Levelling a commercial refrigerator and looking after its castors and feet

Why level matters

• Doors: self-closing doors rely on gravity and the closer; a cabinet leaning forward lets doors drift open.
• Seals: a twisted cabinet holds the door at an angle, so the gasket leaves a gap at one corner.
• Drainage: defrost water must run to the drain hole. Many manufacturers specify level or a very slight tilt toward the drain; a wrong tilt leaves water on the cabinet floor.
• Structure: a cabinet resting on three feet flexes as doors open, loosening hinges and shelf supports over time.
• Compressor and fans: a badly tilted unit can vibrate more and become noisier.

How to level a unit

• 1. Empty the top shelf if needed and place a spirit level on the top of the cabinet or on a shelf, first front to back, then side to side.
• 2. On units with adjustable feet, turn the feet to raise or lower each corner. Small adjustments make big differences.
• 3. On units with castors, check whether the castors have height adjustment; if not, use purpose-made levelling shims under the castor mounts, never folded cardboard.
• 4. Make sure all four feet or castors carry weight — the cabinet should not rock when pushed at a corner.
• 5. Check the manual for any intended tilt. Some cabinets should lean very slightly backward so doors swing closed.
• 6. Open and close each door, then do the paper test on the gasket.

Sloped kitchen floors

Commercial kitchen floors are usually laid to fall toward floor drains, which is exactly what makes refrigerators lean. Measure the slope where the unit will stand before installation. Adjustable feet can usually absorb a gentle fall; a steeper one may need a level plinth built under the unit. Avoid placing units directly on a drain channel, where the slope changes sharply and water runs under the cabinet.

Castor care

• Keep the front castors locked whenever the unit is in use; an unlocked unit creeps away from the wall each time a door is pulled.
• Clean wheels and swivels during floor cleaning; hair, string and food wrap around axles and stop them turning.
• Check monthly that castor stems or mounting plates are tight. A loose castor can snap off when the unit is moved.
• Replace cracked or flat-spotted wheels, and always replace with castors rated for the unit's loaded weight.
• Move units on castors slowly and straight; do not drag them sideways over drain grates or thresholds.

Feet or castors?

Castors make cleaning behind and under units easy, which helps with pests and hygiene, and allow units to be pulled out for condenser cleaning. Fixed feet are more stable and better for units that rarely move or sit inside counter runs. If a unit on feet cannot be moved, make sure there is enough height under it to clean, or seal it to the floor so dirt cannot get under. Either way, the unit must be level.

Re-level after every move and deep clean

Rolling a unit out for cleaning, mopping under it, or moving it a metre to make room can change its level. Make a spirit-level check part of putting the unit back, and do it again whenever a door starts to behave differently.

Safety notes

Isolate power before tilting a unit or working under it. Commercial cabinets are heavy and top-heavy — use two people to lift a corner, use a proper lever or jack, and never put hands or feet under a raised cabinet. Do not lift units by doors or grilles. Take care not to strike pipework under the base, especially on units charged with flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R290.