A refrigeration system, which includes freezer and refrigerator, is a quintessential element in commercial kitchen design and planning. The refrigerator and freezer help keep the food fresh and safe for the customers, so you must look for a high-end equipment without compromising on the quality aspect. As there are different types of commercial refrigeration systems with each having specific utility, buying the one that is fit for your kitchen might not be easy. To help you select the right equipment, we are discussing the types of commercial refrigeration systems in the first part of the blog post.
1. Reach-In Refrigerator
A reach-in refrigerator/freezer is the most common type of commercial refrigeration. The equipment comes in sizes ranging from approximately 26” wide to 87” wide and has decent space to store most of the food items. You can easily access the refrigerator at an arm’s length while standing. Some units might come with casters so that you can move them around in the kitchen with ease.
2. Undercounter Refrigerator
An undercounter refrigerator has the same purpose as the reach-in model, but it stores food in smaller quantity and occupies less area. You can keep the refrigerator under the front counter so that it can be easily accessed by the staff. An undercounter refrigerator is an ideal unit for a kitchen with space constraint or when you need a cold storage solution for frequent use.
Related Read: 5 Focus Areas of Commercial Kitchen Planning and Management
3. Worktop Refrigerator
A worktop refrigerator serves dual purpose – it works as a preparation table and station to make a dish and you can also store necessary food items in the refrigerator. Some models come with the option of storage hoods, pans, cutting boards and drawers. The unit can be placed in the middle of the kitchen or on the front counter because of its versatile usage.
4. Walk-In Refrigerator
A walk-in refrigerator is ideal to store a large quantity of food on directly accessible shelves. The equipment comes in both freezer and refrigeration option. You can keep a walk-in refrigerator in store-backs and mass storage facilities as it will be accessed only by the kitchen staff.
5. Display Case
A display case refrigerator is only meant for display purpose as it doesn’t maintain the shelf-life of the food product. The equipment is ideal if you want to display food items to help buyers in making a purchase decision. Some common types of display cases are – vertical and horizontal open display refrigerators, bakery display cases, open air coolers and deli display cases.
Final Words
A high-grade commercial refrigeration system keeps the food ingredients safe for consumption and helps you maintain the reputation for serving high quality food. In addition to different types, there are other elements such as type of food items to be stored and size of the equipment to consider when choosing a refrigeration system. We will discuss the remaining aspects in the next blog post. If you have questions related to commercial kitchen planning and choosing the right equipment, you can always reach out to HPG Consulting by filling out the contact form.