Your Guide for Selecting a Walk-in Refrigerator kitchen.services/your-guide-for-selecting-a-walk-in-refrigerator/ May 24, 2021
Whether it is for commercial purposes or residential, we all are very conscious when it comes to making big investments. Be it due to their giant size, the installation cost, maintenance charges, or energy costs, all reasons require you to do adequate research before you invest in any Walk-In Refrigerator. This is why Kitchen Services came up with a professional guide for you to make an educated decision. Before replacing or buying a new walk-in refrigerator, you need to know when is the right time to buy a new one.
When Should I Buy a New Walk-In Refrigerator? Consider these following points before you decide on buying a new walk-in refrigerator. Your foodservice business that produces items on a high volume requires a large storage space. This is when you will need a walk-in refrigerator or freezer. You will require a commercial walk-in refrigerator or freezer if you are planning on extending your food business by inaugurating new branches. If your old walk-in fridge is no longer efficient and does not keep your items fresh then it’s time to move onto a better walk-in refrigerator.
1/4
Types of Walk-In Refrigerators There are two categories of walk-in refrigerators from which you can choose your type. 1. Prefabricated Walk-Ins: These kinds of walk-ins are made from pre-made urethane. They come in set layouts and sizes. Below we have mentioned some benefits of prefabricated walk-ins. This type is not that expensive. You can change the configuration depending on your business needs. It is only fair to look at the drawbacks of prefabricated walk-ins as well They come in limited sizes. They are not as long-lasting as the other type (built-in unit). 2. Built-In Walk-Ins: Built-in walk-in refrigerator is designed with walls that are heavily insulated. They have got structural tiles that cover the floor and the walls. Let’s shed some light on the pros of Built-in walk-ins. They come in unlimited sizes for you to choose from. You can customize one according to your needs and design. The cons of these Built-ins are: They are expensive to design. They are not as easily expanded after completion as you would wish for your business needs.
2/4
These all above-mentioned points are important for a person who wants to buy a walk-in refrigerator. Having enough knowledge and in-depth information will assist him in making a sensible choice when it comes to cooling appliances. After selecting a type that fits your needs, you should consider the following points when buying a new walk-in refrigerator. Storage Space When it comes to storage space, for restaurant owners it is always better to have too much area of space than having insufficient space. For instance, if you are running a restaurant or any other business that requires a commercial walk-in refrigerator, you will need around 1.5 cubic feet of storage space. Hence, considering the storage capacity before buying is one of the most important things that matter. Type of Food to Store The next thing you should consider is the “type” of food you will be storing in your walk-in fridge. Keep in mind that the refrigerators have a temperature range that goes from 35° F to 41° F. They are able to keep things very cold but not frozen. For instance, you can use a walk-in refrigerator to keep desserts, ready-to-make food items, yogurt, milk, drinks, etc. type items in it. However, if you want to store things like raw meat or frozen items, then a walk-in freezer is the right option for you. Refrigeration System Before buying a walk-in refrigerator, it is important for you to study the refrigeration system you have, in detail. For example, there are remote refrigeration systems. These are usually located outdoors while your walk-in fridge is installed indoors. This can be a good option for those who don’t want extra noise and heat around their walk-ins. There are different purposes and benefits of different refrigeration systems. Where to Install Installation of a walk-in refrigerator or freezer is not an easy task. It causes a lot of disturbance. There are two options of installations you can avail of when it comes to walkin refrigerators. Indoor Installation: Indoor installation is not always a good idea. To get indoor installation, you should know that they are going to occupy a lot of your space in the kitchen. Depending on your interior space and size, your options for refrigerators become limited as well. If your restaurant is located in a hot and humid environment, then don’t opt for indoor installation. It will add extra heat and humidity to your sitting area and kitchen, making it unpleasant and uncomfortable.
3/4
Outdoor Installation: Outdoor installation will save you from all the above-mentioned problems. However, when installing your walk-in refrigerator outdoors, there are a few things to consider. Your walk-in should be able to bear the sunlight, rain, or occasional winds. Energy Consumption Big appliances come with a price i.e. the electricity bills. If you are choosing a large unit, then you should keep in mind that it will require a large compressor. Consequently, heavy electricity bills. To save your money, what you can do is that you can opt for polyurethane insulation, with high density that can be proven to be energy efficient. Ensure that the ceiling, walls, and flooring of your walk-in are insulated. This will prevent leakages. Hence, resulting in less energy consumption.
4/4