What fridge do I need for my restaurant?

If you own or manage a busy restaurant, you’ll know how important good refrigeration is. Keeping your food and drink at the correct temperature will preserve its quality and shelf life. All restaurants are different and will need different types of refrigeration systems to provide a practical and usable set-up. Some restaurants have wine fridges which are customer-facing, and for these, the well-designed and stylish Tefcold wine fridge will be the perfect fit for your restaurant.

If your fridges are only seen by the kitchen team, then they can be chosen entirely for functionality rather than aesthetics. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the considerations around choosing the ideal fridge for your restaurant.

Consider your space

While you can’t change how much space is available in your kitchen, you can change how you use it. A well set-up kitchen makes all the difference to the efficiency of your kitchen team. If you’re considering upgrading your refrigeration, then it may be worthwhile to spend time studying the flow of your kitchen and see if you can redesign your kitchen to create a more efficient workflow. Consider that you can use multiple fridges in your kitchen so that some items can be nearby, while others may be stored in a less convenient place. If you’re keeping your kitchen with the existing layout and looking for a replacement fridge, modern units will give you more capacity than older-style fridges. While you may not be able to create more space, you may be able to use the space you have more effectively by upgrading your fridges.

Different types of fridges for different needs

There are many different types of fridges to consider when you’re planning your commercial refrigeration. One of the big decisions that’s definitely worth considering is whether you should have a fridge or a cold room. Cold rooms have many distinct advantages over traditional fridges, such as being able to organise your stock more effectively and making it easier for people to find the correct items. Multiple fridges can be expensive to run and can be hard to keep in order. Many people have storage fridges as well as prep station fridges, such as the Tefcold Gastro Line PT, which provides you with a preparation area complete with refrigeration. These can be invaluable and time-efficient.

Size matters

The size of your restaurant fridge is extremely important. Consider the size and frequency of your food deliveries. Consider the maximum quantity of food you could have. Bear in mind that fridges are most effective when they’re 75% full, as this allows the cold air to circulate without having to work too hard to keep the products cold. Good inventory management will help you maintain good stock levels. But having the right amount of storage for your stock is all important. Food must be stored correctly to maintain food quality and good health and safety standards. If you don’t have enough refrigerated storage space, then your food will be squashed in, causing damage and potential contamination. If you have too much fridge space, then your fridges will have to overwork to maintain temperature, which is expensive and inefficient. If you’re planning to expand your menu in the future or extend your opening hours, then it may be worth investing in the refrigeration that you will need, rather than the refrigeration that you currently use.

Need help choosing the best fridge for your restaurant? Come to Fridgesmart

Here at Fridgesmart, we understand fridges. We’ve helped many businesses choose the very best type of fridge for their operations. We can help you both with the bigger picture of how to design an efficient kitchen, as well as the smaller details, such as choosing the best door type for your refrigerator, or the best temperature monitoring system. We have an extensive range of fridges, for all types of businesses and budgets. Good refrigeration is essential to run a successful food business, and your refrigeration is an investment. Regular maintenance will help to keep your refrigeration in good condition and pick up any issues before they develop. So, whether you’re looking for an urgent replacement for a broken refrigeration unit, or are planning a future upgrade, our knowledge and team are here to help. Take a look at our range of restaurant fridges here or call us today on 0115 9413640.