What are the differences between commercial and domestic refrigerators?

All refrigerators have the same basic functions, to keep food and ingredients cold.

They use the same principles to aim to achieve this.

However, despite the similarity of their outcomes, there are clear differences between commercial and domestic refrigeration.

While it may be tempting to try and use domestic refrigeration in a commercial setting, it’s extremely unwise, as a domestic refrigerator is simply not designed to be used in the way that a commercial refrigerator is. This article will examine the differences between the two types, and show why it’s important to choose a commercial refrigerator for your business setting.

Access and capacity

One of the key differences between commercial and domestic refrigerators is how many times a day they are accessed. A domestic refrigerator is designed to keep food cold with a door that’s opened a few times a day, whereas a commercial refrigerator is designed to withstand constant opening and closing of its door, without loss of temperature. The other key point to consider is that your domestic refrigerator is designed to hold food to feed your family for a week, whereas your commercial refrigerator could be feeding hundreds of people a day. Commercial refrigerators are generally larger than domestic refrigerators.

Temperature and efficiency

All refrigerators are designed to keep food at a certain temperature. The regulations for commercial refrigeration state: “Fridges and chilled display equipment should be set at 8°C or below as a legal requirement. A freezer should be -18°C.” It’s also worth noting that certain foods, such as meat or fish, need to be kept at different ambient temperatures and that commercial refrigeration has the ability to be precisely controlled. The energy efficiency of commercial refrigerators is rigorously tested to ensure that it meets certain standards. While domestic refrigeration is also tested, it’s not tested to the same high standards.

Materials and design

Commercial refrigerators are built with high-grade materials that are designed to withstand heavy use in a commercial setting. Domestic fridges are often built more cheaply, and won’t last as long as a well-engineered commercial refrigerator. Domestic refrigerators are designed to fit in the average house and are built to fairly standard measurements. Commercial refrigerators come in a vast range of different styles and designs to be used in a variety of settings and applications. From deli counters to bottle refrigerators, the choice and range in the commercial market is extensive.

Commercial vs domestic

Remember that you will invalidate the warranty if you use a domestic fridge in a commercial setting, as they’re not designed to withstand the constant use that a commercial refrigerator is subjected to. While it may be tempting to choose a domestic refrigerator for your business, to save on money, it’s not advisable, as they’re not suitable for the job. The higher price tag on a commercial unit will give you a refrigerator that’s built to withstand heavy business use, maintain a precise temperature and last for many years. It’s important to remember that commercial refrigerators do require regular maintenance to help keep them in good working order. The more advanced engineering used in the commercial models will give you a more energy-efficient end result than would be achieved by using a domestic model in the same way.

Choose your next commercial refrigerator from Fridgesmart

Fridgesmart has an impressive range of different styles and designs of commercial refrigerators. From cake fridges to multidecks we’ll have the ideal refrigerator for your business. Not only does our range encompass all manner of different styles, but within each style we have different price points so that we can cater to all budgets. We appreciate that price is an important factor when choosing the ideal commercial refrigerator for your business, but we make sure that even our more price-conscious models are still well-engineered and designed to last. If you’re looking to upgrade your current units or need an emergency replacement, we’re here to help. We know how important choosing the right refrigeration for your business is, and our experienced and knowledgeable team is always on hand with advice and guidance. Call us today on 0115 941 3640 to see how we can help.