In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we sit down with Stephen Smith, the force behind the Everything HVACR YouTube channel and a seasoned technician with over 20 years in the trade. From commercial installs to becoming a field support manager at KCC Manufacturing, Stephen has seen it all—and he’s not done yet.

We dive deep into:

• His journey through the skilled trades and HVACR industry

• The importance of mentorship and continuous learning

• Why he started his YouTube channel and how it’s helping the next generation of techs

• What “leaving it better than you found it” means in today’s workplace

• The real talk technicians need to hear

Stephen opens up about the value of discipline, pride in workmanship, and the power of sharing knowledge through content creation.

🔥 Whether you're a seasoned pro or just entering the industry, this episode delivers wisdom, motivation, and a few laughs along the way.

🔥 Pro Tip for Commercial Kitchen Pros! 🔥
Brought to you by our friends at Viper HVAC Cleaners — when it comes to keeping your commercial kitchen equipment running at peak performance, clean coils and evaporators are non-negotiable.
That’s where Viper’s NSF-registered cleaning products come in! 🧼
They're safe, powerful, and specifically designed to tackle the grease and grime found in busy foodservice environments. Keep your refrigeration and HVAC systems efficient, extend equipment life, and avoid costly downtime.
👉 Trust Viper — the name the industry relies on for professional-grade kitchen system maintenance.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

Check out Stephen here

https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingHVACR

Commercial kitchen Chronicles

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

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In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, we’re joined by none other than Chris Stephens, the force behind the massively popular HVACR Videos channel. 🎥 From dissecting complex refrigeration issues to being a voice of honesty and transparency in the skilled trades, Chris has become one of the most respected names in the industry.

Host Pat Finley sits down with Chris for a real and raw conversation about:

• The origin and purpose of the HVACR Videos channel

• What it means to lead with vulnerability and integrity online

• The burnout struggles and how to manage the pressures of running a service business

• Training the next generation and why showing the process (not just the polished outcome) matters

• And how we can all help reshape the public perception of skilled trades

Whether you’re a new tech, a seasoned veteran, or just HVACR-curious, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

🔧 Guest:
Chris Stephens
Owner of a California-based HVACR company | Creator of HVACR Videos on YouTube
📺 youtube.com/@hvacrvideos

🧼 Sponsored by:
Viper from Refrigeration Technologies – Clean coils & evaporators the safe, effective, NSF-certified.

https://www.refrigtech.com/

📲 Follow & Subscribe:
Catch more interviews, repairs, and behind-the-scenes from the foodservice repair world by subscribing to Commercial Kitchen Chronicles on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

#HVACR #HVACVideos #CommercialKitchenRepair #FoodserviceRepair #RefrigerationRepair #RestaurantHVAC #HVACTech #TradesTalk #ServiceTechnician #SkilledTrades #HVACLife #HVACTips #RepairLife #YouTubeTrades #TechInterviews #HVACInspiration #HVACTools #HVACBusiness #RealTalkHVAC #CommercialKitchenChronicles

From Farming to Freon: The Refrigeration Journey of Jeremiah Johnson 🚛❄️

In this episode of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat Finley sits down with Montana-based refrigeration pro Jeremiah Johnson, who shares his inspiring journey from residential HVAC and construction framing to running his own refrigeration business in rural Montana. 🇺🇸

🔥 Jeremiah talks about:

• How the 2009 housing crash led him to HVAC school at 30

• Making the leap from residential HVAC to commercial refrigeration

• Life in the trades: working 7 days a week and loving it

• Supporting small-town grocery stores, restaurants, and dairies

• Tackling walk-in freezers, ice machines, mini splits, and even R290 refrigeration

• The independence (and challenges) of being a one-man operation

• Getting his daughters involved in the trades 👧🛠️

• His love for hunting, BBQ, and quality tools (Testo, Fieldpiece, and more)

Whether you're a seasoned tech, an apprentice, or just curious about starting your own refrigeration business, this is a must-listen!

Brought to you by Viper 🐍 from Refrigeration Technologies

🔥 Pro Tip for Commercial Kitchen Pros! 🔥
Brought to you by our friends at Viper HVAC Cleaners — when it comes to keeping your commercial kitchen equipment running at peak performance, clean coils and evaporators are non-negotiable.
That’s where Viper’s NSF-registered cleaning products come in! 🧼
They're safe, powerful, and specifically designed to tackle the grease and grime found in busy foodservice environments. Keep your refrigeration and HVAC systems efficient, extend equipment life, and avoid costly downtime.
👉 Trust Viper — the name the industry relies on for professional-grade kitchen system maintenance.

https://www.refrigtech.com

Check out all things Commercial Kitchen Chronicles related.

https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com

#commercialrefrigeration #HVACpodcast #foodserviceequipmentrepair #R290refrigeration #refrigerationtechnician #commercialkitchenequipment #icemachinemaintenance #walkinfreezerrepair #HVACtools #Testo550s #Fieldpieceprobes #onemanHVACbusiness #commercialkitchenpodcast #technicianstories #HVACstartup #smallbusinessHVAC #Montanatradesman #refrigerationjourney