Hi Bewatkin:
Our experience with used refrigeration has been very bad. We had refrigeration technicians on staff that went over every unit we sold. Unfortunately compressors are hermetically sealed in a metal can and there is no way to open them and inspect the innards of the compressor, which is the hart of the system.
Almost every used unit we sold failed within a year, some sooner, some later, few gave th buyer the service they expected.
Many buyers lost more in spoiled food product than they saved buying used. We do not now sell used refrigeration. I think most equipment dealers are of this same opinion.
Hobart mixers if reconditioned by a competent technician are about as good as new. Most dough rollers can be sucessfully reconditioned.
Fryers are not a highly expensive item I recommend new, as the pot can look great but spring a leak
after a few months use.
Ovens: Most used conveyor ovens are of older technology and if not rebuilt with the latest energy saving burners modulating gas valves better electronics and fresh wiring, I would urge you not to consider them.
You should have a service man you trust inspect any used oven you may consider to determine if those improvements have been made.
If you buy an oven that has not been up graded as above you will usually be paying 30% more for gas and 40% more for electricity for the conveyor and blowers. The result, you will have shortly spent what you would have paid for a modern unit and still be paying higher operating costs as long as you run your used unit.
Properly rebuilt Conveyor ovens are almost as costly as new and you do not get the 5 year warranty that is available on some new ovens.
Hoods: The code for hoods has changed dramatically in the last few years. Hoods that do not carry a UL or ETL certification of the amount of exhaust air required, usually will be required to exhaust up to double the CFM of air.
Every bit of air exhausted is required to be brought back in to the building. Most certified hoods are designed to bring a large portion of that (MAKE UP AIR) back through the hood and exhaust that air internally through the hood it self with out the air entering the room. As any air that enters the room must be warmed in the winter and cooled in the summer, there are savings of many thousands of dollars when a properly designed hood and ventilation system is used.
George Mills
