What are the different types of refrigeration for restaurants? Refrigeration is important when it comes to keeping your perishable ingredients safe and fresh to eat. With so many options, it is not easy to know exactly the one that will be right for your business.
A good first step is deciding whether you prefer a reach-in or walk-in refrigerator. While the choice may seem easy, there are various factors to consider when making a decision.
Reach-In Refrigeration
When it comes to reach-in vs. walk-in there are a few different things to consider. Here are some reasons why reach-in refrigeration may be the perfect fit for your business.
Not enough space in your kitchen. Reach-in refrigerators and freezers have smaller footprints. This is why kitchens have several different units at various locations, so staff has the ability to grab the required ingredients quickly without having to go too far from their station or spend time searching for them in a large walk-in unit.
Flexibility is important to you. Reach-ins are easier and smaller to install than walk-ins and can be put in whatever position you need them to be put in. If you are thinking about changing the layout of your kitchen in the future, you can take comfort in knowing that reach-in units are easier to move.
Walk-In Refrigeration
If you are considering walk-in refrigeration instead, it may be the right fit for you if:
Your business serves a lot of guests at a single time. Few things are more annoying to guests than ordering a meal only to find out that the kitchen doesn’t have the ingredients available. Restaurants with high front-of-house seat counts should always have large amounts of ingredients in the kitchen. This helps them to avoid running out of them in the future. A walk-in of good size will allow enough space to do just that in an organized fashion.
Your business has certain requirements for cold storage. Walk-ins, unlike reach-in units, are available in standard sizes and are much more customizable. You can create a well-built unit for your kitchen’s unique needs.
Your business plans on purchasing perishables in bulk. A great way to save money when securing supplies for your restaurant is to buy everything in bulk. However, this also requires your business to have a lot of storage. Walk-in units offer this additional room to keep your ingredients fresh until they are ready to be used.
The biggest thing is you shouldn’t be afraid to mix and match. When it comes to your restaurant equipment, you should always consider valuing simplicity in your restaurant equipment and limiting your kitchen to only what you really need.
Walk-in coolers help keep large amounts of products or food fresh for restaurants and groceries. That’s why you need to keep them running efficiently and properly at all times. At American Refrigeration Inc, we provide dependable heating and cooling services to customers in Eugene and Portland, OR. We can also handle any commercial HVAC repair, no matter your unit.
Learn the signs of a malfunctioning walk-in cooler to avoid losing money, time, and inventory. Here are some early warning signs of walk-in cooler trouble.
Door Damage and Wear
Inspect the door for any damage and wear on the seal if you suspect something is wrong with your unit. This problem can be costly to repair because air might leak out of the cooler and cause the unit to overheat. A walk-in-cooler experiences this problem, mainly when it’s continuously used in a fast-paced environment.
Odd Smells
A stale or strange smell usually accompanies coolant leaks. If you notice a smelly odor, your unit might be leaky, and its condensers are malfunctioning and old. So, ensure you call a refrigeration equipment services expert to fix the issue immediately.
Frost Buildup
Frost buildup indicates that temperatures in your unit are changing dramatically, causing it to melt and refreeze. It might also signal that the humidity levels are off and your unit faces excess condensation. If frost buildups near your door, this might signal that it isn’t sealed properly and might be leaking warm air in. Check the door gaskets for damage whenever you face this issue.
Water Leaks
Walk-in coolers typically have seals and insulation. If these are faulty and old, they can cause water leaks. This issue must be fixed immediately because water leaks might lead to mildew and mold growth in your unit.
Air Leaks
Air leaking from your unit signifies that it requires a professional repair. If your walk-in cooler leaks air, there are two possible causes, both of which need immediate attention:
The unit is experiencing rising temperatures
Your walk-in cooler is still maintaining temperatures but is being overworked. This might lead to costly breakdowns.
The Motor Constantly Runs
There is likely an issue if you can hear your unit’s motor running constantly. Of course, the motor might occasionally run to help maintain optimum temperatures, but your unit is faulty if it never turns off.
Fluctuating Temperatures
Walk-in coolers should maintain an optimal temperature to help function properly. At times, temperature fluctuations are caused by a faulty sensor. So, ensure its doors aren’t being propped open for long. This helps keep warm air out and ensures your unit doesn’t work harder than it should.
Strange Noises
If you hear off noises in your unit, this typically means there is a mechanical problem that needs immediate attention. Call your service technician to help find the root cause and recommend the next step in fixing the issue.
Let American Refrigeration Inc Keep Your Business Running
For all yourcommercial refrigeration requirements, turn to American Refrigeration Inc in Eugene and Portland, OR. We are your number one choice for fixing walk-in cooler malfunctions.Contact us today for your commercial refrigeration installation, maintenance services, and restaurant equipment repair.
At American Refrigeration Inc., we provide refrigerator and cooler services and products of all kinds. From walk-in cooler installation to commercial refrigeration equipment, we provide something for everyone. We assist our customers with an understanding of the best coolers and refrigerators for them. Today, we want to look at self-contained vs remote walk-in coolers to help make it possible for you to understand the differences between the two and why they are both important to consider.
What Are Self-Contained Cooler Units?
These are units that have all of the components to keep your food cool and fresh easily. This includes holding an evaporator and condenser within the cooler as well. These are widely popular cooler units, and they are used in 90% of commercial kitchens these days.
Pros of Self-Contained Cooler Units
Advantages of the self-contained cooler units include the following facts:
Easy to Set Up. These refrigerators are essentially a plug and play cooler unit. You can set it up easily from the moment that you receive the unit.
All in One Purchase. There is no need for you to continue to purchase more and more parts and pieces when you get a self-contained cooler. You buy everything that you need all in one purchase when you purchase a self-container cooler unit.
Simple to Move. You can move these units around your kitchen as necessary to put them in just the right place so you can get the most value out of them.
These are all upsides of a self-container cooler. If you are the kind of person who likes something that is truly set up to be easy to move where you need it to go, then this is the kind of cooler unit that is probably right for you.
Cons of Self-Contained Cooler Units
There are a few drawbacks to these cooler units as well, including:
They produce a lot of heat in the kitchen.
Your air conditioner may have to work harder to keep up with all of the extra heat.
What Are Remote Units?
Food service companies often use remote units as they can store bulk food and other products in them easily. This can be a great solution for someone who needs to get the most out of their unit without having to think about how they will store all of the bulk food that they have available.
Pros of Remote Units
Fewer components to deal with
Can bring down your electric bill
In cool climates, these units can be installed on the roof
At the same time, there are downsides to remote units as well, including:
Expensive to install because they require the help of a professional
Can be more time-consuming to repair
You should consider all of the facts that play a role in how remote units work when you are looking at which kind of unit you need to go with. Don’t take it for granted that you can get a better unit if you know what to look for. Always weigh out your pros and cons, and then make your final choice.
A walk-in cooler is a must-have for any business that needs to keep perishable items cool and fresh. But with so many types and sizes of walk-in coolers on the market, how do you know which one is right for your business?
Here are a few things to consider when choosing a commercial refrigeration contractor to install a walk-in cooler for your business:
1. Space Size Requirements
You first need to determine how much space you have to work with. Walk-in coolers come in a variety of sizes, so you need to make sure you have enough space to accommodate the one you choose.
2. Your Budget
Walk-in coolers can range in price, so you need to make sure you have enough money to invest in the one you need. You may want to consider a used model if you have a limited budget. In addition to the cooler, you may have to spend money to update the surrounding space or floor.
3. The Type of Business You Have
If you have a restaurant, you need to make sure you choose a walk-in cooler that is designed for food storage. However, if you are a florist, you would most likely use a different model.
The type of business affects what products you will store. So you must consider the size of the cooler. Don’t buy a huge cooler if you are storing smaller products for a short amount of time, such as ice cream or beer. You can get a smaller unit that will take up less space and still hold the same amount of product.
4. The Location of Your Business
Think about the climate of the area your business is in. If you live in a hot climate, you must choose a cooler that can withstand the heat.
Do you expect to place the cooler outside? If so, consider the surrounding surroundings and floor space. An insulated floor is a must for outside coolers. You also need to protect it from the elements like rain and snow, so you will have to add protection to the cooler’s roof.
5. The Temperature You Need
When choosing a walk-in cooler, you need to consider the temperature you need to maintain. Most walk-in coolers can be set to different temperatures, so you need to choose one that can reach the desired temperature. For example, if you are storing meat, you need to make sure the walk-in cooler can reach a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pick The Right Walk-In Cooler for Your Business
In conclusion, before you start any walk in cooler installation project, you should carefully consider factors such as location, product, weather, and budget. This will help you choose the best commercial refrigeration contractor and the best walk-in cooler for your business.
Your commercial refrigerator is made up of several complex parts, all of which must work together to keep your food and beverages chilled. The refrigerator compressor is one of the most crucial components in this system. It’s responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout the fridge. This refrigerant is what absorbs heat from inside the fridge and transfers it outside. Without a properly functioning compressor, your fridge would quickly become too warm to store food safely.
That said, compressors do occasionally break down. When this happens, you’ll need to call a professional for commercial compressor repair. A trained technician will diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs. In some cases, the compressor may need to be replaced. Let’s look at some of the signs indicating problems with the compressor so that you know when to call for repairs.
1. Strange Noises From the Compressor
There are normal sounds that your fridge’s compressor makes as it runs. For instance, it’s common for it to make a humming sound. It can also make light clicking noises as it cycles on and off. However, if you start hearing strange noises coming from the compressor, this is a cause for concern. Grinding, rattling, and other loud noises could indicate that the compressor is overloaded or that there are objects striking it. These kinds of sounds usually require professional cold room compressor repair. A qualified technician can determine the source of the noise and make the necessary repairs.
2. Fluctuating Temperature
If your fridge is struggling to maintain a consistent temperature, this could be a sign that the compressor is having difficulty circulating refrigerant. When the compressor can’t circulate refrigerant properly, it causes the temperature inside the fridge to fluctuate. This can lead to food spoilage and other problems. If you notice that the temperature inside your fridge is fluctuating, call a commercial refrigerator repair technician right away. The longer you wait to call for repairs, the greater the risk of food spoilage and other issues.
3. Compressor Runs Constantly
In a well-functioning fridge, the compressor should cycle on and off as needed to maintain a consistent temperature. If the compressor is running constantly, this could indicate that it’s not cycling off properly. This, in turn, could mean that the fridge isn’t cooling properly. On top of that, a compressor that runs constantly is more likely to overheat and break down. Since this is a potentially serious problem, it’s best to call for commercial refrigerator compressor repair as soon as you notice this issue.
4. Refrigerator Is Overheating
As we mentioned, a compressor that runs constantly is more likely to overheat. If you notice that your fridge is overheating, this is a cause for concern. An overheating fridge could damage the compressor and other components. It could be an issue with the compressor fan or another component. In any case, it’s best to have a professional take a look as soon as possible.
These are just a few of the signs that indicate problems with your fridge’s compressor. If you notice any of these issues, don’t hesitate to call a commercial refrigerator repair technician. The sooner you call for repairs, the less likely it is that you’ll experience extensive damage to your fridge.
