How to prolong the life of your galley
Equipping a galley isn't cheap, so it's no surprise most organisations want to prolong the life of their equipment for as long as possible. Fortunately, when looked after, good galley equipment can last many years or even decades. If you want to get the most out of your investment, here's how to prolong the life of your galley.
Clean, clean, clean.
Keeping your galley spic and span isn't just about food hygiene. Failing to clean equipment properly can lead to issues further down the line. For example, dust buildup on vents can cause equipment to overheat and break. You should ensure your galley is deep-cleaned at least once a month, if not more (depending on use). Keeping your extraction unit clean is particularly important as it can become a fire hazard when greasy.
Cleaning equipment regularly is only half the battle, though. It's also essential to clean equipment correctly. Whilst it might be done with the best intentions, incorrectly cleaning galley equipment can do more harm than good. I'm sure we can all understand the temptation after a long shift in a hot galley to hose down equipment or chuck a bucket of water over it for a quick clean. It might get the job done quicker, but this can damage equipment in the long run. Each piece of equipment in your galley will have an IP rating specifying its water resistance. Exceeding this limit can result in water damaging electrical components within the equipment.
You should be provided with a manual and training when you purchase galley equipment specifying how it should be used and cleaned. Following these instructions will extend the life of your galley.
It's also worth noting here that the design of your galley should facilitate proper cleaning. The layout of your equipment should make it easy for your crew to access all the parts they need to clean. If you'd like more tips on designing a galley, check out our guide: How to Design a Galley
Regular servicing
The benefits of having your equipment serviced regularly by a trained engineer are twofold. Not only will it prolong the life of your galley, but it will also enable you to do preventative maintenance, avoiding downtime.
Galley equipment operates in some of the harshest environments possible. It's a simple fact that occasionally parts will break and need replacing. During servicing, an engineer will flag issues with any equipment, allowing you to schedule repairs rather than having an unexpected breakdown disrupt your operations.
The cost of downtime caused by unscheduled maintenance can rapidly reach tens of thousands of pounds for large vessels. Some organisations will even purchase entirely new equipment to avoid downtime costs waiting for repairs, highlighting the significant expense. In comparison, the cost of regular servicing is incredibly cheap.
How regularly you need servicing depends on your equipment and its usage. A passenger ferry operating 24/7 may require servicing every three months. A galley that's only used for 3 hours/day may only need servicing once a year. If you'd like advice on how frequently your galley requires servicing, we'd be happy to help. Contact us today to get started.
Buy premium equipment
In our galley design guide, one of the first points we cover is identifying your objectives. If you want to design a galley that lasts as long as possible, it makes sense to invest in premium equipment. Premium equipment costs more because the quality of the design, engineering and materials result in a better product that will last longer and be more reliable.
However, if you're trying to design a galley with a limited budget, you may not be able to afford premium equipment. Whilst choosing budget equipment will keep your costs down, you should be realistic about your expectations. Budget equipment is likely to break more often and have a shorter lifespan. If this is the route you decide to go down, you should factor in more frequent servicing to extend the lifespan of your equipment as long as possible.
Training
We've already touched on training, but it's worth emphasising the significant impact it can have on the lifespan of your galley. Ensuring your crew use and cleans galley equipment properly is essential. Following training, some of our clients have seen issues with equipment drop by as much as 80%.
At Wathen Marine, we provide training on any equipment we supply or with our servicing plans. If your crew could benefit from proper training, we can work with you on a servicing and training plan to ensure you get the most out of your equipment.
Extending the lifespan of your galley comes down to sourcing the right equipment and then looking after it. We're proud to offer our clients a complete end-to-end solution, from design and manufacture to installation and servicing, ensuring they get great equipment that lasts. Get in touch to find out more.