In this episode of the Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Erick Kaseta from Ambro Controls for a wide-ranging, shop-talk-heavy conversation focused on real tools, real field experience, and doing the job the right way.

Pat and Erick kick things off by talking about how they first connected at AHR and why Ambro Controls has become such a go-to brand for technicians who value portability, safety, and efficiency. Erick breaks down Ambro’s mission of making the contractor’s life easier and explains how their mobile brazing systems deliver full oxy-acetylene performance in a lightweight, grab-and-go setup that saves time, space, and your shoulders.

The conversation dives deep into the Ambro product lineup, including the precision torch, standard torch, and power torch, and how each one fits different applications—from tight reach-ins and TXVs to larger commercial piping on rooftops. They also get into best practices for nitrogen purging, pressure testing, drain clearing, and working safely with flammable refrigerants like R290 and R600. Erick shares why purging isn’t just a “nice to have,” but a critical step in preventing call-backs and protecting components like TXVs.

Pat and Erick also talk refrigerants, thread sealants, and why Ambro’s AS-58 sealant stands out for vibration resistance, heat cycling, and cleaner application compared to traditional pipe dope. Education plays a big role in this episode, with discussion around contractor training, counter days, in-field demos, and why continuous learning is one of the biggest value-adds a technician can bring to customers.

The episode wraps with plenty of banter about the upcoming AHR Expo in Las Vegas—what makes it the Super Bowl of the trades, what Ambro has planned at the booth, giveaways, live demos, brazing challenges, and why techs should stop by, ask questions, and put tools in their hands. If you’re heading to AHR, this is a must-listen to get you fired up.

This episode is brought to you by Ambro Controls. If you’re tired of dragging heavy tanks across rooftops, through kitchens, or into tight mechanical rooms, it’s time to check out Ambro’s mobile brazing, purging, and gas solutions. From their lightweight oxy brazing systems and precision torches to nitrogen purging kits, R290 and R600 refrigerants, and AS-58 thread sealant, Ambro Controls is focused on making your job safer, easier, and more efficient. Built for contractors, tested in the field, and designed to save you time and wear and tear. Learn more and find a distributor near you at https://ambrocontrols.com/

Stay up to date with everything on the website

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#AmbroControls
#HVACR
#HVACTech
#RefrigerationTech
#SkilledTrades
#Brazing
#NitrogenPurging
#R290
#R600a
#FieldLife
#ToolTalk
#HVACTools
#AHRExpo
#TradeShowLife
#BlueCollar
#TechLife

What do you do when you open a panel and roaches start crawling out like they pay rent?

Or when grease has literally vacuum-sealed a fryer to the wall?

Or when you realize the ice machine you’re working on should probably be condemned… and set on fire?

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and Rich sit down together in person from South Carolina ahead of the CFESA Region 4 meeting to talk about the nasty side of the trade that nobody warns you about — but every technician eventually faces.

We’re talking real-world, in-the-trenches stories:
• Roaches living inside contactors and controllers
• Ice cream machines so bad they get declared “throw it away” on the spot
• Grease so thick it explodes wiring
• Dish machines full of yeast, flour, and nightmares
• Dead rats preserved in fryer grease (yes, really)
• Ice machines that should absolutely never be used again
• And installs so bad they make you question humanity

Beyond the horror stories, we also break down the important stuff:
How do you professionally address disgusting working conditions?
When do you walk away — and when do you push through?
How do you talk to customers without losing your mind (or your job)?
At what point do you say “this isn’t safe”?
And how do you keep roaches, grease, and filth from following you home in your tool bag?

If you’re a commercial kitchen equipment technician, HVAC tech, refrigeration tech, service manager, or anyone who’s ever worked behind the scenes in a restaurant — this episode will feel painfully familiar.

It’s gross.
It’s funny.
And it’s 100% real life in the field.

Sponsor Spotlight – Viper from Refrigeration Technologies

While Viper can’t get rid of roaches (and honestly… some of these stories might be beyond saving), they do help tackle one of the biggest contributors to nasty kitchen conditions: grease, grime, and buildup.

Viper from Refrigeration Technologies makes professional-grade cleaners and chemicals designed specifically for HVAC, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen environments. From heavy-duty degreasers to coil cleaners and specialty chemicals, Viper helps techs clean equipment properly, restore efficiency, and leave things better than they found them — even when the surroundings are less than ideal.

Because while you can’t always control how nasty a kitchen gets, you can control how well you clean and service the equipment you’re responsible for.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in:
commercial kitchen equipment repair
restaurant service and maintenance
HVAC and refrigeration
foodservice equipment technicians
CFESA-certified technicians
service managers and trainers

Subscribe, follow, and drop your own horror stories in the comments — because if you’ve been in the trade long enough, you’ve definitely got one.

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — the stories they don’t teach in training.

https://www.commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

n this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Dan Reese from CFESA to break down one of the biggest technician-focused initiatives our industry has ever launched — CFESA’s Top Tech Throwdown.

This isn’t about ego.
This isn’t about social media hype.
This is about skill, process, safety, and pride in the craft.

The Top Tech Throwdown is a skills-based competition built specifically for CFESA Master Certified Technicians, separating hot side and cold side competitors and testing what actually matters in the field — diagnostics, troubleshooting, theory, hands-on ability, documentation, and decision-making.

Seven stations.
Real-world scenarios.
Timed, judged, and scored by CFESA-certified trainers.

Regional winners walk away with prize packages, recognition, and an invitation to compete at the National Championship at CFESA Global Headquarters, where the stakes get even higher — including a championship belt, national recognition, and serious bragging rights.

If you’re a CFESA Master Tech, this is your moment.
Get uncomfortable.
Step up.
Show what you know.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself this:
If you’re confident in your skills, why not prove it?

And for owners and managers — this is a chance to showcase the technician who represents your company every single day in the field. Sending a tech to compete says something about your standards, your culture, and your commitment to excellence.

📣 Calling tool manufacturers and industry partners:
This competition is about highlighting the best technicians in foodservice equipment repair. Prize donations directly support technician development, recognition, and visibility across the industry. If you want your tools in the hands of top-tier techs — this is where you belong.

👉 Learn more and get signed up at CFESA.com → Events → Top Tech Throwdown

Let’s raise the bar.
Let’s showcase the trade.
Let’s find out who the Top Tech really is. 🔧🏆

More Info Here

https://cfesa.com/top-tech-throwdown/

Check out the website

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#CFESA
#TopTechThrowdown
#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#FoodserviceEquipmentRepair
#MasterTechnician
#CertifiedMasterTechnician
#ServiceTechnician
#SkilledTrades
#BlueCollarPride
#TechLife
#HotSideTech
#ColdSideTech
#RefrigerationTech
#CommercialRefrigeration
#RestaurantEquipmentRepair
#TradeSkills
#TechnicianTraining
#WorkforceDevelopment
#ToolsOfTheTrade
#BuiltForTheBest

Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast.

This episode is our official Year in Review, and it’s one of the most real conversations we’ve had all year. Pat Finley is joined by co-hosts Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega as we sit down to reflect on everything that went right, everything that went wrong, and everything we learned along the way.

With no guest and no script, we dig into the reality of life in the commercial kitchen equipment repair and HVACR world — from running service companies and managing technicians, to burnout, growth, family, customers, and the hard decisions that shape a career in the trades.

In this episode, we talk about:
• Wins, losses, and lessons from the past year
• Growing a service business and managing technicians
• Customers, expectations, and when to fire accounts
• Overtime, on-call life, and holiday service realities
• Training the next generation of techs
• CFESA, Top Tech Throwdown, and industry competitions
• Trade shows, AHR Expo, and networking in the trades
• Family life, work-life balance, and long-term goals
• Why relationships matter more than revenue
• What we’re changing — and what we’re doubling down on — next year

This is a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to survive and thrive in the skilled trades. If you’re a commercial kitchen technician, HVACR tech, service manager, business owner, or someone thinking about getting into the industry, this episode will hit home.

Whether you’re running calls, running a business, or just trying to figure out what’s next — you’re not alone.

🐍 Episode Sponsor: Viper / Refrigeration Technologies

This episode is brought to you by Viper / Refrigeration Technologies — the tech-trusted brand behind industry staples like Nylog, Big Blu leak detector, Viper wet rags, and the chemicals and tools technicians rely on every single day.

Built by techs, for techs, Viper products help you work cleaner, faster, and smarter in the field. If it’s on our trucks, there’s a reason.

Learn more at Refrigeration Technologies and see why Viper continues to support the skilled trades and the technicians who keep kitchens running. 🐍

🎧 Commercial Kitchen Chronicles
Real conversations. Real technicians. Real life in the trades.

Refrigeration Technologies

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#FoodserviceEquipmentRepair
#HVACR
#CommercialKitchen
#KitchenEquipmentRepair
#ServiceTechnician
#SkilledTrades
#BlueCollar
#TradeLife
#TechnicianLife
#FieldService
#ServiceIndustry
#RefrigerationTech
#HVACTech
#HotSideColdSide
#CFESA
#TopTechThrowdown
#TradeShows
#AHRExpo
#TechLife
#WorkLifeBalance
#YearInReview
#TradesPodcast
#IndustryTalk
#SupportTheTrades
#ViperTools
#RefrigerationTechnologies 🐍

What does it really take to walk away from a 28-year corporate career and start over in the skilled trades?

In this powerful episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, host Pat Finley sits down with Corrie Phillips, a commercial foodservice refrigeration technician who made the leap from the corporate world into HVACR and never looked back.

Corrie shares her raw, honest journey—from working behind a desk for nearly three decades to enrolling in technical school, taking a massive pay cut, and building a successful career in commercial refrigeration, warewashing, and kitchen equipment service. This conversation dives deep into what it’s really like to start over later in life, overcome imposter syndrome, and find purpose working with your hands in the trades.

This episode is packed with insight for:

• Anyone stuck in an office job dreaming of a career change

• New and aspiring HVACR or foodservice equipment technicians

• Women considering a career in the skilled trades

• Technicians navigating self-doubt, learning curves, and long days in the field

Corrie talks about learning the language of refrigeration, adapting to the chaos of commercial kitchens, building trust with customers, and why patience is one of the most important skills a technician can develop. She also shares how communication, customer service, and life experience can be just as valuable as technical knowledge.

You’ll also hear why refrigeration “clicked” for her, how mentorship and asking questions accelerated her growth, and why the trades offer financial freedom, job security, and real fulfillment—at any age.

• Transitioning from a 28-year corporate career into HVACR

• What it’s like starting over in the trades later in life

• Learning refrigeration, warewashing, hot side, and bakery equipment

• Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a technician

• Why communication skills matter just as much as technical skills

• The reality of working inside busy commercial kitchens

• Women in HVACR and foodservice equipment repair

• Advice for anyone considering trade school or a career change

If you’re not using Viper, you’re working too hard.

Viper by Refrigeration Technologies is built for the exact messes we deal with every day in commercial kitchens. Viper cuts grease, cleans condenser coils, and melts the nastiest buildup off kitchen equipment. It’s food safe, powerful, and proven in the field by technicians who actually use it.

Throw a bottle of Viper on the truck and make your next service call easier.
Learn more at https://www.refrigtech.com/

Follow Corrie on social media:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coolergirl_corrie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@coolergirl_corrie?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

If this episode inspired you, share it with someone stuck behind a desk who needs to hear this story.

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Welcome back to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast! Today’s guest is DJ Coblentz, the Lead Technical Trainer at Viega’s brand-new state-of-the-art Ohio facility. If you’ve ever pressed a fitting, installed MegaPress, fought with threaded gas pipe, or wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at Viega’s manufacturing and training center — THIS is the episode for you. DJ shares his journey from the field to the classroom, how Viega is reshaping the plumbing & mechanical trades, and why press technology continues taking over mechanical rooms and commercial jobsites everywhere. ⭐ What You’ll Learn in This Episode How DJ went from traditional plumbing work to becoming a lead trainer at Viega Behind-the-scenes insight on Viega’s new Ohio manufacturing + training hybrid facility Why press technology (Viega ProPress, MegaPress, copper press fittings) is dominating the industry How the trades provide financial freedom, career growth, and a lifelong skillset How training, apprenticeships, and vocational programs are reshaping the future of skilled trades Advice for young techs, plumbers, HVAC/R apprentices, and anyone entering the mechanical trades Why the branch connector, transition couplings, and MegaPress fittings are game-changing tools How Viega partners with contractors, students, supply houses, and trade schools 🏭 About Viega’s Brand-New Ohio Facility DJ walks us through: What Viega is now manufacturing in the U.S. (½”–1” copper 90s, couplings, repair couplings) Their upcoming MegaPress production line The unique catwalk tour that gives trainees a safe aerial view of real-time production Why U.S. manufacturing matters to the plumbing, mechanical, and HVAC/R trades How the facility is already impacting the local community and trade partners This is the only facility in the U.S. where manufacturing and training happen under one roof — and DJ gives us the inside scoop. DJ with Viega 🧰 DJ’s Favorite Viega Product You’ll love this part. DJ explains why the Viega Transition Coupling is one of the most underrated life-saving fittings in the industry — especially when dealing with old galvanized pipe, cast iron, copper, or PEX transitions in residential and commercial jobs. DJ with Viega 🧑‍🏫 Why Training Matters DJ breaks down: How Viega approaches modern technical training Why tradespeople benefit from both hands-on and virtual training (VTTs) Why humor, conversation, and real field talk create better learning environments How the trades can attract more young people and athletes with strong work ethics What keeps the trades fulfilling even when you leave fieldwork DJ with Viega 🚀 For Anyone Thinking About Joining the Trades DJ’s advice is clear: Try a ride-along Stay curious Invest in yourself The trades can change your life From buying a home to paying off college, raising a family, and building a meaningful career — DJ’s story is proof of the opportunity that lives in the plumbing & mechanical industries. DJ with Viega 📞 How to Sign Up for Viega Training You can learn more about in-person and virtual training by visiting: 👉 Viega.us (Find local reps, classes, and training centers) 👉 Ask your local supplier or Viega rep 👉 Join a Viega VTT (Virtual Tech Training) DJ with Viega ❓ Questions for the Audience Have you used Viega ProPress or MegaPress on gas lines, hydronics, refrigeration, or domestic water? What’s your favorite press-fitting time saver? Does your shop encourage training and apprenticeships? Have you visited a manufacturing facility like Viega’s before? What product or tool do you wish manufacturers would create next? Drop your answers in the comments — let’s talk shop.

Check out their website for all their upcoming trainings and more!

https://www.viega.us/en/homepage.html

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat and Jason sit down with Rhydon Atzenhoffer — the Voice of Distribution, host of the HVAC R&D Podcast, and a guy who has lived HVAC life from the trenches to the top.

Born and raised in his dad’s heating and air business in the mountains of North Carolina, Rhydon worked his way up from rough-in crews to sales, project management, and eventually wholesale distribution. Today he’s an Account Executive helping contractors build better businesses while still keeping the roots of the trade at the center of everything he does.

In this episode we dig into:
• Growing up in the trades, learning social intelligence from his dad, and what early field life taught him
• What distribution really looks like behind the scenes
• How contractors and distributors can build stronger relationships
• The evolution of residential and light commercial systems — and why training matters more than ever
• HVAC R&D’s five years of Shenanigans and how the show has impacted the trade community
• Mental burnout, balancing passion projects, and staying motivated when life hits hard
• The future of contractors, distribution, and the next five years of HVAC R&D

You’ll also hear stories about racing museums, bourbon collections, pallet-jack shenanigans, crawlspace confessions, Canadian fans, and why HVAC friendships hit different in this industry.

And of course — a Viper ad read to kick things off, because the green stuff gets it done right the first time.

Whether you're HVAC/R, foodservice repair, in distribution, or just love real trade-life conversations, this episode delivers laughs, lessons, and plenty of truth.

Check it out — and support HVAC R&D, the #TradeCrew, and the people who keep this industry moving.

Brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies

Looking for the toughest chemicals in the game? Viper from Refrigeration Technologies has you covered. From coil cleaners to leak detection and everything in between, Viper products are designed by techs, for techs — built to handle the nastiest jobs without wrecking your equipment. If you want reliable performance, safer chemistry, and products that actually work the way they should, grab Viper and get after it.

Rhydon Atzenhoffer

https://www.hvacrnd.com/

Refrigeration Technologies

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#HVAC
#HVACR
#HVACTech
#HVACLife
#HVACPodcast
#DistributionLife
#TradeCrew
#FoodserviceRepair
#CommercialKitchenChronicles
#CKC
#HVACRandD
#TradesPodcast
#BlueCollarNation
#SkilledTrades
#MechanicalContractor
#ServiceTech
#TradeLife
#ContractorLife
#TechTalk
#AHRExpo
#HVACTactical
#PodcastEpisode
#HVACCommunity
#HVACIndustry

In this powerhouse episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with industry legend John Bettiga—a man whose career spans automotive and marine mechanics, semi-hermetic compressor rebuilding, commercial/industrial/marine refrigeration, grocery rack systems, Whataburger facilities, building controls, kitchen design, and supporting 150+ technicians across 17 states.

This is one of the most wide-ranging and knowledge-packed conversations ever recorded on CKC, and it’s loaded with real-world stories, technical insight, career lessons, and the evolution of the entire HVACR, refrigeration, hot-side equipment, and facility management landscape.

John walks us through:
• Starting as a teenage auto/marine mechanic
• Jumping into semi-hermetic compressor rebuilds in the 70s/80s
• Riding in a service truck, learning by fire, and being thrown at massive mechanical systems
• Working grocery store rack refrigeration with HEB
• Moving home and joining Whataburger as a refrigeration mechanic & electrician
• Learning hot-side “by force”
• Diving into electronics and board repair
• Running a refurb depot for fryers, grills, coolers, and beverage equipment
• Becoming a building engineer for an 80,000 sq ft headquarters
• Managing major remodels, rebuilds, and design projects
• Designing the kitchen layout Whataburger still uses today
• Being an early adopter of building controls (CPC/Emerson E2, RS-485 networks, automation)
• Supporting 150+ techs across 17 states with refrigeration, HVAC, and control-system troubleshooting

From 120º ship engine rooms… to rack systems with 300 lbs of lost refrigerant… to fryer redesigns… to the rise of communication-enabled commercial equipment—John has seen it all, fixed it all, and helped shape modern foodservice facility design.

If you’re into commercial kitchen repair, HVACR diagnostics, refrigeration systems, rack refrigeration, marine HVAC, building automation, hot-side equipment troubleshooting, facility innovation, EMS systems, commercial kitchen design, or technician development, this episode is a goldmine.

John drops deep topics like:
• How technicians should approach unfamiliar equipment
• Why electronics changed everything
• The truth about controls vs equipment failure
• The biggest skill gaps in today’s tech workforce
• Why ventilation is the silent killer of commercial kitchens
• What separates a “good tech” from a high-level tech
• How communication tech and remote troubleshooting are reshaping the trade
• Why seeking training—on your own—is the ultimate career cheat code

And of course… some wild stories:
• A grocery case explosion that launched a customer into her own shopping cart
• 120º boiler rooms inside oil tankers
• Construction crews building restaurants wrong and having to tear out walls
• Old-school ice machines that diagnosed themselves
• And plenty more…

This episode is the perfect blend of trade history, tech wisdom, design philosophy, field troubleshooting, and real-world storytelling from one of the most well-rounded professionals in the industry.

If you’re a technician, trainer, designer, engineer, or someone looking to grow in the foodservice equipment or HVACR world—this is a must-listen.

Proudly brought to you by Viper from refrigeration Technologies

“Hey Technicians! 👨‍🔧 👩‍🔧 Looking for products that were designed by technicians, for technicians? Look no further than Refrigeration Technologies. Their motto? Comfort through chemistry.

From super-sensitive leak-detection solutions that catch the tiniest refrigerant escapes, to their Viper coil-cleaners that blast away grease and grime—even around food zones!

Need rugged welding support, OEM-approved non-contaminating sealants, or full-suite HVAC/R chemical solutions? They’ve got you covered.

So next job? Gear up with Refrigeration Technologies. and work smarter, safer, better. Visit https://www.refrigtech.com/ and level-up your service game. 💪🔧

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/