A Comprehensive Guide to Hoshizaki Refrigeration

Established by Shigetoshi Sakamoto in February 1947, Hoshizaki Corporation started as Hoshizaki Electric Company in Nagoya, Japan, before expanding to locations in California and Georgia in the 1980s. As the corporation grew, so did its products. Initially selling items unrelated to foodservice, such as vehicle horns, Hoshizaki gradually extended its offerings to commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, and more. Although the corporation is best known for its signature line of commercial ice makers, Hoshizaki brings much more to the table. The different types of Hoshizaki refrigeration available today ensure operators can choose a reliable piece of equipment from the respected brand, no matter their concept.

Choosing Hoshizaki Refrigeration for Your Business

Hoshizaki's catalogue of refrigeration equipment includes everything from classic reach-ins to display cases. Learn about those products below before browsing our selection to find the right units for your operation.

Hoshizaki Upright Refrigeration

Hoshizaki refrigerators and freezers are equipped with thermal expansion valves that acclimate refrigerant flow to the enclosure's heat load for an immediate response to temperature changes. These units enable the enclosure's air conditioner to operate at maximum capacity, eliminating compressor breakdowns. Hoshizaki refrigerators and freezers are designed to handle variations in refrigerant charge, and they optimize temperature control by letting operators manage enclosure temperatures in a smaller range.

Upright refrigeration options from Hoshizaki include reach-ins available with as many as three sections, glass door merchandisers with one or two sections, and compact undercounter or countertop versions.

Hoshizaki refrigerators and freezers may be equipped with several features that benefit different applications:

Dual-temperature controls enable one piece of equipment to provide different temperature zones, accommodating products with different refrigeration requirements.
Pass-thru freezers and refrigerators permit items to be stocked from the back and removed from the front, promoting a first-in, first-out inventory control system.
Made for operations that stock refrigerators and freezers with many products at once, roll-in and roll-thru units let employees roll carts full of product into the freezer or refrigerator. Roll-in units are constructed with a small ramp at the opening that supports the cart, while roll-thru refrigerators and freezers have a ramp on either side that enables the cart to pass through the unit entirely.

Hoshizaki Undercounter and Worktop Refrigeration

As with upright refrigerators and freezers, Hoshizaki undercounter and worktop refrigerators are available with one to three sections.

To add storage space, undercounter units can be placed beneath commercial counters. These compact refrigerators are simple to install, and most models are designed with front-breathing vents, making them suitable for installation between other pieces of equipment. To facilitate mobility, some undercounter refrigeration is equipped with casters, while others have two front legs and two back rollers, making them more suitable for stationary applications. Units with more than one section are always constructed with casters. These pieces of undercounter refrigeration can be moved around commercial kitchens, but their tops aren't intended for use as a work area, which is why they're shorter than worktops and don't have a backsplash.

Similar to undercounter refrigerators, Hoshizaki worktops save space and provide additional storage. Rather than fit beneath countertops, these units stand on their own, and their work surfaces are suitable for ingredient prep and meal assembly. To prevent splatter from hitting the wall, worktops are designed with backsplashes that help keep messes contained to the table top, and operators have full access to ingredients stored in their doors and drawers. All these units are equipped with casters, enabling worktops to be relocated for cleaning.

Undercounter and worktop refrigeration comes with various door and drawer configurations, each with different pros and cons:

Drawers provide quick ingredient access. To streamline movement from storage to preparation, operators can place pans of ingredients in drawers – a useful feature when frequent access to product is necessary. Drawers increase ingredient visibility and maximize limited kitchen space, reducing congestion during busy periods. The downside is that users can't check the status of ingredients without opening a drawer, and it's more difficult for undercounter freezers and refrigerators to maintain consistent temperatures when the drawer is opened and closed frequently.
Doors let operators store larger items that can be accessed in bulk, and glass doors provide more visibility of the unit's interior. However, doors require more bending over and lifting than drawers, increasing labor requirements. They can also make it more challenging to access items quickly.

Hoshizaki Prep Tables

Hoshizaki food prep tables consist of a refrigerated cabinet base and a top that can accommodate different amounts of food pans. Along with these standard components, the units also include a cutting board mounted on top of the table's base – a design that lets users prep food directly on the prep table. For maximum durability, Hoshizaki prep tables are constructed of stainless steel with self-closing doors that retain cold air.

These units streamline meal prep and assembly by consolidating equipment and ingredients into one space. As with undercounter and worktop refrigeration, prep tables are available with various door and drawer configurations. Doors give these units a reach-in design that provides a large storage space, while drawers optimize access to ingredients.

Prep tables are available with two types of tops: standard or mega.

Prep tables with standard tops usually come with two rows of food pans. Suitable for low-volume businesses, these units are ideal for preparing simple salads, subs, and sandwiches.
Mega top prep tables can hold 50 percent more items than standard units. These prep tables have a shallow cutting board that leaves room for an expanded pan rail. Mega top units are ideal for high-volume foodservice operations that offer a large selection of toppings and ingredients.

Prep tables are further categorized by use, as their different configurations are designed for specific foods:

Sandwich prep tables have narrower cutting boards and generally provide more room for toppings, accommodating the wide variety of salad and sandwich ingredients required to customize meals.
Pizza prep tables are equipped with deep cutting boards that can usually accommodate even the largest-diameter pizza a restaurant may need to prepare. These prep tables are larger than sandwich prep units and have deeper refrigeration. Because the pan rail is elevated above the cutting board, employees have more room to work with pizzas.

Hoshizaki Display Cases

Optimal for presenting fresh items, such as sushi, Hoshizaki display cases are constructed of durable stainless steel – a strong material that resists wear and tear over time. To enhance product visibility for guests, these units' interiors are illuminated by LED lights, and the front glass panel is curved to offer a full view of products. Hoshizaki display cases come with food-mount plates to hold product. These self-contained units are simple to install and maintain, and operators can choose between display cases that have a compressor on the left or right side.

Hoshizaki Glass Door Merchandisers

Glass door merchandisers are designed for front-of-house use to display products, so operators must ensure these units maintain a professional appearance in order to entice patrons to make impulse purchases. Hoshizaki merchandisers feature large glass doors to maximize product visibility, along with LED signage and interior lighting.

To hold more products, glass door merchandisers have more shelves than standard commercial refrigerators, and they're available in two door configurations:

Sliding door Hoshizaki merchandisers can withstand rigorous use. These doors are made of a durable glass that tolerates repeated opening and closing; their self-closing design ensures cold air remains sealed in the cabinet.
Swinging door Hoshizaki merchandisers are more suited for operations where environmental control is a necessity. Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications, these units can be locked for additional security.

Hoshizaki Bar Refrigerators

A cornerstone of cafes, convenience stores, and restaurants, Hoshizaki bar refrigerators keep canned and bottled beverages refrigerated. Units with a low profile can be placed beneath counters, and their shelves are adjustable for accommodating tall items. All Hoshizaki bar refrigerators are equipped with swing doors, though they differ in door material:

Solid door bar refrigerators are ideal for product that doesn't need to be displayed. These units are optimal for insulation, keeping items safely refrigerated with maximum energy efficiency.

Bar refrigerators with glass doors let employees and customers view product, facilitating inventory counts and discouraging patrons from leaving the door open for extended periods. This configuration also can increase sales because it merchandises product to passersby.

Hoshizaki Bottle Coolers

Bottle coolers keep beverages cold for extended periods, displaying product front of the house while using less energy than full-size refrigerators. Hoshizaki units are equipped with glass doors to enhance merchandising and are available in two materials:

Stainless steel bottle coolers resist denting and scratching. These durable units withstand wear and tear over time and bring a distinctive look to operations.
Bottle coolers with a vinyl-coated exterior are the economical alternative to stainless steel units. Vinyl Hoshizaki coolers are resistant to corrosion and come in black.

Hoshizaki Draft Beer Systems

Draft beer systems combine kegs and refrigerators into one piece of equipment. These units dispense beer from their taps, and each system can accommodate a different number of kegs. Similar to bottle coolers, Hoshizaki draft beer systems are available in economical black laminate or durable stainless steel. The more kegs a unit can contain, the more columns – and the more taps – it'll have.