Choosing A Fridge

Domestic fridges and commercial fridges look very similar, but they are in fact quite different. With a domestic fridge the power of the compressor is designed around the limited number of times the domestic fridge door is opened during the day. A low powered compressor will be able to cope with the minimal heat loss without food safety risks.

Commercial Kitchen Fridges

Commercial fridges used in busy working kitchens, will be opened far more regularly and be exposed to a far hotter kitchen environment. Therefore, the compressor needs to be powerful enough to rapidly cool down the internal fridge temperature, thus replacing the heat lost.

Fan Assisted Refrigeration

Many commercial fridges incorporate fans which evenly spread the cool air through the unit - a feature which domestic fridges do not have. Commercial fridges also have better insulation and are designed for easy cleaning. As well as freestanding fridges it is also possible to purchase walk-in fridges which can be built to fit a specific kitchen area.

Purchasing the Correct Fridge

Before choosing a new fridge, talk to a catering equipment supplier who will look at the type of operation you are running, the mix of fresh, chilled and frozen food you serve, as well as the volume of meals you are preparing and most importantly the space that is available.

There are many types of fridge used in a professional catering kitchen, ranging from undercounter units, counter fridges that can be used against a wall or in the middle of a kitchen and walk-in fridge rooms either internal or external.