Produce Coolers

Produce Merchandisers: What You Need to Know

Produce coolers are ubiquitous in grocery stores across the country because they are the best way to both display and refrigerate fresh produce. This equipment provides storage space, refrigeration, and attractive lighting that draws customer eyes to the vibrant colors of fresh fruits and vegetables. These refrigerated produce displays are also helpful because they enable your customers to serve themselves; guests can sort through the available produce and find the cantaloupe or head of lettuce that looks best to them.

Choosing the right produce display fridge can save money on power bills, increase sales, and optimize valuable floor space in your establishment. We carry a range of sizes and specifications so every operator can find a produce merchandiser that meets their needs. A produce cooler is not the same as a refrigerator and cannot be used in the same way.

Common Questions About Produce Coolers

Are produce coolers the same as refrigerators?

Produce display fridges do not function the same as a closing, reach-in, or walk-in refrigerator. They refrigerate produce kept in their cold zone, but because a produce display case is open to the air, it doesn't have the same refrigerating power as a true refrigerator. This difference is most evident when you look at the temperature of produce that must be put in the cold zone. A refrigerator is built to bring food down to a certain temperature; a produce display fridge, on the other hand, is built to maintain food at a low, safe temperature. This means the produce you're adding to the produce display case should already be at a refrigerated temperature, though the exact temperature the produce should be at is determined by the model of produce display case you've chosen. Consult the product specifications page for more information on the specific unit you're considering.

Should I get a top- or bottom-mounted compressor?

Both top- and bottom-mounted compressors will keep your food chilled and maintain safety. The differences are minor but can be important in certain circumstances. Air-cooled compressors, which most produce merchandisers use, bring in ambient air to cool the refrigerant. Because heat rises, bottom-mounted compressors bring in cooler air, which means they don't work quite as hard as top-mounted compressors to cool down. This can save you money in utilities over the life of the machine. On the other hand, while top-mounted compressors draw in slightly warmer ambient air, they are also further away from falling dust and debris, which means the top-mounted compressor stays cleaner than the bottom-mounted one.

If your environment has lots of dust and debris, a top-mounted compressor will be easier to maintain and will likely perform better. However, if your environment is especially warm, a bottom-mounted compressor will draw in the coolest air in the room, saving money on utilities. Regardless of the type of compressor you choose, proper maintenance is the best way to get the longest life and lowest utility bills out of your produce cooler.