Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

Hosted by Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

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207

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Oct 2026

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About the show

A look at what it takes to keep a commercial kitchen running. We are going to highlight all of the skilled trades it takes to keep them running.

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October 23, 202655 min

Episode 207: Six Figures at 21?! Is KyleDoesHVAC Changing the Rules of HVAC/R Success?

Six Figures at 21: The Next Generation of HVAC/R with KyleDoesHVAC 21 years old. Two years in HVAC/R. Six-figure income. And responsible for helping maintain more than 1,100 compressors. Meanwhile, there are technicians who've spent 20 years in the industry and still haven't reached that level of income. So what's Kyle Coleman doing differently? Is it hard work, the right opportunities, or is the next generation of technicians rewriting the rules of success in the skilled trades? This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles – The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast , we're joined by Kyle Coleman, better known as @KyleDoesHVAC , for a conversation that challenges some long-held beliefs about experience, earning potential, and what it really takes to succeed in HVAC/R. Kyle didn't follow the traditional path. From struggling academically and spending his teenage years playing video games to working grueling hours in the oil fields, attending HVAC school, and building a six-figure career in commercial HVAC/R, his journey is anything but ordinary. Today, Kyle helps maintain 32 Braum's Ice Cream locations across Kansas and Oklahoma , covering HVAC, commercial refrigeration, and foodservice equipment. He's also built a social media audience of more than 23,000 followers by sharing his experiences, technical knowledge, and career advice. But here's where the conversation gets interesting. Does experience automatically equal value? Are younger technicians being underestimated? And are employers doing enough to recognize and reward technicians who are willing to put in the work? We're getting into all of it. 🔧 Kyle's journey from an uncertain teenager to a six-figure HVAC/R technician. 💰 How he reached six figures at 21 and what it actually took to get there. ❄️ The challenges of maintaining commercial HVAC, refrigeration, and kitchen equipment across 32 restaurant locations. 🎓 HVAC school versus real-world experience and the importance of hands-on training. 👊 The generational divide between younger and experienced technicians. 📱 Building @KyleDoesHVAC and navigating criticism, social media, and industry recognition. 🤝 Why mentorship, humility, and surrounding yourself with the right people matter. 🚀 How ambition, work ethic, and recognizing opportunities can accelerate your career. Is Kyle an exception to the rule, or proof that the HVAC/R industry needs to rethink how we measure success? Whether you're a seasoned technician, someone just getting started, an employer struggling to recruit young talent, or someone considering a career in the skilled trades, this is a conversation worth hearing. This episode is brought to you by Ambro Controls , supporting the technicians and professionals who keep our industry moving. https://ambrocontrols.com/ 📱 Follow Kyle Coleman: @KyleDoesHVAC https://www.instagram.com/kyledoeshvac 🎙️ Follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platforms. 🌐 https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ ⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, leave us a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that success in the skilled trades isn't determined by age alone. The next generation isn't waiting 20 years to make its mark on this industry. The question is, are we ready to support them? #CommercialKitchenChronicles #KyleDoesHVAC #AmbroControls #HVACR #CommercialRefrigeration #SkilledTrades #HVACTechnician #FoodserviceEquipmentRepair #BlueCollar #HVACCareers

October 16, 202651 min

Episode 206: Breaking Barriers & Building Confidence in HVAC with HVAC.Clara

You don't have to know everything to belong in the skilled trades. But are we doing enough to help the next generation succeed? In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , we head to Ontario, Canada, to sit down with Clara, better known as @HVAC.Clara , for an honest conversation about life as an HVAC service technician, breaking into the skilled trades, and building confidence one service call at a time. After working at McDonald's and being unsure of her career path, Clara stumbled into an HVAC program and discovered a career she loves. Now, with her G2 gas license and refrigeration apprenticeship underway, she's navigating everything from residential furnaces and heat pumps to commercial refrigeration. But this conversation goes well beyond troubleshooting equipment! 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: 🔧 Finding Your Place in HVAC: Discovering a passion for service work, troubleshooting, and fixing equipment. 🇨🇦 Canada vs. United States: Differences in HVAC licensing, apprenticeships, Red Seal certification, and technician development. 💪 Building Confidence: Running your own service van, handling unfamiliar equipment, asking for help, and realizing experienced technicians don't know everything. ❄️ Residential vs. Commercial HVAC/R: Transitioning into commercial refrigeration and learning from every service call. 👩‍🔧 Women in the Skilled Trades: Working in a male-dominated industry and encouraging more women to pursue HVAC careers. 👶 Motherhood & Work-Life Balance: Balancing service work, raising a young child, and personal growth. 📱 Social Media & HVAC Content Creation: Building an online presence, dealing with trolls, criticism, and connecting with technicians. 🎯 The Future of the Trades: What needs to change to attract, train, and retain the next generation. Clara shares stories from the field, the realities of being an apprentice, and why she's not afraid to admit when she's still learning. Find CLara here: https://www.instagram.com/hvac.clara/?hl=en Whether you're an HVAC apprentice, experienced technician, refrigeration mechanic, instructor, or considering a career in the trades, this conversation is for you! 🐍 PROUDLY SPONSORED BY VIPER FROM REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGIES! If you work in commercial kitchens, you know grease gets everywhere, especially on coils! Viper Coil Cleaners from Refrigeration Technologies offer professional cleaning solutions designed to tackle heavy buildup without relying on harsh acids. Their non-corrosive, technician-friendly formulas help keep HVAC/R and commercial refrigeration equipment clean and operating efficiently. Make sure Viper is on your truck! Learn more: https://www.refrigtech.com 🎙️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Does the HVAC industry do enough to support apprentices and encourage women to enter the trades? Or are we making it harder than necessary? 👇 Share your thoughts! 📲 CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Instagram: @HVAC.Clara 🎧 FOLLOW COMMERCIAL KITCHEN CHRONICLES: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and your favorite podcast platforms. 🌐 https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com ⭐ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review, share it with a fellow technician, and help us highlight the people keeping the skilled trades moving forward! Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. #CommercialKitchenChronicles #HVACClara #WomenInHVAC #WomenInTrades #HVACR #HVACTechnician #HVACApprentice #CommercialRefrigeration #SkilledTrades #HVACPodcast #Viper #RefrigerationTechnologies #TradeCareers

October 9, 202659 min

Episode 205: uilt Different: Raising the Standard in HVAC Training with Josh Pickel

Are we actually developing skilled technicians, or are we just rushing people through training to fill empty service trucks? In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , Pat Finley sits down with 26-year HVAC veteran, instructor, and newly published author Josh Pickel , better known as “Professor Pickel,” for a conversation about training, technician development, leadership, and what it really means to be BUILT DIFFERENT. Josh started his career in HVAC straight out of high school and spent nearly two decades working for a company in Pennsylvania before eventually making his way to Florida. Today, he's a Senior Service Technician and the Director and Lead Instructor of Anthony's Cool School , where he's helping prepare the next generation of HVAC professionals. But Josh isn't interested in simply handing students a certificate and sending them into the field. His approach focuses on building strong fundamentals, developing critical thinking, creating opportunities for hands-on learning, and continuing to support technicians long after they leave the classroom. We get into some important conversations about the future of the skilled trades: Can a six-week accelerated HVAC program really prepare someone for a career in the field? What's the difference between teaching someone technical information and developing a competent technician? Are we doing enough to mentor and support new technicians? Why do refrigeration fundamentals and airflow matter so much in HVAC training? How important are communication, accountability, leadership, and mindset to a technician's success? What responsibility do technicians have for their own continued education and professional growth? We also dive into Josh's newly published book, Built Different: Dirty Hands, Clear Minds, and the Blue Collar Path to a Life Worth Living . Josh shares the personal story behind writing the book, the encouragement he received from his wife, and why he believes the skilled trades offer something much bigger than a paycheck. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation? You don't have to completely reinvent yourself overnight. Just make an intentional effort to get 1% better every day. Whether you're an HVAC technician, commercial refrigeration technician, foodservice equipment repair professional, instructor, service manager, or someone considering a career in the trades, there's something in this conversation for you. Grease, dirt, and buildup are everyday challenges when servicing commercial kitchen refrigeration and HVAC equipment. Get your copy here https://amzn.to/4emPsXE Viper coil cleaners from Refrigeration Technologies are designed to tackle heavy buildup with non-corrosive, technician-safe cleaning solutions that help keep equipment operating efficiently. Keep Viper on your truck and be ready for the next dirty coil. Learn more: https://www.refrigtech.com Do you believe we're doing enough to properly train and develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals? Are we building competent technicians, or just trying to get more people into service trucks? We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions in the comments. Subscribe to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles , share this episode with another technician, and help us continue highlighting the people, stories, and challenges shaping the foodservice equipment repair and HVACR industries. Visit: https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. For Techs. By Techs. #CommercialKitchenChronicles #JoshPickel #BuiltDifferent #HVAC #HVACR #SkilledTrades #HVACTraining #TechnicianDevelopment #CommercialRefrigeration #BlueCollar #TradeEducation #RefrigerationTechnologies #Viper

September 25, 20261 hr 0 min

Episode 204: More Than a Clogged Drain: Making a Career in Drain Cleaning with Dylan

A clogged drain might look like a simple service call, but there’s a whole lot more happening underground. On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Dylan Bradley, aka The Sewer Slug, to talk about building a career in plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer diagnostics, and underground repair. Dylan’s path into the trades wasn’t planned. After earning a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science and working with children with disabilities, COVID changed his career trajectory. He needed something stable, which eventually led him into drain cleaning. What he initially hated became a career he genuinely enjoys. Now a journeyman plumber with roughly seven years in the trade, Dylan specializes in drain and sewer work, including cable machines, flex shafts, hydro jetting, camera inspections, locating, underground excavation, sewer repair, pipe lining, and trenchless technology. We dive into how technology is changing drain and sewer work. Repairing a sewer line doesn’t always mean destroying a yard, sidewalk, basement, or street. Dylan explains pipe lining, patching, pipe bursting, and other trenchless options that can reduce excavation and restoration. We also discuss why camera inspections matter after clearing a blockage. Clearing the drain fixes the immediate problem, but understanding WHY it backed up can help prevent another service call. And yes—we get into the nasty stuff. Grease traps, commercial kitchens, garbage disposals, backed-up toilets, restaurant drain lines, and things that absolutely should NOT have gone down a drain. We also talk about listening to customers during diagnosis, the physical demands of drain cleaning, choosing the right equipment, continuing education, and where Dylan sees the drain and sewer industry heading. Whether you’re a plumber, drain cleaner, HVAC/R technician, commercial kitchen equipment technician, apprentice, or someone considering a skilled-trades career, this episode gives you a look into just how technical and specialized drain cleaning can be. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY VIPER Viper products from Refrigeration Technologies are designed by technicians for technicians. From Viper WetRag Heat Blocking Putty and coil cleaners to Nylog Blue, Big Blu leak detector, Pan & Drain Treatment, and more, Viper makes products designed for the technicians actually doing the work. Check out the complete Viper lineup from Refrigeration Technologies. https://www.refrigtech.com/ FOLLOW DYLAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesewerslug/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyls.schleigh YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSewersSlug SUPPORT CKC Follow or subscribe to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on your favorite podcast platform, leave us a rating or review, and share this episode with another technician or tradesperson. Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ Merch Store https://commercial-kitchen-chronicles-rmq-shop.fourthwall.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUiYZVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUpLdDdzcWtBd2tCQ3ZDMVBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeW3P1nw1woby5PrZ2WJHFkGg4GyLRLNwU35Pv3nwN5dh6JdXF990zeTDz4_M_aem_nunY6SvOarP5_0QXOQUtmw #CommercialKitchenChronicles #DrainCleaning #Plumbing #SewerRepair #DrainCleaner #TrenchlessTechnology #PipeLining #HydroJetting #SkilledTrades #CommercialPlumbing #HVACR #CommercialKitchen

September 11, 20261 hr 1 min

Episode 203: 28 Years Old & Running an HVAC Company | Total HVAC

At 28 years old, Mitch Noto is already a licensed HVAC contractor, business owner, technician, installer, and the creator behind Total HVAC. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Mitch to talk about what it's really like building a career in HVAC while taking on the responsibility of running a business. Mitch grew up around the trade and eventually stepped into the family HVAC business, but his path wasn't as simple as deciding from day one that HVAC was going to be his career. We talk about how his perspective on the trades changed, getting licensed, taking on more responsibility, and realizing just how much opportunity exists in HVAC. But owning an HVAC company isn't just buying a van, filling it with tools, and waiting for the money to roll in. Mitch gets into the reality of finding customers, advertising, quoting work, ordering parts, handling warranties, underbidding jobs, and figuring things out as you go. Sometimes you quote a job wrong, something unexpected happens, and you have to eat some of the cost, keep the customer happy, learn from it, and move on. We also get into a topic that needs more discussion: young technicians entering the skilled trades. There's no shortage of people saying the younger generation "doesn't want to work," yet we're watching 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds buy service vans, start companies, learn the trade, and build businesses. They may not approach the industry exactly like the generation before them—but that doesn't mean they're afraid to work. Mitch has also experienced what happens when a young technician walks into a customer's home and immediately has his knowledge questioned because of his age. Sometimes the best response is doing the job, diagnosing the problem correctly, and letting your work prove what you know. We cover: • Growing up around an HVAC business • Becoming a licensed HVAC contractor • Technician vs. business owner mentality • The realities of starting an HVAC company • Finding customers and advertising • Underbidding jobs and learning from mistakes • Young technicians entering the skilled trades • Service work vs. installation • Digital HVAC tools vs. old-school fundamentals • Social media and the HVAC creator community • Creating content while still getting the work done • Handling criticism from people who only see a short clip 🔥 SPONSORED BY VIPER This episode is powered by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. From Nylog Blue and Big Blu leak detector to coil cleaners, drain treatments, and other chemicals built for HVACR professionals, Viper products are made for technicians who need products that work in the real world. If you're turning wrenches in HVACR, check out the full lineup from Refrigeration Technologies and ask for Viper products at your local HVACR supply house. https://www.refrigtech.com/ Mitch represents a generation of technicians who aren't waiting around for someone else to build their careers for them. They're learning, getting licensed, starting businesses, creating content, networking, and finding their own place in the industry. Whether you're an HVAC technician, contractor, apprentice, business owner, instructor, or someone considering the skilled trades, this conversation has something for you. 🎧 Check out the full episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. If you enjoy conversations with the technicians, contractors, manufacturers, trainers, and creators actually working in the trades, FOLLOW the show, leave a review, and SHARE this episode with another technician. Would you rather become a top-level technician or eventually take the risk and start your own company? Follow Mitch on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok: Total_HVAC. https://www.youtube.com/@Total_hvac https://www.instagram.com/total_hvac/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@total_hvac Commercial Kitchen Chronicles — The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

September 4, 202655 min

Episode 202: Matthew Lemaster, Are We Preparing HVACR Techs for the Real World?

What does it really take to prepare the next generation of HVACR technicians for the field? This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Matthew LeMaster, HVACR instructor at the University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College, to talk about what happens between the classroom and that first real service call. Matthew didn’t originally plan on becoming an instructor. After working in commercial HVAC and serving as a field supervisor, a phone call from one of his former instructors opened the door to teaching. Once he stepped into the classroom, he was hooked. Today, he helps lead a nationally accredited HVACR program focused on giving students more than just enough knowledge to pass a test. We get into the realities of HVACR education, including one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry: graduating from trade school doesn’t automatically make someone a fully independent service technician. Matthew explains why his goal is to get students roughly 85–90% of the way there, while internships, mentorship, employer training, and real-world experience finish the job. We also dig into: • Why HVACR theory still matters before touching the equipment • Teaching troubleshooting instead of just memorizing procedures • Why AIRFLOW needs more attention in HVACR training • Why gauges shouldn't always be the first tool out of the bag • Analog gauges vs. digital manifolds and probes • Using technology without letting it replace actual understanding • Building confidence in new technicians • Why soft skills and customer service are critical to a technician's success • What employers should realistically expect from new graduates • Getting manufacturers and contractors more involved with trade schools • Why instructors need to stay connected to the field • The strengths—and challenges—of the next generation of HVACR technicians • ESCO, HVAC Excellence, and Matthew's CSME in Technical Education • What Matthew wants his legacy as an instructor to ultimately be One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple: training technicians isn't just about refrigeration cycles, electrical troubleshooting, superheat, subcooling, airflow, or knowing how to use a meter. It's about developing technicians who can THINK, troubleshoot, communicate with customers, adapt to technology, and continue learning after they leave the classroom. Matthew also shares why he wants every student who comes through his program to know they were seen, heard, and supported—not treated like another number. https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-lemaster-3493653a3/ https://www.escogroup.org/ 🐍 THIS EPISODE IS SUPPORTED BY VIPER Today's episode is brought to you by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. From coil cleaners and drain treatments to specialty chemicals designed for HVAC/R professionals, Viper products are built for technicians who need products that work in the real world. Whether you're servicing HVAC, refrigeration, or commercial kitchen equipment, check out Viper and the complete lineup from Refrigeration Technologies. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you're an HVACR technician, instructor, contractor, service manager, trade school student, or anyone concerned about where the next generation of skilled trades professionals is coming from, this is a conversation worth hearing. Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast, bringing together technicians, trainers, manufacturers, educators, and industry leaders to have the conversations that move the skilled trades forward. 👉 Subscribe and follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles so you don't miss an episode. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ 👍 If this episode brought you value, share it with another technician, instructor, student, or service manager. 💬 What do YOU think HVACR programs and employers need to do differently to prepare the next generation of technicians? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

August 30, 20261 hr 18 min

Episode 201: Heatcraft’s Chris Thomas Talks Refrigeration, Training & the Future

Commercial refrigeration is changing fast—but the fundamentals still matter. In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with Chris Thomas of Heatcraft Refrigeration Products for a deep dive into refrigeration, technician training, troubleshooting, system charging, controls, and where the industry is headed. Chris brings more than four decades of HVAC/R experience, from residential and commercial HVAC to chillers, supermarket rack refrigeration, technical training, field support, and his current role supporting technicians and products at Heatcraft. We get into Heatcraft itself, including the history behind brands like Bohn, Larkin, Chandler, Climate Control, and Magna, along with the evolution of refrigeration controls from Beacon to today's intelliGen platform. One of the biggest themes of this episode is something every technician needs to hear: Understanding how equipment is SUPPOSED to operate is the foundation of troubleshooting it when something goes wrong. Chris explains how modern controls can give technicians valuable system information before they arrive on site—including temperatures, superheat, operating conditions, and even the ability to initiate a defrost remotely. Technology isn't replacing the technician. It's giving a knowledgeable technician better information. But technology can't replace fundamentals. We talk about technician curiosity, asking WHY instead of simply looking for an answer, learning sequence of operation, reaching out for help, and investing as much into training as we invest into tools. Then we get into a conversation guaranteed to get refrigeration technicians talking: How should you actually charge a commercial refrigeration system? Chris breaks down charging problems Heatcraft encounters in the field and why relying on shortcuts, rules of thumb, or a clear sight glass can send technicians in the wrong direction. We discuss receivers, line length, refrigerant differences, manufacturer charging information, and why system design and application matter. We also talk about proper installation and maintenance. Even the best refrigeration equipment depends on correct sizing, installation, commissioning, service, and maintenance. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Pat get into: • Commercial refrigeration troubleshooting • Heatcraft refrigeration equipment • Bohn, Larkin, Chandler & other Heatcraft brands • intelliGen refrigeration controls • Walk-in cooler and freezer systems • Refrigeration system charging • Sight glasses and refrigerant charge • Receivers and liquid-line considerations • Superheat and subcooling • System sizing and application • OEM technical support • Technician training and continuing education • Analog vs. digital refrigeration tools • Troubleshooting without jumping to conclusions • Building strong fundamentals • The future of commercial refrigeration Whether you're a seasoned refrigeration technician, just getting started in HVAC/R, or responsible for training the next generation, there's something in this conversation for you. The biggest takeaway? Stay curious. The technicians who keep asking questions, keep learning, understand the fundamentals, and aren't afraid to admit when they don't know something are the technicians who will be prepared for whatever refrigeration throws at us next. https://www.heatcraftrpd.com/ Catch up with Chris Thomas https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-thomas-8b12031b2/ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is the original foodservice equipment repair podcast—built by technicians, for technicians. If you work on commercial refrigeration, walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, restaurant equipment, HVAC/R, ice machines, cooking equipment, warewashing equipment, or foodservice equipment, follow Commercial Kitchen Chronicles so you don't miss the next episode. If you enjoyed the conversation, leave a rating or review and share it with another technician. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

August 28, 20261 hr 8 min

Episode 200: 200 Episodes Later… We’re Just Getting Started | Commercial Kitchen Chronicles

WE MADE IT TO 200! Commercial Kitchen Chronicles officially hits EPISODE 200! What started as a way to talk shop and shine a light on the foodservice equipment repair industry has somehow turned into 200 episodes of technicians, manufacturers, trainers, business owners, skilled trades conversations, questionable opinions, trash talking, and plenty of completely unscripted moments. For Episode 200, Pat is joined by Jason Latimer and Rich Ortega to celebrate the milestone, look back at the journey, and talk about where everyone — and the industry — is headed next. We get into career changes, growing businesses, training technicians, developing the next generation of tradespeople, and what happens when your career starts taking you in directions you never expected. Pat breaks down the CFESA Top Tech Throwdown and the effort that went into creating a hands-on competition designed to showcase the skills of commercial food equipment service technicians. Refrigeration, brazing, troubleshooting and real-world technical skills were put front and center. That leads into a bigger conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing the skilled trades: developing young technicians. Instead of constantly complaining that nobody wants to work anymore, maybe it's time we ask ourselves what we're doing to teach, mentor and create opportunities for the people entering the industry. Rich also gives us an update on growing his service business, hiring technicians, adding office support and reaching the point where NOT hiring someone becomes a bigger risk than making the investment. And because this is CKC, we eventually get completely sidetracked. Trade shows, AHR Expo, NAFEM, HVAC Tactical Awards, social media, AI-generated content, the future of CKC and plenty of other topics make their way into the conversation. But we couldn't celebrate EPISODE 200 without going BIG. THE CKC EPISODE 200 GIVEAWAY IS HERE! Some incredible companies from across the industry stepped up with tools, equipment, swag and prizes to help us celebrate, including TruTech Tools, UEI Test Instruments, Ambro Controls, Refrigeration Technologies, Kolpak, Kason and more. Watch Commercial Kitchen Chronicles social media for giveaway details and your chance to win. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ VIPER & REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGIES Two hundred episodes means a lot of conversations about doing the job right — and that starts with having products you can trust in the field. That's why we're proud to have Viper from Refrigeration Technologies supporting Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. From Viper WetRag Heat Blocking Putty and Venom Packs to Nylog Blue, Big Blu leak detector and the chemicals technicians reach for every day, Refrigeration Technologies builds products specifically for HVAC/R and refrigeration professionals. Whether you're brazing, leak checking, cleaning coils or servicing refrigeration equipment, check out the Viper lineup from Refrigeration Technologies. Support the companies that support technicians and the skilled trades. https://www.refrigtech.com/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Episode 200 isn't really about a number. It's about everyone who has watched a livestream, downloaded an episode, left a comment, shared a video, stopped us at a trade show, appeared as a guest, supported the show or told another technician about Commercial Kitchen Chronicles. YOU are the reason we made it here. And we're not finished. Listen to the full episode, subscribe, share it with another technician and leave us a comment: How long have you been following CKC, and what do you want to see from us over the next 200 episodes? Thanks for helping us get to 200. Now let's see where this thing goes next. Want to be a guest on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles? Interested? Shoot me a DM and let’s get you on the schedule. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

August 21, 20261 hr 11 min

Episode 199: Hands-On Isn’t Enough: Rethinking HVAC Training

What actually makes great HVAC training? It isn't memorizing a PowerPoint, following a checklist, or teaching technicians to become parts changers. Great training should teach technicians how to THINK, troubleshoot, ask questions, find reliable information, and understand why a system is doing what it's doing. This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with HVACR trainer, consultant, researcher, and longtime technician Eric Kaiser for a conversation focused heavily on HVAC training, technician development, building performance, troubleshooting, and the future of the skilled trades. Eric started in the HVAC trade more than 20 years ago as a residential service technician. Early in his career, training wasn't optional. Before working independently on fuel-fired equipment, he went through an intensive combustion analysis class. That emphasis on education helped develop something that would shape his entire career: curiosity. That curiosity took Eric from residential service into commercial and industrial HVACR, distributor technical support, industry engagement, HVAC education, consulting, research, building science, and building performance. A major focus of this conversation is HOW we train technicians. Hands-on training is important, but sometimes we need "brains on" training too. Are we teaching technicians how to diagnose a system, or just giving them procedures to follow? Can they understand airflow, refrigeration, combustion, electrical systems, and building performance well enough to recognize when something doesn't make sense? More importantly, are we teaching technicians how to find the answer? Pat and Eric discuss combustion analysis, airflow, air balancing, belts and sheaves, pulley alignment, lubrication, makeup air, refrigeration, HVAC maintenance, building science, indoor air quality, human comfort, troubleshooting, technical support, and why experienced technicians should never stop learning. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing today's HVACR technician: information. Technicians now have YouTube, social media, forums, manufacturer documentation, technical support, Google, online training, and artificial intelligence at their fingertips. But having more information doesn't mean that information is correct. Knowing how to research, verify technical information, read manufacturer literature, ask better questions, and recognize bad advice may be one of the most important skills we can teach the next generation of technicians. Eric also discusses his evolution as an instructor and moving away from "death by PowerPoint." Effective HVAC education should be interactive. Ask questions. Encourage discussion. Challenge technicians to think. Adapt the training to the people in the room. The goal isn't simply helping someone pass a test. It's developing better technicians. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/ https://www.instagram.com/hvac_elk/?hl=en The conversation also explores mentorship, building performance, indoor comfort, manufacturer consulting, product development, research, and helping technicians understand the relationship between HVAC equipment and the building it's conditioning. And when you're putting that knowledge to work in the field, the products you use matter. Viper products from Refrigeration Technologies are built around the work HVACR and refrigeration technicians perform every day. From cleaning and maintenance products to Nylog, leak detection, and other technician essentials, Viper gives technicians products designed to help get the job done right. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration technician, commercial HVACR technician, foodservice equipment repair technician, instructor, trainer, service manager, contractor, or manufacturer, this conversation is for you. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

August 14, 20261 hr 3 min

Episode 198:

Are we really struggling to find the next generation of technicians… or are we struggling to TRAIN them? On this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, I sit down with Ty Branaman, CMHE — Head of Training for The GRIT Foundation, Field Trainer for Kalos Services, Love2HVAC edutainer, Aether Training consultant, and the one and only Banana Man. https://www.love2hvac.com/ www.youtube.com/@love2hvac https://www.instagram.com/love2hvac https://www.tiktok.com/@love2hvac This conversation goes way beyond the usual “Gen Z doesn’t want to work” argument. Ty has spent years working with technicians, students, instructors, companies, and young people entering the skilled trades. We talk about what he’s actually seeing from the next generation and whether some of the problems we blame on Gen Z might really be problems with how we recruit, teach, mentor, and develop technicians. Are we training them wrong? We get into: Why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools in training Using questions instead of simply giving technicians the answer Allowing trainees to make controlled mistakes and learn from them Why great technicians don’t automatically make great trainers Hands-on training versus simply reading a textbook Teaching troubleshooting instead of memorizing answers Why different technicians need concepts explained in different ways Airflow, refrigeration, electrical, brazing, piping, tools, and diagnostics How teaching can make the instructor a better technician The role YouTube, social media, and industry educators play in HVAC/R education Our responsibility to pass knowledge to the next generation We also dive into The GRIT Foundation and its hands-on camps, where young people get the opportunity to actually experience the trades. https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ Ty pushes back against the idea that young people simply don’t want to work. Give them an opportunity to build something, troubleshoot, use tools, and understand how things work, and that curiosity is still there. Maybe Gen Z isn’t the problem. Maybe we need to rethink how we reach them. Whether you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration technician, commercial kitchen equipment technician, apprentice, instructor, service manager, or anyone responsible for technician development, this conversation is for you. Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is proud to be sponsored by Viper from Refrigeration Technologies. HVAC/R and commercial kitchen technicians know what grease, dirt, and harsh environments can do to coils and equipment. Viper offers professional cleaning products developed with technicians in mind, helping us tackle condenser coils, evaporators, and some of the nastiest equipment we encounter in the field. Professional products for professional technicians. https://www.refrigtech.com/ https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/ Commercial Kitchen Chronicles is The Original Foodservice Equipment Repair Podcast — sharing the stories, knowledge, and experiences of the technicians, trainers, manufacturers, service companies, and industry leaders keeping commercial kitchens running. Follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with another technician. Want to be a guest or know someone whose story needs to be heard? Visit Commercial Kitchen Chronicles online to apply or nominate a future guest. The future of the trades isn’t going to build itself. We have to teach it. #HVAC #HVACR #SkilledTrades #HVACTraining #CommercialKitchenChronicles