Commercial refrigerators are the bread and butter of any food kitchen. Reach-in refrigerator units are among the most frequently utilized appliances in commercial kitchens of restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, and other food-utilized enterprises.
These refrigerators help you save money, energy, and food while enhancing the quality of service. However, since it necessitates a substantial financial investment, purchasing reach-in refrigeration for a commercial kitchen is a significant deal for a food business.
Here, we’ve compiled a thorough guide to choosing the best reach-in refrigeration system—one of the most popular varieties in commercial refrigeration—for your requirements.
Our goal is to provide a comprehensive guide that considers all scenarios and variables affecting the effectiveness and usability of reach-in refrigerators.
Understanding Your Needs: A Recipe for Success
Determine your unique needs before exploring particular features. Consider things like:
● Space: How much room does the commercial reach-in refrigerator occupy? Precisely measure the available space, taking into consideration not only the floor area but also the space needed for entrances and ventilation.
● Capacity: How much space is required for inventory storage? This will establish the necessary size and quantity of shelves.
● Door Style: Glass doors offer better product exposure and can increase sales through marketing, but solid doors offer greater energy efficiency. Thus, choose the door type based on the location of the reach-in cooler.
● Required Temperature: Which is more necessary, a reach-in freezer or a refrigerator? Specific temperature ranges are intended for use with different units.
Selecting the Ideal Reach-In Refrigerator: Maximizing Efficiency and Performance
After you have made up your mind on what you need, look into aspects that improve effectiveness and performance, such as:
● Energy Efficiency: Seek out properties certified by Department of Energy (DOE), which attests to compliance with stringent energy-saving guidelines. In the long run, this results in significant energy cost savings.
● Temperature management: Ensuring food safety requires accurate and consistent temperature management. For precise temperature control, select appliances with digital thermostats.
● Remote vs. self-contained condensing units: Although they are more straightforward to install, self-contained units produce more heat. Although they require professional installation, remote condensing units have superior energy efficiency and quieter operation.
● Sturdiness and Ease of Upkeep: A well-constructed reach-in refrigerator with easily accessible parts and stainless steel shelves reduces maintenance costs and guarantees longevity.
● Compliance with Regulations: Be sure the energy efficiency and food safety laws in your area apply to your commercial reach-in refrigerator. This will keep you out of trouble with the law and improve your company’s reputation for upholding moral principles.
How To Install A Reach-in Refrigeration
The installation of your reach-in refrigerator requires careful consideration of several factors. You might agree that any chef’s worst nightmare is a malfunctioning refrigerator. To prevent such breakdowns, you should ensure the installation is done accurately.
● First, measure the door frames and hallways to gauge the refrigerator’s size and whether it will fit without any hassle or require special efforts to fit it properly.
● Make enough room and a well-ventilated space for the reach-in refrigerator, as these large units will need more air to function appropriately.
● Compressors for reach-in refrigeration draw in and cool the surrounding air, which is then used to maintain a cold interior. Too dusty or humid areas will clog the compressor and reduce the units’ efficiency.
● When selecting the area for your reach-in refrigerator, choosing a spot with a flat and dry floor is essential. This will ensure the unit’s stability and prevent any potential damage from moisture or dampness.
● Make sure the reach-in refrigerator and freezer have their own electrical circuit and that you always check and utilize the recommended voltage as suggested by the manufacturer.
How Can You Maximize ROI on Your Reach-In Refrigerator
1) Reduce Energy Costs
● Opt for electricity-efficient models to lower running charges.
● Ensure the right placement away from heat resources to boost efficiency.
2) Improve Performance and Reliability
● Regular preservation protects your device from breakdowns and extends its lifespan.
● Train staff on proper usage to avoid misuse and harm.
3) Increase Sales with Better Merchandising
● Use glass door models to draw clients with clean, properly-lit displays.
● Organize products smartly to make them more appealing and less complicated to discover.
4) Sustainable Practices
● Choose models that use environmentally pleasant refrigerants.
● Invest in devices with high power performance ratings to lessen your carbon footprint.
Questions to ask while buying a commercial refrigerator
● What type of reach-in refrigerator could you recommend for my needs?
● Will this commercial refrigerator suit my venue requirements?
● Why do you suggest this model over others you or your competitors provide?
● What are the advantages of this commercial fridge?
● Where is it manufactured?
● What is the warranty period?
● How smooth is it to get parts from the manufacturing unit if they’re needed?
● What happens if I want an urgent commercial refrigerator repair?
● How much are hourly callout costs? What about on weekends?
In conclusion, a reach-in refrigerator is a commercial kitchen’s most important element. Therefore, every type of food business should have one to guarantee a seamless workflow in their food outlet, regardless of its size and capacity.
These commercial reach-in refrigerator units are primarily made to meet the requirements of a commercial kitchen despite their higher initial investment cost as compared with residential units.
They will compensate and repay the preliminary cost by saving you time and money, parallelly retaining your valuable food ingredients and preparing food and desserts that are healthy, tasty, and fresh.
We hope you find a suitable reach-in refrigeration unit for your commercial food enterprise with this distinct buying manual.
