Commercial Versus Conventional Refrigerators
Commerical refrigerators are designed for businesses such as restaurants and cafes, coffee shops, hotels, offices and other commercial spaces. They offer larger capacities, increased durability compared to residential refrigerators, and more cooling power. Additional cooling power is important for commercial use because with more frequent door openings, it’s more difficult to control a fridge’s interior temperature. In business settings, there are also health and safety laws to consider for safely storing food.
Though they’re designed for commercial use, commercial fridges can be used in residential settings. With more room inside, commercial fridges are ideal for those who like to entertain often or simply have a large family. Whether you’re looking for a fridge for a cafe or one to use at home, here are some considerations to think about.
Types of Commercial Refrigerators
Not all commercial refrigerators are created equal. There are a variety of styles to complement a range of uses. From large commercial fridges for professional kitchens to compact options for cafes or retail spaces, there's an ideal commercial fridge for every space.
Merchandiser
If you run a business and want to display items for purchase, a merchandiser refrigerator is a great option. They’re designed with glass doors allowing for clear visibility of items inside. Adjustable shelves allow for display of a range of items, from soda cans to wine bottles. If you want to show off packaged goods and beverages, a glass door refrigerator, also known as a display refrigerator, is a must.
Reach-In
This commercial refrigerator style is commonly used back-of-house in restaurants. Reach-in refrigerators have ample space to store produce, condiments, prepared dishes and more.
Compact
A compact commercial refrigerator allows for installation in tight spaces, whether that be under a counter or on a countertop.
Freezerless
Freezerless commercial refrigerators are built without a freezer compartment. They're ideal for small businesses who want to display items like baked goods while not needing the option to freeze items.
Open-Air
Commercial refrigerators without doors, or open-air fridges, are commonly used for grab-and-go items like pre-made salads, sandwiches and beverages. In place of doors, this fridge style uses an air curtain to keep the interior of the refrigerator cold.
Door Material
Commercial fridges come in two different door styles: glass or stainless steel. If you want visibility into the contents inside of the fridge, choose a commercial fridge with a glass door. Double-layer glass doors eliminate condensation, keeping the glass from fogging to allow for clear visibility. If you want to keep contents hidden instead, opt for a stainless steel door.
Compressor Location
Commercial fridges are designed with either a top-mounted compressor or bottom-mounted compressor. Both styles come with pros and cons. Top-mount compressors are less susceptible to collecting dust and debris from the floor that could clog coils. However, this style of fridge isn’t ideal for cooking line applications as they’re more prone to collecting grease which can cause issues with clogged coils.
Bottom-mount compressors are typically easier to clean as the coils are closer to the floor, eliminating the need for a ladder for cleaning and servicing. They’re also out of reach from grease, steam and other cooking outputs that could potentially clog the compressor, resulting in more maintenance.
Capacity
Generally, commercial refrigerators offer more capacity compared to conventional refrigerators. Capacity is measured by cubic feet and dictates how much food a fridge can hold. Capacity ranges significantly from one commercial fridge to another. There are compact options that offer 5 or 6 cubic feet of storage to oversized options that offer 45 cubic feet or more.
Other Commercial Refrigerator Features
Below are a few features found in popular modern commercial fridges.
Door Locks
Lockable doors are essential for some commercial refrigerators. For example, many hotel bars utilize fridges with door locks to minimize theft.
Portability
Some commercial refrigerators are designed on rolling casters, allowing for easy maneuvering. If you want to have flexibility on the location of your commercial refrigerator, choose one with built-in casters. Caster wheels can be locked for safety.
Interior Lighting
In any fridge, interior lighting is an important feature. But it's even more important to have high-quality lighting in a commercial fridge. Commercial fridges with LED lighting help to clearly showcase the contents of the fridge, making it easier for customers to choose products.
Adjustable Shelves
Adjustable shelves can be moved to accommodate a variety of food storage containers and other products, providing flexibility for storing inventory.
Where Can Commercial Refrigerators Be Used?
Commonly used in restaurants, supermarkets and other food-related businesses, commercial refrigerators can be used in a variety of other locations including:
- Medical offices
- Corporate offices
- Homes with large families
- Apartment complex common areas
- Gyms
- Airports
- Home garages