commercial refrigeration equipment in a kitchen

Commercial refrigeration equipment is extremely important for commercial kitchens, so you need to ensure you are choosing the right one for your business.

To help you decide we have pulled together the key considerations when finding the best commercial refrigeration equipment to match your kitchen’s purpose, size and style.

5 Things to consider when choosing commercial refrigeration equipment

1. Your refrigerator’s storage capacity

This is an important decision; if you choose too big you will be wasting energy. Choose too small and there might not be enough space for the air to circulate and keep produce at the desired temperature. When choosing the size of your commercial refrigerator, consider the following factors:

  • Your menu
  • Volume of customers
  • Your opening times and the amount of food stored at certain times
  • Space for potential leftovers
unstocked commerical refrigeration unit
commercial kitchen space with refrigeration equipment

2. The available space within your kitchen

This should be considered when designing your kitchen. If you are in the design stage of your project then take a look at our guide to designing a commercial kitchen to help plan where best your refrigerator will fit. Luckily, commercial refrigerators are available in a variety of styles and sizes that will suit your kitchen’s needs. You should also consider:

  • Where your refrigerator will be placed — this could influence the type of refrigerator
  • Consider the space in front — this may affect what type of doors you will need
  • Choose a refrigerator that will benefit your staff and create a better environment

3. What temperature is required for your produce

This is dependent on your kitchen’s purpose, customer volume and the type of food you are offering on your menu. You will then know what produce you will be storing and at what temperature it needs to be stored safely in order to avoid bacteria contamination. Remember, you need to also ensure your refrigerator has enough space for airflow to circulate effectively and function at the ideal temperature.

temperature controlled commercial kitchen refrigeration units
commercial kitchen refrigeration energy efficiency

4. Consider its energy efficiency

We are all looking at ways to help the planet and lower our carbon footprint, as well as save money. A commercial refrigerator is a large piece of equipment within your kitchen and can account for nearly a third of energy consumption, resulting in costly bills. It is also one of the only appliances in your kitchen to be in constant use 24 hours, 7 days a week, so you want to find an option that is both cost-effective and energy-efficient.

5. Consider the type of commercial refrigeration equipment you need

As we mentioned before, there are multiple different styles and sizes of commercial refrigerator equipment. To help you decide, we have listed the different options and benefits of each one below.

Stand-alone fridges

  • Great for medium to large commercial kitchens
  • Upright design
  • The most popular and recognisable style
  • A large capacity
  • Low energy footprint
  • Flexible configuration with movable shelves
  • Double-door models available

Under-counter fridge

  • Ideal for smaller commercial kitchens
  • Compact design
  • Lightweight compared to other refrigerators
  • Most models have solid doors
  • Provides fast access to supplies
  • They don’t take up any counter space
  • They cause minimal disruption as they’re tucked out of the way
  • Popular for front of house layouts or low demand kitchens

Refrigerated counters

  • Great for smaller commercial kitchens
  • Waist-high in height
  • A multi-purpose unit with chilled under counter storage and worktop space
  • Made with a durable, stainless steel surface

Cold rooms

  • Great for big spaces or kitchens that have additional rooms
  • Can store large volumes of food
  • Provides a chilled storage space
  • Can be an internal or remote unit
commercial kitchen equipment consultation

Choosing the right commercial refrigeration

These 5 tips should help you decide which commercial refrigeration equipment is best suited for your kitchen. If you are still unsure or would like some advice, find out how our expert commercial kitchen designers can recommend the right style of refrigerator that will add value to your kitchen and meet your business needs.

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