Your home and restaurant refrigerators may seem interchangeable, but nothing can be further from the truth. There is a reason commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR is a specialty of its own and the same repair facility cannot normally work on both your restaurant and home refrigerators. To help you better appreciate the unique attributes of your restaurant’s cold storage, here are six key differences between residential and commercial refrigeration:

• Storage: Restaurant refrigerators have more storage—that part is obvious. However, the layout is also different to accommodate food safety protocol as well as hold more items to keep a busy establishment well-supplied. Since door storage is usually not cold enough, commercial refrigerators do not have it. The lack of storage on doors also helps them seal better, which is one element that keeps temperatures consistent.
• Precise thermostats: Residential refrigerators keep temperatures more on preference. You may think of times when you found your drinks frozen and had to adjust the thermostat on your home unit once again to thaw them. Commercial refrigerators must keep items longer, but also maintain them at a temperature required by health codes. Therefore, their thermostats are extremely precise, and do not allow temperature variances of more than two degrees. If you have items freezing in your restaurant refrigerator, it is a big problem rather than a quirk.
• Heavier construction: It may seem like your kids are rough on the home refrigerator, but that is nothing compared to what restaurant equipment experiences. There is constant and quick access to the commercial unit, and yes, lots of door slamming, too, during the busy times. The construction is also more bacteria-resistant, as there is no room for error when it comes to contamination and a restaurant environment.
• Easier cleaning: No one in your household wants to clean the refrigerator. Much of the space is inaccessible and you need to be prepared to remove shelves and crouch for a while as you scrub away. On the other hand, commercial refrigerators are made for frequent cleaning. The interior is coved so cleaning occurs quickly and easily.
• Health code requirements: Most residential refrigerators do not comply with stringent standards placed upon restaurants. They are not insulated to the same extent, and when combined with a less-efficient thermostat, they are unlikely to maintain required temperatures. Commercial refrigerators are designed with health codes in mind.
• Purpose: Home refrigerators are designed for smaller scale duties. The requirements of one family do not compare with the needs of a restaurant, so the residential units remain safe for domestic use. If you feel tempted to switch out for a commercial unit because you suddenly feel it is a less-contaminated option, understand that it is unlikely to fit in your kitchen or have an appropriate power source. Each type of unit is made for its purpose, and your residential refrigerator is more than adequate for home use.

Commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR faces more demands than residential refrigeration, and American Refrigeration Inc. understands this well. Call us when your restaurant refrigerators need cleaning, repairing or even replacing.