subject: The Lowdown On Freezers And Coolers [print this page] "All walk-in freezers differ from model to model. Compared with residential refrigerators walk-in freezers vary in volume of storage and cooling technology. These commercial refrigeration units give much bigger storage space for the provision of food.
One that has a combination box, where there are freezer compartments as well as cooler compartments is considered a good model. The freezer is designed with its own door so that the warm air does not flow in from the cooking area. Cameras are available to monitor the interior spaces.
Think about these things to help you decide, think of what you intend to store in your refrigeration unit, visualize the number of shelves you need to store all your products, and imagine the area that you require for such storage. If your restaurant is not really big and you are particular with fresh meat and produce, then maybe you dont really need a walk-in freezer. All you need is a chest freezer to store frozen desserts such as ice cream.
The floor should be insulated with four inches of insulation material. The old standard set by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for walk-in freezer floors was galvanized iron but it was replaced by steel, which is tougher but more expensive. As opposed to steel floors, one reason for the upgrade was that galvanized floors are prone to rusts and dents, which is not sanitary for the storage of food products. The traffic of carts and shelves can cause the galvanized floor to bend out of shape over time. Steel is better since it is resistant to rust and has a higher tensile strength than galvanized iron.
Some walk-in coolers are fitted with their own floor assembly. But the drawback is they just offer 3 inches of ground slab. Thats sad because the floors take up from 20 to 25% of the total cost. Yet it can save more energy because it takes lesser power to raise the temperature. Sooner or later, walk-in coolers with floors are more efficient energy savers.
Installing beforehand rigid foam building insulation on the walls and floors then thick quarry tiles are layered above the insulation will be another option. Finish it with safety seamless vinyl flooring materials. Otherwise you can use waterproof boards for finishing.
Though the choice of flooring for the walk-in coolers may become expensive but it would afford safety and prevent food spillage if the obstacle of steep and slippery ramps is eliminated.
