A commercial refrigerator is one of the largest pieces of industrial kitchen equipment you’ll need to buy, so research is essential. It’s important to choose the right size, manufacturer, and model that will best fit your needs. The right piece of equipment will streamline your team’s storage and prep, helping them to work effectively for years to come. As you’re deciding on a commercial refrigerator, reflect on the following guidelines to find the best commercial kitchen refrigeration system for you.
1. Get a sense of your cold storage needs.
You’re probably considering buying a new commercial refrigerator for one of two reasons. Either you’re starting a new restaurant and need to install refrigeration or
your current refrigerator is broken
or too small. In either case, you want to buy a cooler that will fit your space and work well for years to come. The key to doing this is to calculate your cold storage needs. If you’re outgrowing your current refrigerator, take note of how many cubic feet it is. Is your current inventory a little crowded, or do you have room to move around? After you’ve figured out the rough cubic storage you’ll need, add a little extra to your estimate. Demand for your product could grow, and it’s better to have more cold storage than less. Crowding a refrigerator with product can hamper air flow, which will freeze up a unit. Ample space will help keep the
ambient temperature of the commercial refrigerator steady.
2. Consider buying a pre-owned commercial kitchen refrigerator.
Buying secondhand can save you hundreds of dollars
on commercial kitchen equipment without sacrificing performance. The restaurant industry has extremely high turnover, and commercial kitchens can shut down due to mismanagement, inexperience, location, or consumer preferences. In an industry that moves quickly, barely-used equipment is often sold to pay back investors if a restaurant closes. With a little shopping and asking your connections, you can find like-new equipment that is in good working order at a serious discount. Check online regularly and attend equipment auctions. If you can, inspect the equipment before you buy it so that you can get a better sense of the age and condition of the unit. An authorized service agent may be able to inspect the refrigerator and give feedback on its functioning.
3. See if the unit can be fixed.
Before you buy, check with a reputable commercial kitchen repair company to see if your old refrigeration unit can be repaired. Even if you have a very old model, some repair companies also
stock parts for older or vintage equipment. Or, the repair service may know of a machine that’s recently been retired from which they could source parts. While you may need to replace your equipment eventually, a repair can keep your unit running while you work on saving for and sourcing a new piece of equipment.
4. Choose a reputable manufacturer.
There are hundreds of commercial refrigeration manufacturers, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, so it can be difficult to determine what company to choose. Once you’ve chosen a manufacturer, you have to consider many of the different models they offer, which can make the choice even more confusing. If you work with a trusted commercial kitchen repair service, see if you can speak to your service technician about the brands and models they trust most. If they have years of experience repairing refrigerators, they know which brands they’re constantly fixing and which manufacturers only need yearly service check-ups. Their expertise can guide you as you make an expensive investment in your restaurant.
5. Measure twice, buy once.
Before buying a commercial refrigerator, carefully consider the physical space you have available for the unit. Remember to measure the depth, width, and height of both the space and the unit itself. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily want to choose the largest refrigerator that will physically fit in the allotted space. You’ll want to provide extra room around the unit for several reasons. First, you’ll need to make sure there’s space to open and close the doors. Second, consider the extra space you may need for water hookups and electric lines; plus, the unit needs room to breathe to properly discharge heat. Finally, think about how much additional space someone servicing the unit may need. Allowing ample “wiggle room” around your refrigerator will make long-term maintenance much easier.
Need help choosing a commercial refrigerator?
We’ve helped businesses of all types choose a refrigerator that fits their commercial kitchen needs. Need help choosing yours?
Reach out to us for our expert advice—gained over our 30 years of experience servicing commercial kitchen equipment. Once you’ve found the right unit, it’s essential to schedule regular planned maintenance to prevent any major issues from occurring. Call us today for a service appointment or to receive a
planned maintenance quote.
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