The engineers at C&C Catering Engineers manage and solve every possible problem relating to catering equipment. That means a lot of spare parts. One of the most commonly replaced parts in the industrial kitchen is the ‘thermocouple’ – a flame safety device that ensures the flow of gas is automatically shut off, if the flame on a gas appliance is accidently extinguished. It is the most replaced piece of equipment on all gas devices, the importance of which cannot be underestimated.

It is imperative that thermocouples on all gas appliances are regularly maintained and replaced in a timely fashion. In terms of lifespan, a thermocouple can, on average, last between 12-18 months in an average-use catering environment, such as a hotel. However, a busier industrial setting such as a large school will require the replacement of these parts after a period of 6-10 months.

At a cost of £20 each, the replacement of a thermocouple won’t break the bank, but the alternative can be damaging. Gas appliances without a thermocouple or with a faulty one can, in extreme circumstances, cause an explosion. At the very least, the equipment will be deemed unfit for purpose. Older appliances which are between 35-50 years of age are the worst offenders, although it is now rare to find such appliances in modern environments. And of course, these pieces of equipment are now against British safety regulations. Overall, responding to the needs of your catering equipment and ensuring regular maintenance is undertaken will protect the life of your machine and most importantly, prevent health and safety issues.