Refrigeration units for commercial use are an absolute necessity in the food service industry. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the many alternatives when it comes to the layout and design of your refrigerator. In the case of a deli, for example, a refrigerated merchandising station might be required, while a new restaurant might need a walk-in with plenty of storage space.
A company plan will help you narrow down your fridge options, as each commercial refrigerator category is created for a distinct purpose. Each industrial refrigerator type has been explained in this guide so that you can make an informed purchase decision.
1) Reach-In refrigerator
When you're looking at commercial kitchens, it is the most uncomplicated form of commercial fridge. With a door that opens to reveal rows of shelf, reach-in refrigerators are a larger version of the fridge you have at home. As a result, they have a much greater cooling and storage capacity. Reach-in doors can be made from metal or glass, with a sliding or hinged design, depending on your preferences. Reach-in refrigerators are used in nearly every restaurant.
The refrigerator can be further customized after you've chosen a reach-in size and door design. For convenient mobility, some reach-ins include rolling wheels; some have solid half-doors or pass-through shelving that gives access from both sides. Refrigerator-freezer combos, such as industrial refrigerator-freezer combos and reach-in freezers, are also available.
A reach-in refrigerator is a common feature in the restaurant prep area, where chefs may conveniently store food like produce, prepared dishes, sauces, and more. It is common practice for cooks to transfer critical ingredients from the walk-in refrigerator to the reach-in to speed up the preparation process.
2) Walk-Ins refrigerator
When it comes to cold storage, walk-in refrigerators are the best option. Compartments can be as little as a few square feet to as large as entire rooms. Because you can close the door behind you when you're browsing the storage shelves in a walk-in, it's easier to keep food cool and less electricity is wasted.
Fresh food is delivered every day to the reception area (i.e. loading dock, alley) where walk-ins are typically located. This eliminates kitchen bottlenecks by allowing personnel to carry bulk supplies to the walk-in cooler fast. Cooks may determine which things need to be moved to the center of the reach-in refrigerators when a delivery is made.
3) Undercounter Refrigeration
Undercounter refrigerators, like reach-in refrigerators, make it easier to obtain ingredients while working the line. As a result, you don't even have to get up from the work surface or prep table in order to get what you're looking for. Food trucks and concession stands can also benefit from the compact design. There are a lot of benefits to having an undercounter refrigerator in your kitchen when space is limited.
In most cases, undercounter refrigerators are used to store fresh vegetables and pre-cooked meats, as well as condiments and sauces that will be used throughout the day. You can replenish your supplies in the walk-in cooler if you run low on something. To store everything in the walk-in is inefficient at best.
Some under-counter refrigerators come with a built-in workbench, allowing you to prepare food right on top of the refrigerator, if that's what you need. The undercounter variants are also available in freezer form, just as the reach-in models.
4) Refrigerated Prep Tables
These customized prep tables are sometimes known as mega top refrigerators. They allow cooks to swiftly access materials for sandwich, salad or pizza preparation. With a refrigerated prep rail and container slots for storing ingredients, these units maintain food at a precise temperature while yet allowing for simple accessibility.
Restaurants including delis, cafeterias, and other eateries commonly use this sort of commercial refrigerator. Because of the thoughtful layout, chefs are able to prepare meals on the worktable, rather than keep the containers in the refrigerator or freezer until it is time to serve, after which they can swiftly transport them to the line. A reach-in refrigerator storage is also available beneath the counter.
5) Bar Refrigeration
A variety of options for cooling beverages are available with bar refrigerators. Stainless steel or black vinyl are the most common materials used in their construction, and both look stunning when installed behind a bar. With either a solid or glass door, you can instantly see how many bottles are in the cooler. Horizontal coolers with sliding tops allow you to easily reach down and get a beverage from the cooler's lower shelf. Last but not least, bar refrigerators can also be modified with a draft beer dispenser, allowing for the undercounter refrigerator area to be used for the loading of kegs.
6) Merchandising Refrigerators
Customers appreciate being able to browse a store's inventory without being restricted from taking what they want. A wide variety of merchandising refrigerators are available, allowing you to select the ideal display for your business. You don't need a separate refrigerator for delis, convenience stores, and bakeries to keep products chilled. We have grab-and-go refrigerators for every environment, whether it's a countertop commercial fridge, an open air merchandiser, or a standard glass-door model.