Cold storage is critical in the foodservice business, from walk-in coolers, undercounter refrigerators to reach-in freezers. Most operations have a variety of cold storage. When shopping for a reach-in freezer, a little prep work before you start shopping can save you time and help you get the best model to meet your needs. Here are the top five considerations to give some thought to before you make your commercial freezer purchase.
Check Freezer Size
When it comes to commercial freezers and refrigerators too, size is the same as storage space. The bigger the freezer, the more you can store, but you will also need to allow more floor space for a bigger unit. It’s a bit of a give and take, so you need to consider which is more important for your kitchen – larger unit for more storage or smaller unit to save space. You will also want to check the shelving or pan capacity. Keep in mind that more shelving means more storage capacity for pans and inventory, this can also mean higher energy costs, particularly if you won’t be filling your freezer to capacity.
Condenser Placement
All commercial freezers have a condenser unit to maintain temperature at a consistent level and keep food at safe storage temperatures. Condensers and compressor can be located either on the top of your unit or on the bottom. The optimal placement of the compressor depends on many factors. Top-mounted compressors are usually safe and last longer because they are less exposed to grease in the kitchen which can clog your unit requiring frequent maintenance and cleaning. Top-mounted units can pull in the warmest air in the room from the ceiling area, which is optimal in a cooler environment. Unfortunately, these benefits mean that top-mounted units are usually a bit more expensive.
A bottom mounted compressor is best suited for warmer kitchens, as it won’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature. A bottom-mounted unit also allows easier access to inventory because the bottom of the freezer box is raised to accommodate the condenser. The down-fall of these units is that the freezer may trap more dust and debris, but they are also easier to clean. Consider your environment carefully when choosing the unit that’s best for you.
Number of Doors
Choosing the door type and number of doors is dependent on the way you will be using your commercial freezer. First, you can find freezers with single, double, or triple doors each presenting varying lengths and square feet of storage. Freezer doors usually swing out or slide open and many have automatic closing features to save energy. One feature about the doors that’s important is to look at the handle design. Door handles can easily be damaged in a busy kitchen and recessed handles are an easy way to keep that from happening.
Top-of-the-line Features
Some freezers have more features or different functionality than others and it’s important to get the freezer that best suits your operational needs so a little research can go a long way. You can find pass-through freezers which have a door on the front and the back, so product can be passed through from the back of the house to the front of the house or loaded from one side to the other. There are also Roll-in freezers which offer plentiful storage for large quantities of frozen food. Some freezers offer removable gaskets that are easier to clean and maintain. There are many more features available so be sure to research what varied brands offer.
Energy Consumption
This is a hot topic as utilities rarely seem to go down! Commercial foodservice equipment is designed for high volume use and with that comes higher energy consumption. One of the best ways to find an energy efficient commercial freezer is to look for Energy Star certification. While you may pay more upfront for this feature, you’ll save over time. You’ll also want to check to see if there are any state, municipal or federal tax incentives or any utility rebates for purchases of energy star equipment in your area.
