To get the most use out of a walk-in freezer or refrigerator, you'll want to estimate your storage needs accurately before you buy a unit. Make sure you find a unit that cools to an adequate temperature for storing the products you intend to store. After you've narrowed your choices and purchased a commercial walk-in freezer or cooler, follow the proper food storage procedures and keep your unit up to code.

Almost all restaurant or food service businesses deal with using walk-in coolers for frozen or refrigerated foods on a regular basis. The cooler sometimes goes unnoticed, but it is the most important equipment you have. Without it, thousands of dollars in food could spoil virtually overnight. Make the most of your cooler by:

1. Finding a style of walk-in refrigerator that works for you.

2. Meeting all food storage regulations and policies.

3. Keeping your cooler or freezer working properly.

Action Steps For Walk In Coolers Smart Shopping
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find suppliers of walk-in coolers with the options you need

Don't settle for the first cooler you find. Shop around to find the proper cooling unit with the dimensions you need to store your food products. The worst decision you can make is a fast buy of a cooler that ends up being too small to house all your perishable items.

I recommend: Refrigerating all types of foods and beverages to the same temperature isn't practical since many have different suitable cooling temperatures. Choose a split refrigeration system from Kramer USA if you need to store different products like meats and produce so you can adjust temperatures in different sections of the cooler. Compare walk-in freezers and refrigeration units and their prices at My Simon, or get help choosing a unit type at Dragon Enterprise Company. They also have a suitable food refrigeration levels index.

Keep your commercial walk-in refrigerator or freezer up to standard

Make sure you are meeting all refrigeration standards for the types of food you are storing. Beverages, produces, meats and dairy all have different suitable storage temperatures.

I recommend: Find suitable storage temperatures and food safety information any virtually any food item using the Penn State Food Safety Database. Make sure your commercial walk-in coolers meet federal standards by checking the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection's regulations and policies online.

Get the service and maintenance you need for walk-in refrigerators and freezers

Whether you have purchased new units or used walk-in freezers or coolers, it's important to keep your equipment cooling properly. All coolers and freezers should have proper temperature controls and be checked regularly.

I recommend: Find a quality service company to perform routine maintenance, fix a broken cooler or replace parts through the Commercial Food Equipment Service Association. The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers also has a database of qualified technicians.

Tips & Tactics To Get The Most Out Of Your Walk In Cooler

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Commercial coolers can be expensive purchases for any sized business. Consider split systems if you can't afford both a freezer and refrigeration walk-in unit, or if you don't have the room to house one.

Walk in coolers are a must-have item for many types of businesses. Restaurants, cafes and floral shops all need commercial coolers to keep food or flowers fresh. Most large restaurants opt to have a walk in cooler and sometimes a walk in freezer to store perishable food items that have to be purchased in bulk, and then a smaller refrigerator for the kitchen for easy access. The key to buying a walk in cooler is to plan ahead before the construction of your kitchen is finished. Before you buy consider:

1. How much space you have available.
2. How much refrigerated or frozen storage space you need.
3. If you need to have special electricity or if you have drainage considerations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

The ABCs of walk in coolers

There are many different kinds of walk in coolers and walk in freezers. Available in dozens of standard sizes and custom sizes, commercial coolers come in a variety of materials, outside metal “skins”, insulation materials and refrigeration systems.

I recommend: Learn what to look for when buying commercial walk in freezers and walk in refrigerators at US Cooler’s online buying guide. Check out commercial refrigeration suppliers at Business.com.

Installing a walk in freezer or cooler

Some manufacturers have made the process of installing commercial walk in freezers so easy that you can do it yourself!

I recommend: RefrigeratorsFreezers&More offers Quik Step walk in coolers and freezers that assemble in five simple steps. Check out what you need to know about installing a walk in cooler or freezer at WalkInRefrigeration.com.

Buy used commercial coolers

By purchasing used walk in freezers at deeply discounted prices, you can cut down on your start-up costs of your new business.

I recommend: Barr Inc. Refrigeration Super Store offers a large selection of used walk in coolers and freezers to fit your budget. Find sources for new and used walk in freezers at Business.com.

Walk in cooler materials

Walk in coolers and freezers have traditionally been made of a stainless steel shell. But today’s materials include fiberglass-reinforced plastic that prevents sweating and denting, stucco embossed aluminum and stucco embossed galvanized steel.

I recommend: Kolpak makes walk in coolers and freezers with fiberglass reinforced plastic shells. National Cooler manufactures walk in coolers and freezers in numerous finishes.

Take your walk in freezer or cooler mobile

If your business often provides on-site catering, you may want to invest in a mobile walk in cooler. Mobile coolers are simply coolers that have a trailer tongue that enables you to pull them from location to location. Businesses that transport and deliver perishables, such as florists or seafood companies also rely on mobile coolers. And standalone restaurants can also benefit from mobile coolers during power outages.

I recommend: Go Mobile Coolers provide dual power sources from either a generator or shoreline connection. C & D Equipment makes custom built mobile walk in coolers and freezers.

Walk in cooler/freezer combos

Restaurants and supermarkets often need both walk in coolers and walk in freezers to keep products at two different temperatures. If you don’t have the space or budget for two different walk ins, think about purchasing a combo unit.

I recommend: Supermarket Services supplies several different sizes of walk in cooler and freezer combos.

Floral walk in coolers

Restaurants don’t have the market cornered on the need for commercial coolers. Florists need to have walk in coolers to keep flowers cool before they make their way into arrangements.

I recommend: Check out several types of walk in coolers including basic models and display models with glass on the front for display at WalkInCooler.com or at WalkInRefrigeration.com.

Outdoor walk in coolers

If you don’t have space for a large walk in cooler or freezer, another option is to purchase one that is made specifically for the outdoors.

I recommend: Polar King specializes in building outdoor walk in coolers and freezers that stand up to the elements. Central Restaurant Products makes small six by six foot outdoor walk in coolers that can be shipped in as little as 24 hours.

Rent or lease a walk in freezer or cooler

If you don’t need a permanent walk in cooler or freezer, or if it isn’t in your start-up budget to invest in one, think about renting for short-term needs or leasing for long-term usage.

I recommend: Polar King offers both short and long term rentals of mobile and standalone units. Ckitchen.com offers lease to purchase options for a variety of walk in coolers and freezers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some walk in coolers and freezers don’t come as a six-sided box, but instead come with four sides and a ceiling. These type of walk ins need to be placed on concrete or another type of floor that will not allow the refrigeration to escape.
• •  To save the most on your energy bills, consider the placement of your walk in cooler. Placing it in a cool spot of the building cuts down on how hard the refrigeration system will have to work. Outdoor coolers or freezers are usually best in cooler climates.
• •  Lower-priced walk in coolers may cost more in the long run due to higher energy expenses.

Restaurants or catering business are best known for their top chefs, wonderful cuisine and enhancing atmospheres. While these are all very important, one very important tool often goes unnoticed. Commercial coolers are actually the backbone to any food industry business. Great food can only come from a great cooling system, so it's important to stay informed and ahead of the rest when it comes to proper food storage.

Stay up to date on walk-in coolers news and trends so you won't be left out in the cold, or worse, warmth of a cooling unit that doesn't meet your expectations. From keeping the electrical system running properly to making sure your walk-in unit is sanitized and bacteria free, there are many concerns that need to be addressed on a daily basis. Keep up with cooler news, options and reviews by:

1. Getting expert advice when it comes to walk-in refrigerators and freezers

2. Finding maintenance advice and technician listings in leading industry publications.

3. Use buyers' guides with cooler reviews to make an informed purchase.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find expert opinions on walk-in coolers

While word of mouth and personal references can both be very beneficial, relying solely on them when purchasing equipment for your business can be a costly mistake. Get solid opinions from the leaders in refrigeration. Look for product reviews and information pertaining to equipment maintenance.

I recommend: The Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries offers many informative links including a monthly column troubleshooting refrigeration, heating and air conditioning issues. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers puts out several industry publications for both walk-in freezer and refrigerator consumers and those responsible for maintaining them.

Use industry publications to find the latest from walk-in cooler manufacturers

Whether you're buying a new cooler or looking at used walk-in freezers, reviewing your options and finding out others' opinions will ultimately help you make an informed purchase. Industry publications can also steer you in the right direction when it comes to replacing parts or finding a licensed technician.

I recommend: Get the latest emerging technology news at the Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, or follow the Refrigerated and Frozen Foods publication online for commercial walk-in refrigerator and freezer advice and tips.

Buy walk-in refrigerators with confidence

Get other commercial refrigeration users' opinions before purchasing a unit, or use industry publication buyers' guides to compare your options. After choosing a cooler, stay informed about recalls and updates by reading industry publications.

I recommend: Use Science Direct to find information pertaining to your walk-in cooler equipment, or use their direct link to purchase a copy of the Refrigeration Equipment book. Use the Food Logistics buyers' guide to find information on the latest commercial coolers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Publications that offer food preparation tips and restaurant information are often the first to print new refrigeration options from manufacturers, but they also are chalked full of ads for used walk-in cooler units at reasonable prices.

Because walk in coolers are critical equipment in keeping perishable items chilled or frozen, it’s important to learn about the basic features and accessories to obtain the right unit for your food establishment, store or flower business. By familiarizing yourself with terminology such as “controllers,” “swing doors,” and “metal skins,” you’ll be able to order the walk in cooler that suits the size of your business and the nature of the products that you need to refrigerate.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Swing doors

Swing doors for walk in coolers, as opposed to sliding doors, swing open. many swing doors come with corrosion resistance for durability and a view window as a measure of added safety and security.

I recommend: ABC Supermarket Supply offers swing doors for walk in coolers that are pre-hung on frames for quick installation.

Controllers

Controllers automatically temper the operation and energy use of the cooler's fans. Also called evaporator fan controllers, the controller senses the flow of refrigerant in the unit to reduce the fan speed when full airflow is not required.

I recommend: Discover the advantages and operational details of evaporator fan controllers through the Madison Gas and Electric website.

Combination walk in storage display

A combination walk in storage display features a storage unit on one side and display glass doors on the other, allowing customers to shop from your walk in coolers. These units can be custom built to suit the size of your business.

I recommend: Learn more about walk in coolers and freezers with display glass doors through Bush Refrigeration.

Outdoor walk in cooler

Outdoor walk in coolers are free standing coolers to be used outside. Typical units feature all-weather protection, energy efficient components and are ready for immediate power up.

I recommend: Get additional details on outdoor walk in coolers, including features and benefits, through Kolpak.

Metal skins

Metal skins provide a protective covering for walk in coolers, as well as add a decorative touch for the commercial kitchen or flower shop. Skins feature materials like aluminum, stainless steel or galvanized steel and have a different amount of dent resistance and rust prevention.

I recommend: Discover the advantages of different types of metal skins through the descriptions provided by Instawares.

Racking trolley

A racking trolley is a rolling unit allowing you to move ingredients in and out of the cooler easily to prevent spoiling and waste.

I recommend: Find racking trolley details and photos at Archi Expo.