We’re used to thinking of refrigerators as the tools of the culinary industry. They are, of course, a big priority for any business which makes or sells food and drink. Yet, they’re also an essential asset for civil buildings like hospitals, schools, and administrative centres.

In fact, few workplaces can function smoothly without any kind of refrigeration at all. Even offices, warehouses, and manufacturing plants contain employees who need a way to keep their food cold throughout the day. So, commercial refrigeration is clearly an important resource and you should always choose your provider carefully.

This guide to shopping for commercial refrigeration will give you some advice and help you make the best possible decisions.

Dimensions

The most obvious place to start is with size. Clearly, not all businesses need commercial refrigeration with a huge capacity. However, if your needs are substantial, industrial sized units are available. It is worth taking the time to measure the space where you plan to install your refrigerator. It only takes a few minutes and it will help you avoid any mishaps with mismatched dimensions. Don’t forget to include a couple of inches on the back and each side for air flow.

Opaque Vs Glass Doors

Glass front refrigerators are a common sight in small cafes, kiosks, and newsagents. Generally, they invite customers to open up the unit and select their own items, which is why transparency is useful. If you aren’t planning to use your commercial refrigeration as a front of house merchandising tool, it is best to stick with an opaque unit. It is more energy efficient and there’s more flexibility when it comes to neatness.

Legs Vs Casters

For food businesses, casters are always the better option. They allow the unit to be wheeled away from the wall with minimum effort. This makes it easier to clean behind the refrigeration unit and maintain the optimum levels of hygiene. If this area is unlikely to get overly grimy, a unit with legs is perfectly suitable. Many of the larger systems will have legs because they’re not designed to be moved apart from during installation and removal.

Shelves Vs Drawers

In domestic refrigerators, there tends to be a clear preference for either deep drawers or shelves and racking. Many units contain both, but you’ll still need to decide what type of configuration is best for your business. The larger the refrigerator, the more space you’ll get, and the more room there will be for both drawers and shelves. However, do think about what you’ll be storing – whether there are more bottles than food packages, for instance – and then make your decision accordingly.

Added Extras

Ultimately, the commercial refrigeration industry is quite a diverse place. You can get your hands on units of all shapes and sizes, particularly if you work with an experienced provider. For example, there are special ‘roll in’ units which are much larger and tend to be used by companies which produce large amounts of food, on an hourly basis. You can also invest in compact under counter refrigerators, which are great for maximising space in small workplaces.

For information and advice on shopping for commercial refrigeration, visit Welch Refrigeration today. Or, call 01473 425 495 to speak to a representative and request a quote for your business.