Using Walk-In Coolers

Get the most out of your commercial walk-in coolers and keep them working properly

To get the most use out of a walk-in freezer or refrigerator, you'll want to estimate your storage needs accurately before you buy a unit. Make sure you find a unit that cools to an adequate temperature for storing the products you intend to store. After you've narrowed your choices and purchased a commercial walk-in freezer or cooler, follow the proper food storage procedures and keep your unit up to code.

Almost all restaurant or food service businesses deal with using walk-in coolers for frozen or refrigerated foods on a regular basis. The cooler sometimes goes unnoticed, but it is the most important equipment you have. Without it, thousands of dollars in food could spoil virtually overnight. Make the most of your cooler by:

1. Finding a style of walk-in refrigerator that works for you.

2. Meeting all food storage regulations and policies.

3. Keeping your cooler or freezer working properly.

 

Find suppliers of walk-in coolers with the options you need

Don't settle for the first cooler you find. Shop around to find the proper cooling unit with the dimensions you need to store your food products. The worst decision you can make is a fast buy of a cooler that ends up being too small to house all your perishable items.
Try: Refrigerating all types of foods and beverages to the same temperature isn't practical since many have different suitable cooling temperatures. Choose a split refrigeration system from Kramer USA if you need to store different products like meats and produce so you can adjust temperatures in different sections of the cooler. Compare walk-in freezers and refrigeration units and their prices at My Simon, or get help choosing a unit type at Dragon Enterprise Company. They also have a suitable food refrigeration levels index.

Keep your commercial walk-in refrigerator or freezer up to standard

Make sure you are meeting all refrigeration standards for the types of food you are storing. Beverages, produces, meats and dairy all have different suitable storage temperatures.
Try: Find suitable storage temperatures and food safety information any virtually any food item using the Penn State Food Safety Database. Make sure your commercial walk-in coolers meet federal standards by checking the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection's regulations and policies online.

Get the service and maintenance you need for walk-in refrigerators and freezers

Whether you have purchased new units or used walk-in freezers or coolers, it's important to keep your equipment cooling properly. All coolers and freezers should have proper temperature controls and be checked regularly.
Try: Find a quality service company to perform routine maintenance, fix a broken cooler or replace parts through the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association. The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers also has a database of qualified technicians.

 

• Commercial coolers can be expensive purchases for any sized business. Consider split systems if you can't afford both a freezer and refrigeration walk-in unit, or if you don't have the room to house one.

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