. drawing moisture out of the refrigerated air within the cabinet), excessive levels may indicate that there may be other factors at play.

Typically, any excess moisture inside the cabinet collects in the base of the unit at the drainage point. This will then egress through the small drain tube to the evaporator tray or drain pan, where the heat naturally generated during the refrigeration cycle, causes water to evaporate. When too much condensation occurs you may notice water pooling in the bottom of the cabinet, reduced visibility of contents, damaged packaging, dripping from door seals or 'leaking ' from the bottom of the cabinet.

Common causes of excess condensation are;

  • Water pooling at the bottom of the cabinet
  • Damaged or dirty door gaskets or seals
  • Frequently opened doors or if doors are left open
  • Placing warm produce in the cabinet

Luckily these things are generally easy to diagnose and can be rectified without an engineer.

If all of these potential causes have been eliminated and the problem persists, there may be a more fundamental fault. Contact your supplier who can arrange a troubleshooting call with an engineer or an engineer visit to site.

Top Tips to Prevent Condensation in Display Refrigeration

Water Pooling in Cabinet

This may be caused by a couple of things so it will be a process of elimination.

  • Potential Issue: The cabinet may not be level. This could prevent naturally occurring condensation from egressing via the drain hole or drain pipe, allowing a noticeable build-up of liquid.
  • Remedy: Most commercial fridges will have adjustable feet or legs which can be used to make sure that the unit is level. If this isn't possible, using wooden shims or blocks to level the cabinet will also work.

 OR

  • Potential Issue: The drain hole or drain pipe is blocked.
  • Remedy: The drain is typically positioned inside the cabinet at the bottom, centre back although will vary between equipment and manufacturers. Once the drain is located, simply use a thin pipe cleaner to clear any debris. If the blockage is deeper, you may be able to flush it through with warm water or alternatively may need to blow air through the tube using condensed CO2 or an air compressor. In larger units where a there isn't a drain hole, any excess water will need wiping out.

 

Damaged or Dirty Door Gaskets

  • Potential Issue: Damaged or dirty door gaskets can prevent a tight seal from forming when doors are shut. This allows warm air into the cabinet causing condensation.
  • Remedy: Check door gaskets regularly for dirt or damage. Gently clean dirty gaskets with a soft cloth and mild soap diluted in water. Replace damaged gaskets to restore an effective seal when doors are closed.

yellow lightbulbTop Tip: Damaged or dirty door gaskets can be the cause of a number of issues including condensation, reduced efficiency and inconsistent temperatures within the cabinet.

 

Frequently Opened or Incorrectly Closed Doors

  • Potential Issue: This is pretty self explanatory. If doors are frequently opened, common in busy shop settings, or left open for extended periods, warm ambient air is allowed to flow into the cabinet and mix with refrigerated air, thus creating condensation.
  • Remedy: While reducing the frequency of door openings will be difficult, try to ensure that doors are always shut correctly with a full seal and not left ajar. During restocking of fridges, doors should only remain open for the minimal amount of time possible. Many cabinets feature self closing doors which are ideal for combatting times when doors are accidentally left open. 

 

Placing Warm Produce into Cabinets

  • Potential Issue: Putting hot/warm foods into a chilled cabinet will raise the internal temperature creating excess condensation. This practice will also increase the risk of bacterial growth and cause potential food safety issues.
  • Remedy: Only use refrigeration for the purpose it is designed for i.e. to chill pre-chilled or ambient produce. The only piece of refrigeration that hot/warm foodstuff should ever be placed in is a blast chiller or freezer that is designed specifically to pull down the core temperature of cooked foods within the guidelines outlined by the Food Standards Agency.

yellow lightbulbTop Tip: Using refrigeration for tasks that it was not designed for can put added strain on refrigeration systems which can lead to decreased performance and increased risk of fault or breakdown.

Water Leaking from Fridge Cabinet

glass door display fridge stocked with produce showing a puddle on floor at base of cabinetCommercial refrigeration isn't connected to a mains water supply and so, technically, it cannot leak, however this may be a realistic effect of excessive moisture in the cabinet. It may cause dripping from seals or pooling water from inside the cabinet, escaping when doors are opened. Alternatively the evaporator tray may be becoming overloaded with excess condensate. 

If this symptom is coupled with excess condensation within the cabinet then initially address the top tips above to see if any rectify the issue. 

Cabinets not that are not levelled correctly, whether coupled with excess condensation or not, are the main cause of 'leaks' from beneath the unit. When cabinets are not level it causes the evaporator tray to sit at an angle which allows condensate water, whether natural amounts or not, to spill over the lip of the tray and 'leak' onto the floor before it can evaporate. This will result in the fridge looking for all intents and purposes, that it is 'leaking'.

If you have levelled the equipment and a 'leak' is still occurring, get in touch with your supplier for more advice. It may be due to a fault with the evaporator coil or the drain tray, however these will require an engineer. Depending on your level of warranty cover, this may be included under your warranty terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is condensation forming on my display fridge door?

A: Condensation in fridges can be caused by a temperature difference between the inside and outside of the refrigeration. Excess moisture will typically form on the area where the hot and cold air comes into contact the most; in display fridges this will be the glass door where insulation is minimal. High moisture levels within the cabinet could be caused by faulty or dirty seals on the door, a blocked drain hole/drain tube, incorrect use of the cabinet for warm produce or doors being left open. Restoring an effective seal on doors, levelling the cabinet or clearing any blockages and ensuring doors are shut securely can help reduce condensation.

Q: How can I stop condensation on the glass doors of my display fridge?

A: To prevent condensation on glass doors, you need to ensure the unit is correctly set-up and level, and is being used according to the user manual. The position of the cabinet and how it is used can contribute to temperature fluctuations that may also play a part. Without sufficient airflow between stock inside the fridge, the equipment may struggle to achieve optimum temperatures for safe storage. Restricting airflow around the exterior of the cabinet can also cause temperature fluctuations that can be a cause of condensation, and indeed, breakdown of the unit completely. The surrounding environment including ambient temperatures and humidity levels should be monitored and controlled to ensure recommended working conditions are achieved according to the climate class.

Q: What maintenance can I do to stop condensation in my glass door fridge?

A: Yes, regular maintenance tasks can help prevent condensation. These include cleaning the door gaskets, checking and replacing faulty door seals, cleaning the condenser coils, and ensuring adequate airflow.

Q: Does the type of food stored in the display refrigeration affect condensation?

A: Yes, some types of food release moisture, which can contribute to condensation inside the fridge. It is important to store food items properly and are correctly covered or wrapped, avoid placing hot or warm products in the fridge and ensure that the display refrigeration you have is suitable for the produce you're putting in it.

Q: When should I get professional help for condensation in my glass door display fridge?

A: If you have tried the recommended preventive measures and condensation issues persist, it may be necessary to seek professional help. Call your display refrigeration supplier who will be able to arrange for a qualified engineer to attend site to inspect for any underlying issues, such as a malfunctioning thermostat, that may be causing excessive condensation.