Embracing success in the culinary landscape demands a wider knowledge and awareness of commercial kitchen appliances. In the food service business, refrigeration systems are pivotal for serving fresh foods to customers at any time. Saying no to visitors is not good for the overall business; thus, installing refrigeration systems in your commercial kitchen is necessary. Pick the best manufacturer and bring extraordinary cooling solutions to your restaurants to increase profits. Adding to this, refrigeration systems ensure perfect balance, streamline workflow and become a centre of attraction. Hence, understand the types of commercial fridges, chillers, and freezers to elevate business standards. Let's explore them in detail here.
Different Types Of Commercial Refrigeration Systems To Consider
Check out the list of different types of commercial refrigeration systems available on the market. Take a look…
#1. Walk-In Refrigerator And Freezers
A walk-in refrigeration system is essential for restaurants, hotels, and cafes to store diverse ingredients. This refrigeration system can store items in large quantities and is quite easy to access. Moreover, the walk-in refrigerators are specially designed for commercial kitchens to avoid congestion.
Suitable for:
Restaurant owners who are planning to expand their business or have unique menu requirements might prefer buying this refrigerator. This keeps the food fresh for a long time, and you can satisfy the taste buds of your potential customers at any time. On the whole, walk-in units enhance the overall profit and increase the brand's reputation.
#2. Display Fridge
Display refrigerators, as the name says, are exclusively designed with glass for showcasing products in the fridge. Opting for this fridge is beneficial for chefs, executives, and customers. These commercial refrigeration systems make analysing the stock, like dairy, meat, and other products, a breeze for staff. Placing it in the sideways or pathways of the restaurant can enhance the look of your commercial space. Yeah, it makes it easy for the customers to pick their favourite items.
However, it differs from display cases that are placed near the bill counter to showcase pastries and other bakery items. These display cases usually include multi decks, serve-over counters, countertop displays, counter chiller displays, and upright glass door units.
Suitable for:
Display fridges or refrigerated merchandisers are ideal for supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and other retail establishments to store and display perishable goods and beverages.
#3. Undercounter Refrigeration System
As the name says, Undercounter chillers and refrigerators are the ones that can be installed under the counters. These systems help save a lot of space for commercial kitchen owners. These systems offer several benefits for the restaurant owners and the chefs in the commercial kitchen. This is the perfect option for reducing congestion in busy kitchens. Also, you can move this system easily from one place to another.
Suitable for:
Undercounter Refrigeration Systems are suitable for small food counters and cloud kitchens. Established commercial kitchens can also use these refrigeration systems to store specific items or excess products. Invest your time in finding the best manufacturer to purchase these fridges and chillers.
#4. Bar Refrigerator
Bar refrigerators are generally small in size and perfect for storing small beverage cans, beers, wine, and others. These systems feature adjustable shelves, LED lighting, glass doors, temperature control, and locking doors. Moreover, they come in unique sizes to choose from. Bar refrigerators play a crucial role in adding aesthetics to commercial areas. Furthermore, by incorporating proper maintenance practices, you can experience enhanced performance. Consider adding it to your regular cleaning routine to prolong its overall quality.
Suitable for:
As the name suggests, more than a restaurant, this refrigeration system is apt for bar settings where customers like to consume drinks.
#5. Pastry Cabinets
Restaurants or cafés that exclusively aim to create a brand name for the mouth-melting pastry items prefer this refrigeration cabinet. Serving fresh pastry items is essential for business growth and prevents mould growth as well. Plus, the assortment of pastries, cakes, and other desserts in the front area of the commercial areas attracts various customers. These systems make displaying delectable pastries and cakes a breeze for all. Customers can choose their favourite pastries or cakes without having to touch anything. Know that pastry cabinets are pretty different from the display fridge in size, functioning, capacity, and purpose.
Suitable for:
Bakeries, cafes, and other settings that deal in fresh cakes and pastries.
#6. Reach-In Refrigerator
Food items in the reach-in units remain fresh for a long period of time for commercial purposes. You can store prepared or plated meat, fish, poultry, sauces, garnishes, and beverages at optimal temperatures. For quick access and organised storage, this is an excellent choice.
Reach-in units are an exceptional option for people who own cafés, school or hostel canteens, and so on. You get to choose from diverse varieties of door types, such as glass, solid, sections, pass-through, top-mounted, bottom-mounted, and half-doors. You must choose the one that elevates the overall look of your commercial kitchens.
Suitable for:
These commercial refrigeration systems are ideal for cafés, school hostel kitchens, and bars.
Different Types Of Freezers
Freezers are undeniably important for preserving perishable goods like meat, fish, dairy products, and others in good condition. Get accustomed to the features of the product prior to purchasing it. Some of the most important features that you need to check include capacity, defrost drain features, an energy-efficient rating, shelves, storage baskets, drawers, and door locks. Plus, knowing the various types of freezers available on the market is also crucial before you buy one. Freezers are categorised based on the types of doors, which include chest freezers, under-counters, four-door refrigerators, refrigerated prep tables, and deep freezers.
Classification Based On Doors
In addition to fridges, chillers, and freezers, refrigerators can also be categorised based on their door types and functions. Keep exploring this section to get an idea of them in detail.
French Door: This cooling system has a continuous refrigerator space on the top, accessed by two doors, and a freezer drawer below. It is quite large in capacity and has adjustable shelves, customizable storage options, and exterior ice and water dispensers that are apt for large-budget restaurants.
Side-by-Side Door: It has two doors open from the centre; one is a freezer compartment on the side, and the other is a fridge. A side-by-side fridge resembles the look of a traditional system and includes many attractive features. You can choose it if you require to store frozen items more than the other items.
Undercounter Refrigerator: As the name suggests, you can install this fridge under the counter, and the doors open from the side. This is perfect for storing excess beverages and foods inside your commercial kitchen.
Quad Door Refrigerators: This refrigeration system has four doors open from the centre, two from the freezer on the bottom, and the other two doors for the fridge on the top. It gives a unique look to your kitchen. Moreover, it helps keep your items organised.
The Bottom Line
So, these are the different types of commercial refrigeration systems you can consider for your food business. Make sure to keep your restaurant type, menu, and requirements in mind when buying a refrigeration system for your commercial kitchen. The market is swamped with myriads of commercial refrigeration appliances. Choosing the right refrigeration system is the best way to make a lasting impression. Understanding your restaurant's requirements and the features of the fridges helps you pick the best item among the vast products. Also, it is crucial to approach a reputable seller to pick the right cooling solutions and embrace success in the competitive culinary landscape.
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