Keeping food and ingredients fresh is essential for those working in the food & beverage (F&B) industry. Economically reliable commercial refrigerators and freezers are therefore valuable assets, as they can improve kitchen workflow and lower the amount of money spent rebuying spoilt ingredients.
Your commercial refrigerator and freezer are the appliances that will see the most use in your kitchen, so you must purchase a unit that suit your needs.
Given the different brands and models available, choosing the right commercial refrigerator and freezer can be a hassle, so we’ve compiled a small list of what to look for when your purchase one.
Storage Requirements
When figuring out how much storage your commercial refrigerator should have, there are three things to consider:
- What you are storing
- How much you are storing
- How much will be stored in the future
While the first two are self-explanatory, the third item can be complicated – especially if all that extra space goes to waste. Commercial space does not come cheap, and you have to make every square meter count.
A vertical catering fridge may be a better purchase if you have limited space. You can then maximise the stock on display or the type and number of products you can store. If you are working with a more extensive production line, you can consider walk-in coolers or large chest freezers.
Energy Consumption
Your commercial refrigerator is the one item that will be in constant use. Getting an energy-efficient unit can help cut back on energy bills without sacrificing too much refrigeration power.
You should note that trying to cut back on energy consumption is difficult in the food business, as you need to maintain the stock’s quality and be very mindful of consumer safety. It is also worth checking with your accountant to see if any tax breaks apply to the purchase and usage of energy-efficient equipment.
Reliability
Reliability is essential – having a poorly functioning commercial refrigerator or freezer can be highly detrimental to any F&B outlet. The unit needs to keep its food refrigerated 24 hours a day.
Speaking to a commercial refrigeration specialist can help guide you to reliable brand names for fridges and freezers. It would help if you also spent time researching the potential unit you would like to purchase and looking for other customer reviews on the product to determine how well it functions.
Even if a unit is reliable, it must be regularly maintained. Make sure you note the advice on maintenance and servicing for the brand you intend to purchase and keep a commercial fridge freezer repair expert on hand in case of sudden emergencies.
Equipment Practicality
No matter how energy-efficient or modern your commercial refrigerator may be, practicality and functionality trump everything.
Doors need to open and close quickly while being easy to clean for hygiene reasons. Shelves need to be removable for easy access, and there should be no hard to reach corners where food debris can collect. Temperature controls and readings should also be easy to access and operate.
Other than that, keep in mind how easy it is for the staff to store and pack food items. And for display units, ensure that the unit is user-friendly enough that they can reach in and pick out what they want.
Aesthetics
The commercial refrigerator you have in the kitchen area can be as industrial as it needs to be. However, for shops, cafes, and anyone who displays food items to their customers, you want to ensure that the refrigerator you use is as attractive and appealing as possible.
Display cabinets come in a range of styles and sizes, so you need to think about what product you will be putting in and the décor of the commercial outlet. Longer term storage will require a more practical chest or walk in freezers.
Make The Right Choice
Getting the right refrigeration equipment for your F&B business is just as important as hiring the right people. We hope that the tips above prove helpful on your hunt for the best commercial refrigerator for you. If you need further advice, contact your local commercial refrigeration experts for guidance.
