Your Open-air Merchandiser Options

Instead of using doors, open-air coolers create an air wall to maintain temperatures and prevent unsanitary things, such as dirt and insects, from entering the equipment. Consumers will have an enhanced view of the interior, so your products will be showcased properly.

Open-air curtain merchandisers are made to keep cold items cold, not cool product down. When stocking, verify your product is at its optimal holding temperature already, and then place it in an area where it won’t disrupt the flow of the air curtain. Ensuring the unit is fully loaded with items keeps it running efficiently.

Commercial display refrigerators come in three forms: horizontal, vertical, and undercounter. Many horizontal models are constructed with glass sides, so customers have maximum product visibility. Horizontal varieties are available with black, stainless steel, or white exteriors, and some are designed with bright, energy-efficient LED lighting, while others include standard fluorescent lighting. Many models are equipped with a night curtain that will conserve energy during your business’s closed hours. Vertical open-air merchandisers are similar to conventional display coolers in design. They measure between 30 and 97 inches wide and are 57 to 82 inches tall, containing as many as nine levels of shelving for maximum product exposure. Undercounter open-air coolers are your compact option. We recommend them for chilled grab-and-go items, and they are designed with an LED top light that amplifies item visibility, while end panels with mirrors enhance visual appeal. Front panels can extend over the end panels to blend with adjacent countertop space, and the counter surface can be extended over the top of the unit to create greater space continuity.

Additionally, keep in mind compressor location before you purchase your open-air curtain merchandiser. Many are made with bottom-mounted compressors that enable convenient maintenance access and raise product higher, so consumers don’t have to bend low to reach bottom-shelf items. Remote compressors are another option, and while they do produce less heat and noise, they’re not an economical alternative.

Caring for Your Commercial Display Refrigerator

Open-air merchandisers can be great pieces of equipment for you and your customers, so you’ll want to give them proper care and maintenance. Below, we’ll examine the precautions you should take with your unit, what it needs to deliver peak performance, and the steps you can take to ensure it lives a long and fulfilling life at your establishment.

Cautions

The condenser, evaporator coils, and refrigerant tubing are prone to damage during cleaning, handling, installing, and moving, so be especially conscious of this when you inevitably do one of these tasks. Refrigerant can seep out of the pipes and injure someone’s eyes, so if you detect a leak, verify your open-air cooler isn’t near any potential ignition sources or open flames for several minutes at least. There is a direct ratio of room size to refrigerant amount for each unit, and you can read your operator’s manual to see what requirements exist for yours. If there is any sign of damage, do not start up your appliance. Contact a service professional immediately. Finally, keep any ventilation openings clear of obstruction to ensure even air flow.

Application

Keep your open-air curtain merchandiser away from direct sunlight, HVAC vents, fans, and doorways, because these all disrupt the consistent flow of the air curtain, rendering product unsafe for consumption. Your commercial display refrigerator should be level on all four corners, and there should be enough clearance for optimal air circulation. Generally, this means it is four inches away from the wall and 12 inches below the ceiling. Product should not be loaded beyond any shelf edges.

Arrangement

Ensure your open-air merchandiser has access to the power supply the manufacturer deems suitable for the unit. Do not allow your equipment to share sockets with other units, as this could overload the circuit, terminating the warranty or causing a fire. Keep the unit away from water and never alter its cables. Any direct water splashes could cause electric shock or start a fire. Open-air coolers are only suitable for food product, so do not use them to house alcohol, adhesive, medicine, flammable materials such as paint, or other nonfood products. If power to the unit is ever interrupted, turn it off and wait five minutes to restart it.

Care

Be sure to keep your open-air curtain merchandiser properly cleaned and maintained. Unplug the socket before any maintenance and, to prevent electrical shocks and short circuits, never use a damaged plug or loose socket. Do not use harsh detergents to clean the unit. Instead, dip a soft cloth in tableware detergent or neutral detergent to clean the exterior, then wipe it down with a dry, soft cloth. To clean the racks, remove them and use water. Wipe the box with a soft cloth. If you clean it for an extended period, shut down the unit, remove all product, and unplug the wall socket, making sure to clean the interior and exterior thoroughly.

To clean your commercial display refrigerator’s condenser coil, disconnect the unit from electrical power, use a screwdriver to remove the front and base covers, and brush the debris from the finned condenser coil. Don’t forget to replace the covers and reconnect the unit when finished.

Some open-air merchandisers are constructed with a self-cleaning condenser. In this case, condenser cleaning isn’t required, although you should still blow the condenser coil out with Nitrogen twice yearly. Also bear in mind that self-cleaning condensers may not facilitate grease removal.

Damage Assessment

If you experience any problems with your open-air cooler, consult the following checklists, and if troubleshooting the issue on your own doesn’t work, call the manufacturer.

Merchandiser Not Functioning

1. Has the breaker tripped?
2. Is the unit supplied with enough power?
3. Is the equipment on?

Merchandiser is Warm

1. Is the condenser clean?
2. Is the inner airflow blocked by products?

Lights Aren’t Working

1. Is the light switch on?
2. Are the lights correctly placed in the lamp holders?