Howard-McCray

Common Questions About Howard McCray

Is this the McCray refrigerator company?

Howard and McCray merged in 1975, but the McCray name is still recognized as one of the top refrigerated merchandiser manufacturers. The resulting company was called Howard McCray, so if you're looking for McCray refrigerator equipment, you've come to the right place. McCray brought over a hundred years of experience in food refrigeration to the table – McCray began in 1887 when Elmer McCray and his father built a cold storage room to cut down on spoilage and ensure customer safety.

What types of Howard McCray refrigeration equipment are available?

This company is known mostly for its various refrigerated merchandiser styles, but it also makes gelato dipping cabinets, island cases, and reach-in refrigerators, among other designs. The wide assortment of merchandisers and other refrigerator units means you're likely to find whatever style of self-contained refrigeration you need here.

What are the differences between open and closed merchandisers?

Open merchandisers have no door and can be accessed by customers with little difficulty, but a closed merchandiser has a door or sliding cover that must be moved before accessing the products. Open merchandisers present their contents to your customers without a barrier between them and are frequently seen in grocery and convenience stores that do grab-and-go business. Open merchandisers are often used with prepackaged goods – wrapped sandwiches, gallons of milk, or packaged meats – but some open merchandisers can be used with foods such as fresh fruit, provided they have an air curtain to keep pests away from the produce. However, these open-air models must expend more energy than closed models to keep their compartments cold because they have no door to provide insulation and trap the cold air.

Closed merchandisers have a door – hinged or sliding – between the refrigerated goods and the customer or operator behind the machine. This design provides insulation between the refrigerated compartment and the rest of the room to save money on utilities, but it creates an extra barrier for your customer when they are grabbing a quick lunch before checkout. Closed merchandisers save more money on utilities than open units, so if you're concerned with energy costs, go with a closed unit.

Can I place several merchandisers in a line?

Howard McCray refrigeration has an "endless" design that enables operators to set up multiple merchandisers beside each other and increase total storage. If you have the room and desire for multiple merchandisers in a row, this endless design provides a seamless, professional aesthetic. Consult the product specifications page for each unit and look for "endless design" to see if the models can be converted to that configuration.

What other features should I consider?

The options for merchandisers and reach-in refrigerators are quite numerous, but you should keep a few notable features in mind when shopping.

• Electronic defrost - Enables operators to defrost the machine with the push of a button.
• Stainless steel top - Gives operators a place to work on top of the machine. Great for distributing cuts of meat or other refrigerated goods.
• LED lighting - Bright lights give customers the best possible view of the goods being offered, drawing attention in a way that dim displays don't.
• Thermal-insulated front glass - Improves insulation and keeps the refrigerated compartment cool. This feature will save on utilities.