Episode 309. 3rd Anniversary Listener Favourite Countdown #3 (Episode 203. Supermarket Refrigeration Service Tech Tips with Andrew Freeburg)
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Release Date: 05/22/2025
Episode 335. 5 Tips for Moving Up In The Refrigeration Industry
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode of the Refrigeration Mentor Podcast, I’m sharing 5 tips that will help you get you to the the next level of your refrigeration career. These extend beyond the technical skills and into personal development, including building leadership and communication skills, understanding project management basics, expanding industry knowledge and networking. These actionable tips will help technicians transition into new and higher roles and tremendously expand your potential for income and career...
info_outline
Episode 334. 10-Point Rack Preventative Maintenance Checklist
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, I’m sharing a 10-point preventative maintenance checklist for supermarket refrigeration systems. Having a comprehensive maintenance checklist is so important and will greatly speed up your efficiency on service calls. This list covers everything from visual inspections, to checking compressor health, verifying electrical components, and ensuring proper refrigerant circuits. Having this standard go-to checklist will help technicians elevate their troubleshooting ability, improve the longevity...
info_outline
Episode 333. Training and Troubleshooting Tips to Level Up Your Career
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, we digging into the importance of ongoing training and education in the refrigeration industry, particularly as the season transitions to fall. From basic supermarket training programs to advanced concepts, there’s so much value in understanding the engineering aspects of refrigeration systems for any technicians aiming to enhance their troubleshooting skills, confidence, and career growth. This episode also includes success stories from technicians who have advanced rapidly by investing...
info_outline
Episode 332. 7 Transcritical CO2 Refrigeration Service & Maintenance Tips
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, I’m sharing 7 essential service and maintenance tips for transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems. These tips will help refrigeration technicians build confidence and capability in handling CO2 systems. They include building a baseline snapshot, ensuring gas cooler health, optimizing high-pressure valves, stabilizing flash tanks, maintaining proper superheat, managing oil return, and emphasizing safety. I also cover practical field checks and signs to look for when on service calls that will...
info_outline
Episode 331. Compressor Electrical Failures
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, we take an in-depth look at compressor electrical failures. We’ll break down common issues such as burnt motor windings, short to ground, oil contamination, single phasing, and more. We’ll also cover the importance of thorough diagnostics, regular checklists, and understanding the root causes to prevent repeat failures. This episode is packed with practical tips and techniques for troubleshooting and improving your skills in refrigeration maintenance and repair. In this episode, we discuss:...
info_outline
Episode 330. Oil Issues in Refrigeration Systems
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this conversation, we’re going over oil troubleshooting in refrigeration systems. This episode covers common issues like dirty systems, plugged filters, and improper system designs that can lead to oil failures. We’ll also talk about pressure differentials, proper installation practices, efficiency tests and mechanical issues like short cycling and blow-by. Understanding how to identify oil issues on service calls will help refrigeration technicians troubleshoot more efficiently and better serve your...
info_outline
Episode 329. The Ins & Outs of Compressors
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, we go deep into detail about understanding the ins and outs of compressors. We cover everything from components, to common mistakes refrigeration technicians make when it comes to compressors, to practical tips for troubleshooting and finding the root cause of compressor issues. Understanding compressors is critical to helping technicians with efficiency and time management on service calls. In this episode, we discuss: -Compressor components -Advanced compressor troubleshooting -Avoiding...
info_outline
Episode 328. Customer Service Tips
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at This conversation is about how to level up your customer service skills. These softer skills are rarely taught out in the field or in school, but they are critical to a successful and enjoyable career in refrigeration. This episode includes practical tips on active listening, communication, and building relationships with customers - tools which will improve both your professional and personal life, guaranteed. I’ll also share details on a new customer service training program by Refrigeration Mentor. In...
info_outline
Episode 327. Electrical Troubleshooting Strategy
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, we’re going over electrical troubleshooting - one of the more common challenges refrigeration technicians face in the field. We cover understanding controls and electrical systems, creating and using wiring diagrams and having a systematic process for electrical troubleshooting. We’ll also talk about safety precautions and the value of investing in quality tools - altogether will help refrigeration technicians diagnose and repair systems more efficiently. In this episode, we discuss:...
info_outline
Episode 326. Mastering A2L TX Valves with Jamie Kitchen of Danfoss
The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at In this episode, we uncover the ins and outs of TX valves, including installation, sizing, settings, and troubleshooting. Joining us is Jamie Kitchen from Danfoss, who shares his vast knowledge on TX valves and the importance of proper setup to avoid common pitfalls. We dive into the principles of superheat, subcooling, and the differences between internal and external equalized TXVs. You’ll also learn how to size valves correctly, the significance of maintaining airflow, and the best practices for adjusting...
info_outlineJoin the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here
Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses
This month we’re celebrating the 3 year anniversary of the Refrigeration Mentor Podcast by re-releasing some of our top downloaded podcasts from the past 3 years - ones you expressed how it changed your refrigeration career and your life. Thanks to all of you tuning in and for all your reviews and comments, which help people discover the podcast on all our platforms. And thanks for helping us build this Refrigeration Mentor community all over the world over these 3 years. Number 3 in our countdown is Episode 203. "Supermarket Refrigeration Service Tech Tips with Andrew Freeburg."
In this episode, we discuss:
-A step-by-step walkthrough of an efficient service call
-Importance of good communication with a customer
-Questions to ask a customer to assess a service call
-How to do an effective visual inspection
-Why to divide your tools into different sets
-Importance of understanding electrical circuits
-Providing highly detailed invoices to customers
-Understanding controls
-Not just repairing problems, but determining why the problem occurred
-Finding a mentor in the refrigeration trade
-Creating a service call checklist
Helpful resources & links:
Episode 251. Supermarket Refrigeration Service and Troubleshooting Tips
Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn