Choosing The Right Commercial Refrigerators
Many businesses – from butchers and bakers to pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes – rely on commercial refrigerators to keep them afloat.
Not only do they keep their produce cool and consumable, but they also helps reduce waste, improve organisation and boost team productivity.
Commercial refrigerators come in many different shapes and sizes, and what might be suitable for one business may not be for another, so there are a few things to take into consideration when shopping around.
Storage capacity
Of course, you’re going to need a fridge big enough to store all of your produce and keep it cool.
Choosing too small means there isn’t enough room for air to circulate and keep your products at optimal temperatures. And choosing one that’s too big isn’t very energy or cost-efficient.
You should keep your menu, volume of customers, opening times and potential leftovers in mind in order to select the perfect size.
How much space you have available
In addition to how much room is inside your commercial refrigerator, you need to think about how much space you have available in your kitchen for the unit itself.
You should consider:
- Where you want your fridge to be placed – this could determine the type of refrigerator you choose.
- The space in front of where your unit will be placed – this will determine the type of doors you need.
Also, you should choose a fridge that you know will benefit your staff and slot in seamlessly to create a much better, more efficient working environment.
The temperature required for your produce
The temperature of your commercial kitchen depends on its purpose and the type of food you have on offer. And you need to make sure the refrigerator you choose is capable of reaching these temperatures.
Energy efficiency
In recent years, businesses have been adjusting the way they operate to minimise their carbon footprint, as well as save themselves some money on their energy bills.
Commercial refrigerators account for nearly a third of a commercial kitchen’s energy consumption.
It’s one of the only appliances that’s used 24/7, which as you can imagine, can result in eye-watering bills. This is why it is so important to choose an energy-efficient commercial refrigerator.
Most modern commercial refrigerators are designed with a range of innovative technologies to increase energy efficiency in your commercial kitchen.
They’re also fitted with energy labels – which are categorized from A+++ to G, with the former meaning the energy rating is higher and the latter the least.
This label will also display key information about annual energy consumption and total recommended capacity so that you can get the absolute most out of your refrigerator.
What type of fridge you need
As previously mentioned, commercial refrigerators are available in all different shapes and sizes, and they all serve different purposes.
Some of them include:
Display fridges are perfect for businesses – such as cafes, bakeries and even supermarkets – offering fresh goods and grab-and-go items to their customers.
They can easily be viewed and accessed by your staff, and not only do they maintain the quality of your produce, but they also provide the perfect sales opportunity.
You can arrange your items and make them look more enticing, which almost always guarantees more sales.
These commercial refrigerators are the ideal addition to bars, pubs, clubs, and restaurants that need quick and easy access to bottled beverages.
Not only will it keep drinks nice and cool for your patrons, but it also increases the visual appeal of your space – making it look much more stylish and modern, and makes stock taking much simpler, too!
Commercial cold rooms are typically used by restaurants and supermarkets that need to keep a large quantity of meat, fish, dairy, and vegetables fresh for their customers.
A multideck display fridge, as the name suggests, feature several shelves to create an easily accessible tiered display of your products.
If you want to promote the items you currently have for sale, or those part of a special offer, for example, a multideck display fridge is the solution your business needs.
Need help choosing the perfect commercial refrigeration unit?
With so many different commercial refrigerators available, it can be difficult to decide which is best for your business.
If you’re struggling, why not get in touch with the commercial refrigeration experts over at J&M Refrigeration?
They have decades of experience in the industry – including commercial refrigeration repair – and would be more than happy to help!
