Many businesses rely on walk-in coolers for their daily operations. Most often, we associate these large refrigeration units with restaurants, but many other industries use them as well. For example, businesses from grocery and convenience stores to medical laboratories rely on walk-ins to keep a variety of items cool.
Maybe you are in the market for a walk-in cooler, but don’t know where to start in your purchasing journey. The first thing you should do is some research on commercial walk-in coolers, in advance of shopping around and definitely before buying a unit.
Here are a few things you should consider before placing an order for a new walk in cooler in Delaware:
- Planning: Because of their large stature, you should first make sure you have adequate space for the walk-in unit. If you are replacing an older, broken unit, make sure that the replacement fits in the same space and has a similarly positioned door. If your new unit fits in the space but has a door along another side, it could create traffic flow issues through the space.
- What you need to store: Like with any refrigerator, it is important to get a walk-in that not only accommodates the size of the products you are storing, but also one that can cool those products to the necessary temperature to keep them fresh. Some units may not have a cold enough holding temperature for your purposes, so be sure to clarify your specific needs with your dealer.
- Indoor vs. outdoor: Whether you put your walk-in cooler indoors or outdoors can make all the difference in the world when it comes to the performance of your unit. Sizing the unit appropriately will help determine whether or not it can handle the environment it is put in. For example, a unit that is put outside in the Arizona sun will need to be sized differently than a unit installed in Alaska. Ignoring this step can result in poor overall performance and lost profit when the products you are storing either freeze or spoil.
- Flooring needs: Unless you have an insulated concrete floor, there is a good chance your installation professional will recommend installing an insulated floor. Without it, your food or products may be at risk of spoiling when the cool air inside the walk-in is lost through the un-insulated floor.
- Ensure it has the necessary clearance: Because the temperatures inside your walk-in will vary greatly from the temperatures outside it, you will want to plan for at least a few inches of space around the unit. Condensation can build up and moisten anything that comes into contact with the side of the walk-in unit. This can lead to mold growth and water damage.
Choosing a commercial walk in cooler in Delaware is not always as simple as it seems. There are several factors that go into your purchasing decision, so don’t rush anything. The team at Commercial Equipment Service is made up of knowledgeable experts in commercial refrigeration equipment—call us today to arrange a consultation!