Archived Reach-In Cooler Trouble

[ProduceNut]

At my store we have been having trouble with moisture accumulating on the ceiling of the reach-in coolers. We have delt with this by "squeegeeing" the moisture into a bucket and dumping it into a sink so it stops dripping all over the product below. There is so much dripping that, if left unkempt, it damages product packaging. Service techs say coolers are working fine.

I believe this is caused by product blocking the lower air-curtain vents. I found a single barrier to stop the product from covering them but nobody knows what it is called or what the order number would be on SAPP (no info stamped on it.)

The single barrier seems to have helped the 4-foot section it was placed in but the moisture is overtaking it from the side (was placed next to a wall.) I can't tell without a few more of it actually helped.

Does anyone know what this is? If you know of something else I am open to other suggestions for barriers to be placed in front of product on the bottom of reach-in coolers.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Partner with your tl for retraining on product blocking the lower vent. Ask PMT person to help you resolve the issues. Also, communicate your concerns to your etl/tl too. Document all events.

 

[ProduceNut]

Hardlinesmaster,

I'm not sure what exactly you mean with the retraining but the other steps have been followed and resulted in a service technician running tests on the cooler and saying it is fine. "The moisture accumulation is normal because we are near the front of the store and the hot air from the front door is getting into the cooler."

This theory somewhat makes sense but after testing with the 2ft barrier I found, I think installing barriers is the real solution.

I have multiple people willing to order this item believing that the barrier idea will work but nobody can find the number or figure out what it is called. I have my department TL and about three other ETLs searching for this item on SAPP. We just can't find it.

 

[Hardlinesmaster]

Your PMT person should be able to fixed the issue & get the parts for you. They should check all seals to keep moisture out. Our coolers are near the front doors, with some adjustments, our coolers stop doing it.

 

[signingminion]

Ours do it like crazy because the air curtain things have all been taken down and tossed by the little old man.

 

[ClamJammer]

"I really don't think this is an issue, get with management". <------every manager/"superior" ever.

If you have a way to finagle a workaround until a superior complains about it and you can prove it fixes the problem, you'll find your part number ASAP. If not, then whatevs. Document it via photos and official complaints, and your arse is covered. :/ SteriTech inspections are coming soon, so let Spot either sink or swim on this one, but let it be known that you let it be known. 😉

 

[mrknownothing]

We've had the dripping in our open coolers from time to time. I'm not sure what causes it, though I doubt it's due to location; our P-Fresh area is nowhere near the front end, electronics, or anywhere else with inordinately warm air.

I'm not sure what exactly you mean with the retraining

If I understand correctly, he meant that you should partner with your CTL to ensure that everyone on the market team knows not to stock product such that it blocks the vents.

 

[Jack of all Workcenters]

If your coolers have water leaking, then you need a better tech. We had a similar issue and a tech had to come out and fix it. However, if the team also stacks products too high on the shelves, not having a gap between bottom of shelf and top of product, you will get a similar effect on packaging where it gets soggy. And as a side note, keep the vents on your coolers clear, the slots closest to the front wall. IIRC it was a vent issue and they needed a new part, might also have been a drain problem. I'd have to ask my pmt what the final answer was.