Whenever we talk about refrigeration, the first thing that comes to our mind is the household refrigerator that all of us have in our homes. But have you ever realized that refrigeration is an integral part of a variety of commercial applications as well? You will find commercial refrigerators in a wide variety of industries, including restaurants, cold storage units, retail stores selling food and beverages, etc. They are used to keep food and beverages fresh and chilled, and they often come with insulated interiors and stainless-steel exteriors. Here, we will have a look at the different types of commercial refrigeration and how to choose one for your application.
Types of Commercial Refrigerators
Walk-in refrigerator: If you need a huge amount of space to store your products, then go for a walk-in refrigerator. This type of commercial refrigeration has commercial shelves which perfectly store alcohol, juices, and canned items.
Reach-in refrigerator: These refrigerators have several sections with varying storage capacities. You can go for a solid door unit or a glass door one.
Under counter unit: These refrigerators are short, due to which they can fit well into small spaces. So, if you need to store a few items within easy access, then this type of refrigerator would be more appropriate for you.
Serve over a unit: this kind of commercial refrigerators is often found in meat outlets, grocery stores and cafes. With a level or bent glass, they beautifully put the saleable items on display as well as keep chilled and refreshed.
Bar refrigerator: These refrigerators usually have stainless steel or black vinyl exteriors and can be installed in the form of plate chillers, back bar refrigerators or keg coolers.
Bakery display: These kinds of commercial refrigeration systems are often installed in bakeries or pastry shops. They have a glass front so that people can view the products on display.
Prep tables: These tables are often found in commercial kitchens, such as salad tables, sandwich tables, pizza tables, etc. These tables have drawers in which dressings and sauces are stored.
Choosing the Right Commercial Refrigerator
Now that you know the different types of commercial refrigerators out there, here are a few tips that you can use to choose the right one for your business:
First of all, you need to evaluate your commercial storage needs and decide the desired size. Give attention to the amount of floor space available for its installation. If there is limited floor space in your store, you will need a refrigerator that has more vertical space and less horizontal.
The style of your business also plays an important role in deciding the type of commercial refrigeration system you need. If you need to display your products attractively, then you will need a refrigerator with glass doors. If you need to store bulk products for a long time, then a walk-in freezer would be the best option for you. Sometimes, you may even need a combination of both.
Since energy prices are hefty these days, you need to choose a refrigerator that delivers optimum performance while consuming a minimum amount of energy. While more efficient refrigerators may be expensive, they would reduce your electricity bills significantly and help you save money over time. Sometimes, you may also get tax breaks if you use energy-efficient commercial refrigeration in your business.
The refrigerator that you choose should be easy to use not only for your customers but also for your staff members. The doors should be easy to close and open and it should store all products within easy access. It should be easy to clean as well and should have simple temperature controls.
So, now that you know the different types of commercial refrigeration systems available out there and we have also given you a few tips to choose the best one as per your business requirements, use this information to make a wise selection for your business.
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