Commercial refrigerators are a good investment due to their storage capacity, efficiency and display features. It is therefore essential to have a good understanding of the types of commercial refrigeration to guide your purchase decision.
Reach-in freezers and refrigerators
This type of refrigerator is the most common in the market and is similar to residential refrigerators. The main difference, however, comes in the size and capacity. It is ideal for a commercial situation due to the easy access to food items. They are also available in dual-temperature models, offering different temperature zones that allow you to store food items according to your needs.
Reach-in refrigerators are also available with casters to allow for smooth movement, should the need arise. Some models are available with glass doors instead of the usual steel doors, while others have double doors to allow for increased storage space.
Walk-in refrigerators
This type of commercial refrigerator is perfect for large restaurants and hotels due to their need to store large quantities of food items. They provide a high storage capacity as well as different temperature zones for storing various foods. They can also be customised so you can add additional shelving and easy organisation. Walk-in refrigerators can be the size of closets or take up an entire room, allowing people to walk inside. They are suitable for storing boxed items such as juice or alcohol that require a lot of storage space and are highly perishable.
You can also opt for an outdoor walk-in refrigerator that saves on space indoors. Outdoor walk-ins are more expensive, however, due to the need for additional features such as panels, insulation and ground levelling. You may also need to add a new doorway for accessing the refrigerator, especially during harsh weather.
Refrigerated prep tables
Refrigerated prep tables are usually available in two types: salad and pizza prep tables. The difference between these two variations is the depth of the board. A pizza table has a thicker cutting board that allows it to hold pizza of a large diameter. The design of this refrigerator provides for use in the cooking and preparation area and keeps food fresh. It has drawers beneath the counter and wire shelving that offers extra storage for food items. The drawers are great for storing things like sauce and dressing.
They do not have front ventilation, but they are equipped with casters for smooth movement. Refrigerated prep tables are a smart buy as they can function as commercial units while offering a wide temperature range.