The most used appliances in your kitchen, whether it’s a small-scale restaurant or a massive foodservice establishment, are reach-in refrigerators and freezers. These pieces of equipment, if chosen correctly, can improve the quality and speed of service in your business. The proper unit can even save you money. For these reasons, you must take your time and plan which refrigerators will work best in your business. In this guide, we’ll take you through and explain a whole range of products so that you can make an informed decision about your fridge’s door type, compressor and size.
Ordering Your Fridges
If your business has a lot of space for multiple fridges, you must order larger fridges further away from the hottest parts of your kitchen as the heat will make them work harder and consume more energy. Smaller, one door reach-in fridges, on the other hand, are able to stay cool in the work area of your kitchen more easily. Below we discuss the optimal location for different fridges to maximise labour and energy efficiency.
1, 2 or 3 Door Reach-in Refrigerators and Freezers
A 2 or 3 door reach-in refrigerator and freezer should be kept inside the prep area of your kitchen as it is normally used to store food items that you have prepared in bulk for use throughout the week. In other words, it allows you to cut down on food prep times. Place it close to your walk-in fridge and freezer so that you can easily restock it as needed.
Commercial Kitchen Single Door Refrigerator
By Salvadore
Commercial Kitchen Double Door Refrigerator
By Salvadore
Underbar Fridges
Underbar fridges are placed close to service areas like bars or prep areas because they can keep ingredients chilled and fresh till they need to be used or plated. They are a great choice where space is a concern, offering you cooling options without cutting down on kitchen space.
DEEP 1.5 DOOR STAINLESS STEEL UNDERBAR
By Salvadore
DEEP PIZZA UNDERBAR
By Salvadore
3.5 Glass Door Underbar Fridge
By Metnor
Compressor Location
The compressor regulates the internal temperature of your unit and, for this reason, it must be placed away from warm air as warmer ambient temperatures will make the machine work harder. Choose between bottom- and top-mounted compressors for an option that works best in your environment.
Bottom mounted compressors are best for hot environments because warm air rises, ensuring it pulls in cooler air. Though they may take up some extra space, they do make items on your bottom shelf easier to reach. The biggest drawback is that it can get clogged from dirt on the floor.
Top-mounted compressors are better for cooler environments and are less likely to get clogged with dirt. However, if it does get dirty, it’s much more difficult to clean as it is a bit out of reach. They are also a great choice for smaller environments because they do not take up storage space.
Choosing Between Door Types
The most important factor to consider when looking at different door types is the flow of traffic in the environment and how wide the aisles are in your kitchen. You can easily obstruct people and create congestion with certain doors if the location is not properly taken into account. Below you will find a short discussion on three different door types.
Swing Doors
Units with this option normally have a stay-open feature which makes loading and unloading inventory a breeze. However, if your kitchen is small, it can really obstruct traffic flow.
Half Doors
Just like swing doors, half doors can also easily block traffic flow in your kitchen but, because they are split into two sections, you can open one section at a time. This allows you to conserve energy and keep the internal temperature consistent.
Pass-Thru
Pass-thru units have doors on either side making them a great addition to your kitchen because they assist both serving and kitchen staff. For instance, your cooks can prepare cold items like desserts, slide them into the fridge and servers can take them out the other end as needed.
Glass or Solid Doors?
Solid doors are easier to clean, provide more insulation and are thus more energy-efficient than glass doors. However, glass doors allow you to see the contents inside the fridge which shortens the time spent in front of it looking for ingredients.
Other Important Features
Removable Gaskets
The gasket of your unit is responsible for creating the airtight seal around your fridge’s door, keeping the cold air inside. Some gaskets are removable which makes them very easy to clean and sanitize.
Digital Thermostats
Check that your cold storage appliance has a digital thermostat. These devices give you more accurate temperature readings and they are much easier to adjust and monitor, which means you might save on service costs.
Specification Line vs Standard Duty
If you see a product is referred to as “Spec Line” it means that the unit is the top-of-the-line offering of the manufacturer. Spec Line products have all the latest features, modern technologies and most customisable options, compared to standard duty machines.
Installation
After you have decided on your fridge or freezer, you need to start thinking about how you are going to install it. The first step is making sure you can actually manoeuvre the appliance into your establishment, so remember to measure doorways and hallways in advance.
When installing the machine, make sure to follow the specifications set out in the buyer’s manual. You will need to install your unit in a well-ventilated environment that is dry and not prone to dust because these conditions can severely damage it. You should only install your unit on a level surface, and away from heat and moisture-generating equipment. If you do not follow these specifications, your warranty will most likely be declared void. Your unit must also be supplied with the right voltage set out in the manual and it should have its own dedicated electrical circuit.
