The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Reach-In Freezer or Refrigerator for Your Commercial Kitchen

Maintaining quality in all that you do in your commercial kitchen is essential. A masterful chef knows that perfecting dishes and tantalizing offerings requires time to ensure your customers receive the best. Many of those components start with a commercial refrigeration unit to preserve ingredients and dishes. Cold storage is essential to keeping your food fresh and safe and maintaining its quality. You might use a reach-in refrigerator or reach-in freezer to achieve this or a combination of both.

With so many available options, selecting the best one for your commercial kitchen can be a challenge. You’ll need to consider various factors, like cold storage capacity, door gaskets, energy efficiency, maintenance and care, and warranties. In this post, we’ll explore all these details so you can make an informed decision when shopping for your next reach-in refrigerator or freezer.

Types of Reach-In Freezers and Refrigerators

The first step in choosing a reach-in freezer or refrigerator is understanding the available types. At Zanduco, we carry a range of high-quality brands known for their commitment to exceptional manufacturing. Temperature controls are likely one of the most important concerns when choosing which type, as some items are better chilled while others can be frozen.

Reach-In Refrigerators

These units are designed to maintain a temperature range between 32°F to 40°F, making them ideal for storing fresh produce, dairy products, and other perishable items. You can also store par-baked items for cold-keeping until they are ready to be used and place frozen items in a reach-in refrigerator to allow them to defrost safely. 

Our reach-in refrigerators are from brands such as Atosa, True Refrigeration, Ikon, Imbera, Aurora, and we even have our own house label Zanduco. We recommend considering the space available in your commercial kitchen and the capacity needed before choosing a unit. One, two, and three-door options are available, along with stainless steel or glass doors, for the convenience of viewing inside.

Reach-In Freezers

A reach-in freezer maintains a temperature range between -10°F to 0°F, making them ideal for storing frozen food items. Freezing is suitable for storing food for an extended period, compared to refrigerating it, because it doesn’t allow molecules to interact as readily with microorganisms that can cause spoilage. You can freeze almost anything your commercial kitchen uses and quickly defrost it to be as fresh as when you put it in. 

Brands like Atosa, True Refrigeration, Ikon, Centreline, Turbo Air, HABCO, Aurora, and Zanduco are all a part of our reach-in freezer options. For many, a freezer takes up slightly less space in their commercial kitchen because less food needs to be kept frozen than refrigerated. Regardless, there are similarly various door options like reach-in refrigerators. However, for insulation purposes, these appliances tend to have no glass doors, only stainless steel.

Combination Units

These units have both a refrigerator and freezer compartment, making them ideal for smaller kitchens where space is a concern. At Zanduco, we carry the True T-23DT-G-HC~FGD01 One Section Reach In Combination Refrigerator/Freezer for your specific commercial kitchen needs. It features a refrigeration system between 33°F to 38°F, a freezer with temperatures up to -10°F, and energy-efficient glass doors. These are double pane on the refrigerator side and triple pane for the freezer.

Cold Storage Capacity 

When choosing a reach-in freezer or refrigerator, it's essential to consider the amount of cold storage capacity you'll need. The capacity of a unit is typically measured in cubic feet, and choosing cold storage with enough space to keep your food items comfortably is essential.

A good benchmark is determining how much food you’ll need to store at a given time. You might consider using a set measurement, like the periodic automatic replacement (PAR) formula, to estimate how much of your inventory will need to be refrigerated or frozen. This considers the amount of inventory used each week added to the required safety stock, which is then divided by the number of deliveries you receive weekly. While this formula will give you a high-level perspective, you’ll also need to consider customer demand and food perishability.

Once you have a general idea of the cold storage capacity you’ll need, look at the cubic feet measurements, comparing higher amounts to larger capacities.

Door Gaskets

Another vital factor to consider when purchasing a reach-in refrigerator or freezer is the door gasket of the unit. The door gasket is the seal around the door that prevents warm air from entering and cold air from escaping. It's essential to choose a unit with a high-quality gasket that is easy to clean and maintain and can keep up with the demand of your commercial kitchen. 

Over time, a faulty door gasket can lead to increased energy costs and food spoilage, no matter the quality of your commercial refrigeration unit. This is possible since the material a door gasket is made of is often rubber, which compresses and expands depending on whether the door is open or closed. Consider the warranty of your commercial refrigeration unit, which we will discuss below, to determine if a door gasket is replaceable.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is crucial when choosing a commercial reach-in freezer or refrigerator. A unit that is energy efficient can significantly reduce your energy costs and help you save money in the long run. Look for cold storage options with an Energy Star rating, as they are certified to meet energy efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Maintenance and Care 

Proper maintenance and care are essential to ensure your reach-in freezer or refrigerator lasts for a long time. Regularly cleaning the interior, checking the door gaskets for damage, and defrosting the unit as needed are all essential steps to maintain its performance. 

It’s best to incorporate a cleaning schedule into your kitchen routine to ensure all requirements are met. This could look different on a weekly or monthly basis. You may consider taking everything out of your commercial refrigeration unit once a year to complete a deep clean and allow the appliance to continue operating at a high capacity.

Warranties

Finally, it's important to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A good warranty can provide peace of mind and protect your investment in case of any defects or malfunctions. Look for units that offer a warranty for at least one year, with the option to purchase extended coverage if necessary. 

When reviewing the warranty, consider common areas that might need attention, like the door gasket, and see if the manufacturer covers them. Finding these details before purchasing can mean the difference between full coverage and paying significantly out of pocket.

Choosing the best reach-in freezer or refrigerator for your commercial kitchen means deciding on the right brand and unit that best meets your needs and budget. At Zanduco, we offer a range of premium choices that will keep your food fresh and safe for your customers. Need some advice regarding commercial refrigeration? Reach out to us.