4 tips for Buying the Right Reach-In Refrigerator
Time pass by and the days of the simple freezer refrigerator models are now gone. Today, Reach-in refrigerators and freezers are one of the most important part to any commercial kitchen. There are many different options to choose from when considering purchasing a Commercial Refrigerator. Not only are there many styles, options, and prices available, but they also come with variety of features and there’s a good reason to choose one feature over the other based on the needs of your restaurant. Thus, purchasing this kitchen equipment is no easy decision.
Commercial Reach-In refrigerators are generally used in food businesses for short term food and ingredient storage, as opposed to large Walk-in Refrigerator that store bulk ingredients in long term. These restaurant equipment are built for heavy duty use and have a more powerful compressor than residential refrigerators.
When the time comes for you to buy a new reach-in refrigerator or freezer for your business, you will notice there are quite a lot of options out there. It isn’t always easy to choose new restaurant equipment, but we are here to help you make the right choice. Here are 4 tips for buying the right Reach-In Refrigerator for your commercial kitchen.
1. Brand Matters
Like most equipment you buy, your commercial refrigerator’s brand matters. There are several manufacturers out there, so it is very important to choose a manufacturer you know you can trust. Some brands are focusing on making the highest quality units, while other brands will aim to offer uncompromised value at the best possible price. Bottom line is every manufacturer has its niche.
2. Warranty
There’s no equipment that lasts forever, and even the best refrigerator on earth eventually need maintenance service. When that time occurs, you want your equipment fixed in a flash. Commercial refrigeration has some of the most extensive warranties available in the kitchen equipment manufacturing industry, with some brands offering up to 3 years parts and labor coverage. Generally, these warranties are complemented by a large service group of certified technicians that helps get your equipment run and operate quickly if any mishaps happen. Knowing what each brand offers for warranty and service will help you choose the reach-in refrigerator that’s right for your business.
3. Size and Capacity
Commercial refrigerators and freezers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. The most common way to measure its size is the number of doors. Reach-in Refrigerators are generally available in 1 up to 3 door configurations. To choose the right unit for your commercial kitchen, start with what you know, measure the area you want to allocate in your kitchen so you have the exterior dimensions fixed down. Don’t forget to measure the doorways, your refrigerators and freezers will need to fit through the entrance too.
The next thing to do is to look at its interior dimensions. How much storage capacity do you need for your restaurant? Some of these restaurant equipment will have the same exterior but differ in available interior capacity. Think through your normal stock purchase orders and how many customers you usually serve on a daily basis, then choose the right unit that will accommodate your business requirements.
4. Condenser Location
Condensing unit is the part of your refrigerator that does most of the effort to keep your stock ingredients cold. Reach-in refrigerators come in two flavors: top-mount and bottom-mount. They both have their proper places in different setting.
Bottom-mount refrigerators are often preferred for their easy cleaning and maintenance feature, better accessibility to food stock, and lower stress on the unit in hotter surroundings. On the other hand, top-mount units are often chosen because they don’t trap as much dust and debris, plus they don’t blow hot air into the cabinet when the doors are opened. There are pros and cons to both configurations, therefore you should weigh the options and decide which is suitable for your business.
While there are lots of options for refrigerators and freezers, we are confident that if you pay careful attention to these four critical areas, you will make a great decision in choosing the right Reach-In Refrigerator for your commercial kitchen.
Refrigeration is one of the most important areas of any restaurant or commercial kitchen. Fun Food Thailand Ltd. provides all the necessary equipment that you need. We carry a large selection of Bar Refrigeration, Commercial Ice Machines, Commercial Freezers, Glass Door Refrigerators, Solid Door Refrigerators, Show & Display Cases, Refrigerator Work Tables, Wine Coolers and Walk-Ins. Need help finding an item? Call our expert team at +66 (0)98 398 9770 or email us at sales@funfoodthailand.com.
