Choosing Your Walk-in Condenser Location
Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are essential pieces of equipment in many foodservice operations because they can be used to store everything from bulk ingredients and prepared food to kegs. It's important to ensure you purchase a unit that has been sized correctly for the space you have available, but to get the most out of your walk-in, you'll need to outfit your unit with the right components and accessories. If you're purchasing a self-contained walk-in, this process includes selecting the location for the condenser that best suits your needs: the ceiling or the wall.
The condenser needs access to the inside of the cooler or freezer in order to remove heat from the cavity, and it needs to reach outside so it can pump that heat into the external air. The cooling apparatus either sticks up into the room around the walk-in or within the walk-in itself, reducing your total usable space. You'll need to choose a condenser that fits into the space available, but other than that, each option offers some benefits and drawbacks, which we'll cover below.
Choose Ceiling Mounted If:
- You have room on top of the walk-in
- You want the most possible space inside the walk-in
- You want to keep the condenser safe from tampering
Choose Wall Mounted If:
- There's no room above your walk-in
- You need more storage height than width
- You're installing the unit in a small room
When to Choose a Ceiling-mounted Condenser
Walk-ins with ceiling-mounted condensers are the most common, so the majority of the units you have to choose from will have this design. Because the condenser is bolted onto the top of the unit, it's harder for unauthorized people to reach and might be better safeguarded against tampering, which can be beneficial if the walk-in is installed outdoors.
When purchasing a walk-in with a ceiling-mounted condenser, make sure to note whether the refrigeration system sits flush with the interior of the unit. If the condenser doesn't sit flush with the ceiling, it may hang down several inches or even a couple of feet into the cold storage area. You'll need to take this into account when planning the design of your walk-in's shelving and storage since the condenser requires clearance on the interior, as well.
If the walk-in is installed indoors, you'll also need to make sure the room is tall enough not only to accommodate the unit itself but also to accommodate the walk-in refrigeration system that's on top of it. The condenser requires enough clearance to provide adequate air circulation for its fans, as well as sufficient space for the system to be accessed when it needs to be serviced. This is usually at least a couple feet of space above the top of the condensing unit. Walk-ins with ceiling-mounted condensers measuring 6 feet 7 inches tall generally can't be installed in rooms with ceiling heights of less than 9 feet, and a ceiling height of at least 10 feet is needed for walk-ins with ceiling-mounted condensers measuring between 7 feet 4 inches tall and 7 feet 7 inches tall.
When to Choose a Wall-mounted Condenser
If the room where your walk-in will be installed doesn't have a sufficient ceiling height to provide the needed clearance for the top-mounted condenser, you should look at purchasing a walk-in with a wall-mounted system instead. This is generally the best option for basement installations and other smaller rooms. The main drawback to this type of walk-in is that shelving can't be placed in front of the condenser, which lowers the available storage space. Blocking the intake will damage the condenser and prevent it from cooling the walk-in.
