As the food and beverage industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds, it's no wonder that the market for commercial refrigeration equipment has become a billion dollar industry. Restaurants and other food service providers invest heavily in buying the accessories they need to properly store food and that usually means buying equipment for proper cold storage.

Small business providers of commercial refrigerator parts traditionally specialize in certain kinds of parts, such as gaskets, coils or thermostats while larger companies manufacture or distribute every accessory commercial coolers depend on. For wide selection and speedy installation, purchase supplies for refrigeration equipment online with reputable manufacturers and installers:

1. Get new and replacement commercial refrigerator gaskets from manufacturers or installers.

2. Purchase agency-approved thermostats for commercial refrigeration equipment.

3. Consider buying tube heat exchanger coils for commercial refrigeration systems.

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Buy gaskets for commercial refrigerators from manufacturers or installers

Some manufacturers of commercial refrigeration equipment do install their gaskets for little or no extra charge. However, if you need a replacement gasket, your best bet is to contact a company that specializes in installation only.

I recommend: Family owned and operated for more than 20 years, Pennsylvania-based Harrison Supply serves the food and beverage industry by providing high quality gaskets for industrial coolers. Find a Gasket Guy near you for speedy installation of commercial refrigeration gaskets. Read the customer testimonials on Gasket Guy's website that speak to this company's excellent customer service. Tom Moore Restaurant Equipment and Parts operates out of North Carolina and ships its many different gasket styles and types nationwide.

Find thermostats for commercial coolers that conform to global standards

Fixed temperature thermostats for commercial refrigeration equipment ensure no-fail temperature controls.

I recommend: Sensata Technologies, in business since 1916, is the world's leading supplier of sensors and commercial refrigeration thermostats. Access the HVAC Plus and Online Restaurant Equipment Parts Supplier websites to learn more about cost-efficient thermostats manufactured by the Ranco Company.

Purchase coils for commercial freezers and refrigerators

Some coil manufacturers have developed tube heat exchangers with fins that you can use with food processing equipment or for cold storage.

I recommend: Aero, one of the largest coil manufacturers in America since 1979, manufactures coils for cold storage equipment, such as freezer tunnels and blast freezers. Metal Works, since 1956, has manufactured coils used in both heating and cooling commercial systems.

Tips & Tactics for Smart Use of Commercial Refrigerators

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many food service professionals find it more desirable to deal with a manufacturer of commercial refrigerator equipment that maintains a large in stock inventory of both new and used parts.
• •  Just as some commercial refrigeration systems are more cost-effective than others, so are the parts these systems depend on. Before making any purchases, ask a manufacturer's or supplier's customer representatives for help in choosing the most energy and cost-efficient refrigeration supplies.

Commercial refrigeration isn’t limited to one freezer and refrigerator. Restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses that sell perishable items must invest in commercial refrigeration equipment for each step of the product’s shelf life. From the moment products are delivered, it’s a race against time to keep them cold enough to be safe and consumable. Refrigeration equipment solutions include:

1. Walk-in coolers and commercial freezers for long-term storage.
2. Chillers and restaurant grade refrigerators for short-term storage.
3. Countertop and work station refrigeration equipment to keep food at a proper temperature between prep stations.
4. Commercial refrigeration display cases when food is ready to be served.

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Walk In coolers

Walk in coolers allow restaurants and florists to keep large amounts of food, flowers and other perishables cold.

I recommend: Barr Inc Refrigeration Superstore offers a wide variety of new and used walk in coolers and other large-scale commercial refrigeration equipment. For a directory of suppliers for walk in coolers, visit Business.com.

Restaurant grade refrigerators and commercial freezers

While most restaurants have walk in coolers to store food products, almost every kitchen also has stand-alone refrigeration equipment for short-term storage and preparation. Stand-alone commercial freezers and refrigerators allow kitchen staff to keep products conveniently close for the day's needs. Prep areas also benefit from countertop refrigeration equipment.

I recommend: Mission Restaurant Supply has a variety of commercial restaurant grade refrigerators for kitchen use including worktop refrigerators, dual-temp, prep table refrigerators, milk coolers and combination refrigerator/freezers. Atlanta Fixture & Sales also offers a large supply of stand-alone kitchen refrigerators and commercial freezers.

Chillers

Chillers provide blast chilling, also called shock freezing, which allows food's core temperature to be lowered from 160 degrees Fahrenheit to 38 degrees in just 90 minutes rather than the hours it takes in a standard freezer. Chillers let food keep its texture, flavor and color better than traditional freezing and keep bacteria growth at a minimum.

I recommend: HurriChill and Bally Northwind offer blast chilling and shock freezing commercial refrigeration equipment that help restaurants keep in compliance with food safety laws.

Commercial refrigeration food display cases

After food has been cooked or prepared, it needs commercial refrigeration to keep it fresh until consumed. Bakery and deli cases provide a temperature-controlled space that allows food products to be displayed to consumers.

I recommend: ACityDiscount Restaurant Equipment offers a variety of commercial refrigeration equipment, including food display cases for bakery and deli applications. BigTray offers a choice between curved glass and slanted glass refrigerated food display cases.

Refrigeration equipment for beverage displays

Food is not the only product that requires commercial refrigeration equipment. Convenience stores and restaurants depend on see-through refrigeration equipment to display products to consumers such as refrigerated bottled drinks and convenience foods.

I recommend: Bush Refrigeration has a large selection of refrigerated beverage cases including self-contained display coolers, long door display coolers, counter merchandisers and display walk-in coolers. All Refrigeration Equipment customizes refrigeration equipment for your needs and space.

Wine commercial refrigeration equipment

Many people think red wine shouldn't be refrigerated, but it actually should be served at a temperature in the low 60s. Refrigeration equipment is required to store and serve wine at the proper temperature.

I recommend: A-Best Fixture Company carries various sizes of commercial refrigeration equipment designed specifically for wine. Wine Enthusiast builds custom split refrigeration cellars in restaurants.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When planning your commercial refrigeration equipment needs, consider which workstations will require food to be kept out for extended periods of time. For instance, a salad station or sushi workstation needs to have countertop-level commercial refrigeration solutions to keep food at proper temperatures before and after prep.
• •  Make sure everyone in your kitchen understands food safety. Most county governments have guidelines and requirements for commercial refrigeration and offer free training and certification for food safety.
• •  Blast chillers are a chef's best friend. They outperform traditional commercial freezers when it comes to preserving the texture, aroma, flavor and color of foods.

Commercial refrigeration equipment typically includes walk in and reach in refrigerators, display refrigeration, chest freezers and bar refrigeration. Cold storage remains an essential part of almost every kind of food establishment. Before deciding on which kind of commercial refrigeration apparatus you need, it's important that you accurately estimate your storage requirements and space limitations.

Pricing and costs of refrigeration equipment vary according to the kind and size of the apparatus. Most commercial refrigerators and freezers consist of heavy-duty materials that ensure your foods will be stored at proper temperatures. However, there is nothing cheap about this equipment. Contact manufacturers directly for the most accurate price quotes:

1. Select either undercounter or back bar refrigeration equipment for your retail food establishment.

2. Get price quotes on standard walk in freezers and industrial coolers.

3. Choose the right display case commercial refrigerator to suit your retail operation.

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Find commercial refrigeration equipment for hotels, bars and taverns

Both undercounter refrigerators and back bar coolers come in many different sizes and styles. Those with glass doors are less expensive than those with an all stainless steel exterior.

I recommend: Galasource and Burkett Restaurant Equipment & Supplies carry a wide variety of undercounter refrigerators for bars. These come with glass doors and choice of white, black or stainless steel finishes. Sizes range from 5 to 6 cubic feet for smaller models. Larger models are between 48 and 90 inches wide. Prices range from $570 to $3500. Back bar coolers are considerably more expensive. Choose between glass door front models or those with all over stainless steel exteriors. They range in size from 48 to 72 inches and can store between 80 and 150 cans and bottles. Prices range from $1700 to slightly more than $3000.

Invest in top of the line walk in coolers and commercial freezers

Walk in coolers and freezers are the most popular forms of commercial refrigeration equipment. Even small retail food establishments depend on these coolers for safe cold storage of foods and beverages.

I recommend: Kolpak offers a full line of commercial walk in coolers and freezers. The most popular models are the stand-alone boxes with hinged doors and all around urethane insulation. Prices range from $7,000 to $23,000 and depend upon specific dimensions, whether you want embossed galvanized steel and the desired panel finishes. Contact Walk-In Cooler Central Market for price quotes on its more than 100 different sizes and styles of walk in freezers.

Locate display case commercial refrigerators for any retail food business

Display case merchandise includes displays for produce, meat, dairy and frozen foods. They are for use in specialty food shops, butcher shops, delis, convenience stores and large supermarkets.

I recommend: Tyler Refrigeration operates out of Michigan and for more than 75 years has been a leader among providers of refrigeration equipment to the food service industry. Ohio-based AAA Commercial Products carries 16 different styles of display refrigerator cases. Prices for Tyler Refrigeration and AAA Commercial range from $2500 to $5500, depending upon size and style.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If ordering walk in commercial coolers or freezers, make sure they come with complete floor plans and directions for assembly.

Refrigeration equipment refers not just to refrigerators but to air conditioning as well, both at home and in motor vehicles. You are likely to encounter at least two or three types of refrigeration equipment in the course of your daily life, so it makes sense to have a basic understanding of vocabulary associated with this equipment. Keep in mind that refrigerant systems are often required to work in tandem or side-by-side with heating systems to provide the best climate control. As such, they share some of the same parts and vocabulary.

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Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refers to chemicals made up of only chlorine, fluorine and carbon molecules. CFCs used to be a common refrigerant until they were phased out as part of the Clean Air Act.

I recommend: The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines chlorofluorocarbons and offers links to further information regarding their impact on climate change and the ozone layer.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are often lumped in with refrigeration systems because they share so much technology in common. You will often see the term as Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and refrigeration.

I recommend: WiseGEEK offers a straightforward explanation of HVAC systems.

Compressor

The compressor is the first element in a refrigeration system. It compresses the refrigerant to a higher pressure before it moves through the rest of the system.

I recommend: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a report detailing the types of compressors you're likely to encounter in refrigeration.

Condenser

The condenser takes the high pressure, high temperature gas from the compressor and condenses it into a warm liquid form, which is then moved through the refrigeration system.

I recommend: GlobalSpec explains condensers and their component parts.

Evaporator

The final part of a refrigeration or cooling system, the evaporator allows the compressed liquid to transform into a cool gas, which absorbs heat from the surrounding air. This provides the cooling effect before the gas is passed back into the compressor.

I recommend: ACU Air Heating and Air Conditioning explains the evaporator's function in a refrigerant system.

Absorption system

Absorption systems or gas refrigerators, also known as ammonia refrigeration units, are an increasingly common refrigeration system that functions primarily on ammonia and salt.

I recommend: HowStuffWorks explains how a gas refrigeration or absorption system works, along with its component parts.