At a Glance:
What is a Commercial Refrigerator?
Commercial Refrigerators vs. Residential Refrigerators
Who Could Benefit from a Commercial Refrigerator?
5 Commercial Refrigerator Styles
If you own a business that uses refrigeration, then you know that not just any refrigerator will do. Commercial refrigerators are designed to meet the specific needs of companies, and there are a variety of styles to choose from depending on your business type. To help you find the right pick for your professional kitchen needs, follow our guide to learn more.
Explore Commercial Refrigeration
Commercial RefrigeratorsWhat is a Commercial Refrigerator?
Commercial refrigerators are essential to food businesses, providing a reliable and efficient way to store uncooked ingredients. They are designed differently than residential refrigerators, with features such as high-quality insulation and greater air tightness that keep their contents colder and fresher for longer.
As a result, many businesses use commercial refrigerators, including restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, offices, hospitals, laboratories, and warehouses. Business owners invest in commercial refrigerators because they know their products will be safe from spoilage or contamination for extended periods, even without constant vigilance.
Commercial Refrigerators vs. Residential Refrigerators
Commercial refrigerators are designed to meet the high demand for food storage that many businesses require. While residential refrigerators can be used for short-term food storage, commercial refrigerators are built for longer durations with extra reinforcement and more efficient cooling units.
- A commercial refrigerator has a large capacity that allows a wide variety of businesses to store large amounts of products for extended periods, such as restaurants, caterers, cafes, bars, and hotels.
- Additionally, the construction of commercial freezers enables businesses to store items at temperatures much colder than those reached by residential fridges.
- Their insulation is also more advanced and able to regulate temperatures remotely with digital technology making them essential for industries like medical research and wholesale grocery stores as well as laboratories handling delicate materials or products that are temperature sensitive.
Commercial refrigerators are essential for many businesses, including cafeterias, restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets. Designed specifically to meet the needs of these industries, they are larger and can hold more food and beverages than traditional residential refrigerators.
Additionally, they feature a range of features such as higher-powered compressors that enable them to keep food well below freezing or just above freezing temperature, making them highly efficient. Other features include:
✔ Higher wattage elements for quicker cooling times
✔ Thicker insulation for extended shelf life
✔ Digital control panels for precision instrumentation of temperature and airflow
✔ Unique lighting systems
✔ Better security measures
✔ Greater durability than residential models
Commercial refrigerators stand ready to meet their needs as businesses continue to require refrigeration solutions that can swiftly provide ample space with precise temperature capabilities.
Who Could Benefit from a Commercial Refrigerator?
A commercial refrigerator is a piece of key equipment for any restaurant, grocery store, cafe, or catering company. Here are a few reasons why.
✅ Not only do they offer efficient methods of storing food items and other goods needed to run the daily operations of these businesses, but they also help promote food safety by clearly organizing items and minimizing potential contamination.
✅ Unlike residential refrigerators, commercial refrigerators boast reinforced designs that can better withstand damage caused by everyday wear and tear.
✅ In addition, their features are tailored specifically for professional use with advanced cooling systems that effectively maintain proper temperatures.
✅ They can also easily be adjusted depending on the merchandise volume, remaining cost-effective in the long run.
All these factors make commercial refrigerators invaluable tools for any business that requires proper storage and temperature retention for their goods.
→ Read: 5 Top Side by Side Refrigerators Ranked From Low to High
5 Commercial Refrigerator Styles
With commercial refrigerators, it's essential to consider the needs of your business. Each commercial refrigerator style has unique features that make them ideal for particular environments and applications.
The market's most popular commercial refrigeration styles are walk-in, reach-in, merchandisers, display cases, and undercounter.
- Walk-in refrigerators - perfect for large businesses with a lot of foot traffic
- Reach-in refrigerators - ideal for smaller businesses with limited space
- Merchandisers - great for displaying products in an appealing way
- Display cases - perfect for showcasing items without taking up too much space
- Under-counter refrigerators - perfect for businesses that need to save on countertop space
All five styles offer convenience and versatility but can fit different types of commercial businesses best, depending on needs.
Walk-In Commercial Refrigerators
Walk-in refrigerators are the perfect choice for businesses with a high demand for foot traffic, such as restaurants, supermarkets, and grocery stores.
Thanks to their large space capacity, walk-in refrigerators provide ample storage for chilled items such as meats, dairy products, and produce. Furthermore, they feature flexible interiors that can be easily adjusted according to the individual needs of each business. In addition to their impressive storage capacity and flexibility, walk-in refrigerators also boast advanced technology, such as temperature monitoring systems that help ensure food safety and quality.
All in all, walk-in refrigerators provide an excellent solution for businesses with a lot of foot traffic looking for efficient and reliable commercial refrigeration.
Reach-In Commercial Refrigerators
Reach-in refrigerators are perfect for those looking for affordable commercial refrigeration solutions for their smaller restaurant or fast food service.
These units provide the convenience and efficiency of other non-commercial grade residential appliances but come with the stainless steel construction and improved technology needed to store food safely. Reach-in refrigerators allow operators more control over temperature settings, air circulation, and lighting, without taking up much space. Additionally, they’re engineered to withstand excessive opening/closing and maintain energy efficiency, two key factors that ensure the longevity of any type of refrigeration equipment in a busy commercial environment.
Merchandisers
Merchandisers are the perfect way to show off your products in an attractive and eye-catching way. With various sizes, shelving options, and visual features available, merchandisers such as a commercial beverage cooler can be customized to fit your product efficiently. Not only can they help you capitalize on impulse buying, but they are designed to keep temperatures precisely managed for the best possible results.
These stylish yet functional additions will ensure that your products are presented in their best light!
Display Cases
Display cases, also called commercial drink coolers, are the perfect choice to showcase items without taking up too much space.
Their sleek design provides plenty of visibility without consuming too much of your floor area. They also feature adjustable shelves and security locks, making them ideal for displaying expensive products in commercial and retail settings. Plus, with various finishes and sizes available, you can choose the perfect display case to fit your needs without breaking the bank.
Undercounter Commercial Refrigerators
Businesses that are short on countertop space should consider a commercial undercounter refrigerator as a great solution.
Discreet but still stylish and practical, these commercially manufactured fridges come in different sizes and configurations to fit the needs of each unique business.
Undercounter refrigerators can easily fit into businesses of any size or shape with premium features such as energy efficiency and improved air and temperature circulation. In addition, they are among the most cost-effective solutions in the market today, making them an ideal choice for businesses looking to keep their counters free while still getting all of the benefits a commercial refrigerator offers.
→ Read: What is a Counter Depth Refrigerator?
Commercial Refrigerators We Recommend
Let’s explore a few of our favorite commercial refrigerators designed for specific, professional kitchen settings.
True® Commercial T-Series 23 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Reach-In Solid Swing Door Refrigerator with Hydrocarbon Refrigerant
Experience commercial-grade quality with the True® Commercial T-Series reach-in refrigerator with 23 cubic feet of capacity, designed to protect your long-term investment while offering colder product temperatures and lower utility costs as well!
This True commercial refrigerator includes a uniquely engineered system that uses R290 hydrocarbon refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and three global warming potentials (GWP), making it an environmentally friendly choice for food safety without compromising its value in today's market of food service technology!
Summit® Commercial Series 5.5 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Beverage Center
Refreshment is only a reach away with the Summit® Commercial Series stainless steel beverage center! Boasting an impressive storage capacity of 5.5 cu ft, this beverage center fits snugly into most spaces while providing ample rack space for bottles, cans, and more.
The Summit refrigerator features double pane tempered glass for optimal protection and style in one sleek package — easily reversed to suit your design preference too!
Summit® Commercial Series 7.4 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Beverage Center
Give your business the cold storage solution it needs with this Summit® Commercial Series 7.4 Cu. Ft. beverage center!
Perfect for low-maintenance usage, its digital thermostat ensures precise temperature control while adjustable chrome shelves on a cantilevered system give you customizability to fit different sizes in the striking hammered aluminum interior — ideal for any commercial environment! This is a great upgrade for full-size bar areas that might need a little more food storage than our other recommended beverage center.
Overall, it is evident that when it comes to commercial refrigeration styles, there are many options.
- For businesses with a lot of foot traffic and space needs, walk-in refrigerators are the way to go.
- Reach-in refrigerators are perfect for smaller establishments with limited square footage, while merchandisers make displaying goods easy and attractive.
- Finally, display cases and under-counter refrigerators are great for showing off items but save on countertop space.
With all of these possibilities in mind, shop Arnold's Appliance for your commercial refrigerator needs! We’re the Bellevue appliance store that can help you finish your project in style and without breaking the bank.
Why Trust Arnold’s Appliance?
Arnold’s Appliance started in the summer of 1956 when it opened its doors as Lakeshore Appliance in Redmond, Washington. John Arnold and his family have since grown the store from just a few brands to the large appliance store it is today and moved to Bellevue in 1999 in search of a larger building. Arnold’s Appliance now offers high-end innovative products from over 45 manufacturers.
In addition to extensive product knowledge, Arnold’s has been providing fine appliances to Northwest builders, remodelers, designers, architects and developers for over 47 years. Arnold's currently supplies products and installation to many of the finest custom and spec home builders in the Pacific Northwest. Along with single-family housing, Arnold's has also supplied products for some of the largest multi unit projects in the area. Arnold’s Now the third generation of the Arnold’s Family is dedicated to bring the best quality products, delivery services, and installation to customers for years to come.
Shop Commercial Refrigerators at Arnold’s Appliance
Stop by Arnold’s Appliance Bellevue, WA location to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop refrigerators online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you find the best commercial refrigerator for your needs — whether you call us at 425-454-7929, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
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