Customizing Arctic Walk-Ins for Your Business
Arctic Industries' Blue Line series walk-in coolers and freezers provide standard quick-ship models that meet a variety of business needs. However, some concepts require custom walk-in sizes and features, which is why Arctic offers custom-built walk-ins. Whether you need an unconventionally sized walk-in, a combination walk-in cooler and freezer, or a specialty display concept, this guide explains the process of ordering a custom walk-in from Arctic before contacting a KaTom representative.
When ordering an Arctic walk-in, you'll need to fill out an Arctic Quote Request Form. Completing it in advance will save time. Once finished, reach out to a KaTom representative with the completed form.
Ordering Your Custom Arctic Walk-In
The quote request form includes the following options:
Box Type: Your walk-in can be a cooler, a freezer, or a combination cooler-freezer. The standard cooler temperature is 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezers are typically set at -10 degrees Fahrenheit, but a 0-degree Fahrenheit unit is available. You can also order a combination unit that provides both cooler and freezer sections in one walk-in.
Box Size: Be prepared to give the width, length, and height of your desired walk-in; if ordering a combination unit, you'll need to know the dimensions of both the cooler and the freezer sections.
Insulation: You'll need to choose between 4 or 53/8 inches of foamed-in-place insulation.
Floor: To prevent potential damage to both the unit and the surrounding environment, nearly every Arctic walk-in freezer needs a floor. If a walk-in cooler is being installed at grade, it will not need a floor, but a floor is recommended for units installed in any other environment. Floors can be stainless steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum, with options for diamond tread or reinforced subfloors using a 1⁄2-inch or 3⁄4-inch-thick marine-grade plywood subfloor. This wood is treated to resist the absorption of water so it will not mold or weaken if in contact with moisture. This option works well for heavy-duty use to support mounted shelving but must be specified before manufacturing begins.
Finishes: Arctic walk-ins are available in more than 100 finishes, including a variety of metals, textures, colors, patterns, and vinyl. The standard finish is 24-gauge Acrylume, a steel coated with a special resin to protect it against fingerprints, discoloration, and corrosion. Other common finishes include galvanized steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Doors: The standard door is a 34-inch wide by 78-inch tall swinging door and includes 36-inch-high diamond-tread kickplates on each side. Custom door options include:
- Non-standard sizing
- No kickplates
- Stainless steel kickplates
- Doors that swing inward
- Sliding doors
- Glass doors for merchandising or display
- Bi-parting doors
If you don't need Arctic to supply the doors for your unit, request a framed wall opening and provide the exact dimensions needed to accommodate your selected door.
Door Accessories: There are several door accessories available for your unit:
- Add polished chrome hardware for durability and a cleaner look.
- A third hinge goes between the top and bottom hinges to provide additional support to the door. This can be valuable for high-volume operations where employees access the unit several times a day.
- Jamb guards are placed over the door jamb to protect it from damage from the door itself or from equipment passing through it.
- An audio visual (AV) alarm is a thermostat that can be set to alert operators if the box's temperature falls outside the specified range. For example, a cooler's AV alarm may be set to go off if the temperature goes above 40 degrees or below 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A door can also house a vision panel, or a heated or unheated window (either 14 inches square or 14 inches by 24 inches) in a cooler. All freezer vision panels are heated to prevent frost that could obscure the user’s view.
- LED vapor-proof lights illuminate the doorway and surrounding area.
Refrigeration: Determine if your system will be indoor or outdoor, then choose between water- or air-cooled systems and remote or self-contained refrigeration. Self-contained systems may be flush-, top-, or straddle-mounted. You'll need to specify both your unit's temperature requirements and your desired horsepower, voltage, and phase. Design options for beer keg coolers and freezers that open into coolers are also available. To avoid overworking the unit, note what the ambient temperature will be and if it will be accessed more than twice per hour, as refrigerators are sized for this standard use.
Box Accessories: Your Arctic walk-in freezer or cooler may be customized with several accessories that improve your unit's functionality.
- Entrance ramp: For use on the inside, outside, or both
- Strip curtain: Helps prevent cold air from escaping when the door is opened
- Interior LED lighting: Mounts on the ceiling or above the door
Box Location: Indoors or outdoor installation determines whether you need additional features, such as a membrane or sloped roof, a rain hood over the doors, or a perimeter angle. If your unit is installed outdoors:
- A rubber roof cap, called a membrane roof, can be added to protect your Arctic walk-in from water.
- The sloped roof is an angled roof that prevents the accumulation of water and snow that would otherwise settle on top of your walk-in.
- L-shaped aluminum channels known as perimeter angles are used to secure the unit in place. They're attached to both the concrete slab below the walk-in and the bottom of the walk-in itself. Perimeter angles are recommended when the walls of your Arctic walk-in cooler or freezer exceed 12 feet in height.
After reviewing the best options for your custom walk-in, contact our team at KaTom. Our foodservice equipment specialists will assist you with any questions.
