The fridge, the cooler and the freezer are among the most integral pieces of equipment in your restaurant. They’re what enables the entire place to function efficiently, which is why having the right types is essential. Refrigerators come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and configurations. They’re designed to maintain temperatures between 0°C-5°C, and store large quantities of different types of foods. Without further ado, let’s get into the most popular types of fridges and freezers that you should explore for your restaurant.

Reach-In Refrigerators and Freezers

When you’re out to buy commercial fridge, you’ll most likely run into this type of fridges and freezers. These models stand upright and often feature multiple sections for maximum storage capacity, which is determined by the cubic feet of the unit. Reach-in models fit best at the back of the kitchen, away from the heated line of cooking. This is extremely important in order to keep your stored food at a safe temperature. To maintain the quality of your foods in a reach-in fridge, use the first in – first out principle for organizing.

Walk-in Fridges and Freezers

Walk-in fridges and freezers are ideal for restaurants that need large amounts of cold storage space. Some units can be as small as a closet, while others can be as large as a room. Again, the model you choose should include shelving for maximum organization and storage. Walk-in fridges and freezers are great for storing boxed items such as produce, or any other items that require a lot of space and are perishable.

Undercounter Fridges

You’ll come across various different types of undercounter fridges when you’re out to buy commercial fridge. The most popular types for restaurant refrigeration are drawer-fridges and refrigerated prep-tables. Drawer-fridges are also known as fish-drawers, and they’re commonly used to store meat, seafood, and poultry. They’re ideal for small kitchens, and they’re designed for installation directly in the cooking line, near the saute and grill stations. Additionally, drawer-fridges can save a lot of space if implemented right.

Prep-table fridges come in two configurations – pizza prep and sandwich/salad prep tables. The main difference between the two types is the depth of the cutting board. You can use these fridges directly in the preparation area or cooking line. Prep-table fridges keep food pans cool and fresh with their cold storage wells or rails. Additionally, these models feature drawers before the counter for extra cold storage space.