Maintaining safe and appealing temperatures for food and beverages is a must for businesses ranging from restaurants and cafes to bakeries, delis, cafeterias, bars, and entertainment venues.
For some businesses, commercial coolers are largely a back-of-the-house tool for storing and prepping food. However, commercial coolers not in the back must do more than maintain appropriate temperatures for others. They must also display products in ways that are both appealing and easily accessible.
Commercial coolers and commercial refrigerators are available in several designs to meet the varied needs of this wide variety of businesses. Knowing the options available and what features to look for can help you make the right choice for your specific refrigeration needs. These types include walk-in coolers, reach-in coolers, under-counter coolers, work-top coolers, display coolers, merchandising coolers, open-air coolers, glass door coolers, drop-in coolers, and countertop coolers.
High-quality commercial coolers and commercial refrigerators from recognized brands can provide years of reliable service. Recommended brands include Avantco, Beverage-Air, Continental Refrigerator, Delfield, Duke, Hoshizaki, Kolpak, Leader, Nor-Lake, Perlick, Traulsen, True, and Turbo Air.
Size is one significant consideration when selecting the right type of cooler for your establishment. At the top end of the size spectrum, you find walk-in coolers. These are essentially specially designed, room-sized refrigeration units that allow for bulk storage of various foods and beverages.
Both indoor and outdoor options are available. These coolers are designed to hold foods at low temperatures but are not intended to be opened frequently and should generally be used in conjunction with some type of reach-in cooler.
Reach-in coolers come in one, two, and three-section varieties and are designed to bring food temperatures down quickly and support regular door opening without compromising food safety due to temperature fluctuations. Storage needs and space considerations determine what reach-in cooler makes sense for your business.
Undercounter and work-top coolers provide easily accessible refrigerated storage in food prep areas. Many are available with top-side storage and workspaces specially designed to accommodate the preparation of foods like pizza, sandwiches, and salads. Back bar coolers are similar to other under-counter refrigeration units.
Still, the interiors are specially sized to accommodate bottles and cans while allowing for good visibility of what is being stored, making it easy for a busy bartender to find what is needed even when things get busy.
Walk-in coolers and walk-in refrigerators are essential for businesses needing bulk storage solutions. These room-sized units are designed to maintain low temperatures for large quantities of food and beverages.
There are indoor and outdoor walk-in coolers. Indoor models are great for controlled environments, while outdoor versions are built to withstand external elements. Walk-in coolers help businesses control refrigeration and safely store large amounts of perishable items. They are ideal for restaurants, supermarkets, and other food service establishments.
Proper installation and regular maintenance are crucial for efficiently operating walk-in coolers. This ensures longevity and consistent performance. When selecting a walk-in cooler, consider your business's size, location, and specific needs.
Display and merchandising coolers, commonly used in convenience stores to control refrigeration, can fit virtually any environment. Open-air coolers display grab-and-go food on shelves that customers can easily access, making them a great choice for convenience and impulse-buy items. Glass door coolers are ideal for beverage displays and allow customers to see the full array of drink options.
When considering your options for glass door coolers, review your overall space and planned arrangement to determine whether swing or sliding doors make sense for your location. Drop-in and countertop coolers provide additional display and merchandising options for locations where space may be limited.
Commercial coolers are crucial for maintaining food safety by keeping perishable items at consistent, safe temperatures. This helps prevent bacterial growth and food spoilage, ensuring food products remain fresh and safe for consumption. Regular use of commercial coolers also helps businesses comply with health and safety regulations.
When choosing a commercial cooler, consider factors such as the size of your establishment, the volume of items you need to store, and the frequency of access. Walk-in coolers are ideal for bulk storage, while reach-in and under-counter coolers are better for frequent use and limited space.
Walk-in coolers provide large-scale storage solutions, maintaining low temperatures for extensive quantities of food and beverages. They are suitable for restaurants, supermarkets, and other large-scale food service businesses, offering both indoor and outdoor options.
Regular maintenance of commercial coolers is crucial to ensure efficient operation and longevity. It is recommended that professional maintenance checks be scheduled at least twice a year and that routine cleaning and inspections be performed regularly.
On our website, you can explore our complementary products, such as pizza ovens , commercial freezers, and commercial dishwashers. These products are designed to work seamlessly with our commercial coolers, ensuring a comprehensive solution for your commercial kitchen needs.
High-quality commercial coolers from recognized brands can provide years of reliable service. Recommended brands include Avantco, Beverage-Air, Continental Refrigerator, Delfield, Duke, Hoshizaki, Kolpak, Leader, Nor-Lake, Perlick, Traulsen, True, Turbo Air.