Commercial Refrigeration: What Restaurant Owners Need to Know Before Buying

14 July 2020

Refrigeration systems and solutions available for commercial facilities can vary depending on their main purposes. Restaurants and other related businesses typically install and use different refrigeration units for different types of products. Some of their units are intended for refrigerating fruits and vegetables, while others are dedicated for storing drinks and beverages. Raw meat products are also kept in a separate refrigeration unit to sustain their quality and freshness.

If you are looking for refrigeration units for your restaurant, then you should know first some key factors and elements of commercial refrigeration systems. These things will help you decide which commercial refrigeration types and varieties are well-suited for your business.

Types of Commercial Refrigeration Solutions

There are two common types of commercial refrigeration solutions: stand-alone units and cool rooms. As the name implies, stand-alone refrigeration or freezer units can work separately from the others. Refrigerators and freezers under this type have different dimensions and functionalities that are deemed suitable for a specific location. Some of them can be installed next to countertops, while others can double as a food preparation area. Some refrigerators can also be placed under the counter.

Cool rooms, on the other hand, are rooms that are fully equipped with full-blast refrigeration systems. These rooms also contain refrigeration units that can store cold drinks and food items for customers to see and retrieve. Walk-in freezers and refrigerators can also be found in these rooms, which are responsible for storing meat and other frozen or refrigerated items for a long time.

Temperature of the Refrigeration Units

Once you are familiar with the types of commercial refrigeration, you must know focus on the temperature ranges of a refrigeration unit. This factor hugely relies on your knowledge about the food items or drinks that you will be buying and storing for your restaurant. The recommended operating temperatures for commercial refrigeration units are around 2° to 4° Celsius, while the temperatures for freezer units must be between -18° to -16° Celsius. Choosing the refrigeration and freezer units for your restaurant must fall between the mentioned temperatures to effectively preserve food products and beverages.

Size of Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers

As mentioned, one type of commercial refrigeration solution is stand-alone units. When buying these units, you must thoroughly and carefully consider your needed storage size. This specific size will depend on the number of your products, as well as the overall dimensions of these products whenever they are grouped and stored together. Aside from your food products, you must also consider the capability of your business to clean and maintain them regularly since obtaining large commercial refrigeration units will typically yield higher repair and maintenance costs. Additionally, the available space in your restaurant kitchen must also be considered before buying and installing refrigerators and freezers.

Knowing these things when buying commercial refrigeration for your restaurant can help you maximise food product storage, serve high-quality and delicious meals out of fresh food products, and prevent unnecessary expenses. If you want help in building your restaurant’s commercial refrigeration system, feel free to contact us at P&R Commercial Refrigeration. We provide commercial refrigeration services to a wide range of industries including hospitality, retail, butcher shops, and supermarkets.

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