Buying Tips for Commercial Reach-in Freezers

Nearly every commercial kitchen will need the storage a commercial reach-in freezer offers; finding the right one can make a big difference in how smoothly your kitchen runs. The wide variety of commercial reach-in freezers on the market can make deciding on one seem daunting, but this same diversity means you can find a freezer that suits your needs perfectly without any unnecessary features.

1. Freezer Size

The dimensions and storage space of a unit should be your first consideration. Commercial reach-in freezers are measured broadly in sections and more specifically in cubic feet of storage. However, cubic footage is often less important than shelf or pan capacity since a large interior with poorly placed shelving can mean lots of wasted space and higher energy costs.

On the other hand, enough empty space must be left for air to circulate and maintain the proper temperatures, so if you are wavering on which size to purchase, estimate high. Be aware of how much physical space you have to work with in your kitchen, including the installation space and any doors or halls the freezer must pass through to get there.

• Look at shelf space or pan capacity rather than total cubic feet, which can be misleading.
• Maintain enough airflow for the compressor to function.
• Guess high; an overfilled freezer won't last long.

2. Compressor Location

All commercial reach-in freezer compressors are mounted on either the top or bottom. A top-mounted compressor is generally more expensive, but because it is located up high, it is less likely to get clogged with grease and need maintenance. Top-mounted compressors have to work harder than bottom-mounted compressors because heat rises, meaning the air a top-mounted compressor pulls in will be warmer. However, in kitchens that use lots of dry ingredients, such as bakeries, a bottom-mounted compressor may become clogged when flour and other ingredients settle near the floor and are pulled in by the compressor. Bottom-mounted compressors offer slightly less storage space, but because the bottom shelf is higher, the storage it offers is easier to access.

• Top-mounted compressors bring in warmer air than bottom-mounted ones.
• Bottom-mounted compressors draw in more dust, flour, and debris and need frequent cleanings.
• Compressor location will change how low the lowest shelf sits.

3. Doors

Commercial reach-in freezers come in one-, two-, and three-door models. Because they typically get longer with each additional section, some of this choice is dictated by the space available to you. Most feature swing doors, which are full-length doors that swing open. Half doors also swing open, enabling you to open the upper and lower half separately and reduce cool-air loss when the doors are open to conserve energy.

If you are concerned about the doors swinging open to block traffic, sliding doors may work better for you. These doors are great for narrow aisles, but only one side can be open at a time. All these doors are available in solid constructions, which are easier to clean and provide better insulation, or glass, which offers visibility and can decrease the time the doors are open by enabling users to locate what they need before they open the unit.

• One-, two-, and three-door models are available.
• The number of doors corresponds with the freezer's size.
• Choose sliding doors if you need to keep the walkway clear.

4. Special Features

The special features available on commercial reach-in freezers can have a big impact on optimizing the workflow in your kitchen. For example, pass-through freezers can be great for passing frozen goods or prepped foods from one area of the kitchen to another, such as from the prep area to the cook line.

Roll-in boxes are great if you plan to store entire racks of frozen food. They have a ramp that enables you to roll the entire rack in and then roll it out when you need it, which can be helpful for hotels or restaurants that prep lots of desserts ahead of time. Some reach-in freezers also offer removable gaskets that can make cleaning much easier. Digital thermostats are available on some models and can make the temperature easier to read and adjust; they also provide more accurate readings.

• Pass-through freezers are great for multi-section kitchens.
• Roll-in freezers can store large racks of prepared food.
• Check for easy cleaning features, such as removable gaskets.
• Digital thermostats give you greater temperature accuracy and control.

5. Utilities

Once you've narrowed down the selection to the best commercial freezer for you, verify their energy requirements. Ensure that the reach-in freezer will not overload the circuit you intend to plug it into, and check if you need a 115-volt or 208-volt version. Consider freezers that are ENERGY STAR certified as their energy efficiency can save you a good deal on energy costs over the course of a year. Also, check to see what the freezer's clearance requirements are and that you will have enough room to meet those needs.

• Ensure your kitchen can sustain a new, high-powered piece of equipment.
• Check the voltage against your available electric system.
• Get ENERGY STAR-certified equipment when possible and check for governmental rebates.
• Double check that your planned space can hold the freezer with allowance for air circulation.