Commercial Milk Coolers

Commercial Milk Coolers: What You Need to Know

Milk coolers give school cafeterias means to keep milk cartons cool and can be used to keep dairy cold in back-of-house operations or provide a chilled pass-thru between kitchens and bars for bottled beer. These powerful refrigeration systems offer cooling either by forcing chilled air through the top and bottom of the interior or by chilling the walls of the unit, enabling it to keep dense liquids cold. Many milk box models have main lids on top with secondary doors on the front that cannot open unless the main doors are open. This design makes it easier to get crates in and out and for small children to serve themselves from the cooler.

Common Questions About Milk Coolers

What is a milk cooler?

Commercial milk coolers are large-scale refrigerators most commonly used to store milk cartons for use in high-volume cafeterias, such as those found in public schools. Milk coolers usually are short and wide to facilitate easy access; most have wheels so they can be positioned wherever is best.

What size commercial milk cooler do I need?

The first aspect to consider is how large a milk cooler you'll need. The main dimension to keep in mind is crate capacity. Because milk is usually shipped and held in crates, this also tells you how many cartons the unit will hold.

The smallest milk box models hold eight milk crates, while the largest hold double that. Each crate can hold 64 half-pint cartons, so even the smallest unit can hold 512 half-pints. To determine which size is best for your operation, first figure out what type of milk container will go inside the unit. A crate also can accommodate four one-gallon jugs at a time. The smallest milk cooler holds 32 gallons of milk. After you've determined what type of container you will store, figure out how much is used between deliveries. Your cooler needs to be big enough to keep an adequate supply of milk.

Should I choose a top- or front-opening cooler?

All models have lids on the top. However, you can purchase a model that also has a secondary door on the front for easier access. These doors cannot be opened unless the main ones on top are opened. The purpose of these doors is to ease loading and removing milk crates. Fully loaded crates of milk weighs 35 pounds each, so this can be useful, especially in a high-volume establishment.

Side-mounted doors also have a second benefit: They make it easier for young children to see and reach inside the cooler for milk cartons. If you buy a unit for use in an elementary school or daycare, you may wish to have side-mounted doors simply to make it easier for young children to get cartons out of the cooler.

What exterior material should I choose?

Models are available in either stainless steel or a combination of stainless steel and vinyl.

• Stainless steel resists dents, scratches, and corrosion. Because people will inevitably leave fingerprints on these machines, this is something to consider. Steel also is more expensive than vinyl and typically is found on top-of-the-line models.
• Milk coolers made with a combination of stainless and vinyl are available. Since people frequently put full milk crates down on the top-mounted doors, stainless steel doors are used here to prevent dents and damage. The rest of the body is white laminate for lower costs and easy cleaning. This material is generally durable, though rust may form underneath if the vinyl peels or chips.

What interior material should I choose?

Commercial milk fridges are available with one of three different types of interior construction: galvanized steel, stainless steel, or white aluminum.

• Galvanized steel interiors are a low-cost, corrosion-resistant option. They are less expensive than stainless steel but are more difficult to clean because this is a coarser material.
• Stainless steel interiors are more expensive but more durable than galvanized steel. Due to there being no pores or cracks in this material, it is also easier to clean. This is very important for these machines, as milk is bound to leak from faulty cartons, which can lead to bacterial growth and foul odors.
• Lately, white aluminum has become a popular option for these models. It is also corrosion resistant and smooth for easy cleaning. It's less expensive than stainless steel because it isn't as durable, though it's also strong enough to support heavy, full milk crates.

What specialty options are available?

There are several specialty options that can make a model perfect for your establishment. Floor drains are available for easy cleaning; these let you spray out the milk box and have the water carry the spill down the drain. Some models have tray slides available that enable customers to rest their food trays as they go through the line. Dual-sided models have doors on two sides and are designed to be mounted in the middle of a split cafeteria line. This enables a milk cooler to serve customers from each side simultaneously.