Walk-in coolers and freezers

Refrigeration enables restaurant owners to keep food items safe from the growth of fungus and bacteria. As per the directions of the United States Department of Agriculture, business owners are required to store refrigerated food at or below 40°F and frozen food at 0°F. That is exactly where the role of walk-in coolers and freezers comes into play. If you run a commercial kitchen, restaurant, cafeteria or food facility, you need to maintain a specific temperature for the storage of frozen or pre-cooked food items for safe human consumption as well as stay compliant with safety codes as outlined by the local regulatory bodies. For guidance on how walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are designed and installed in commercial food establishments, what features they come with and how to maintain them properly, keep on reading.

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Introduction

Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are cold room chambers where refrigerated or frozen food is safely stored. Food items such as meat, fruit, vegetables, and frozen items need to be kept at specific temperatures. Compared to standard refrigerators, walk-in coolers and freezers provide food storage for the long term. Restaurant owners are required to store these food items at low temperatures so that the latter don’t perish by the growth of bacteria and fungus. A commercial walk-in cooler or cold room operates at temperatures between 0°c and 5°c whereas a walk-in freezer is used for storage below the freezing point. A walk-in freezer is designed to operate at sub-zero temperatures and as low as -40°c so that it freezes the food items kept inside.

walk-in coolers Features and Facilities

The walk-in storage spaces are large enough to provide proper storage for all the non-perishable items in a food facility or kitchen. The size of a walk-in cooler can be the size of a room or much larger than that. Usually, these refrigerated storage spaces have an area of less than 3,000 sq, ft. Broadly speaking, walk-ins fall in three categories: self-contained, remote condensing, and multiplex condensing. Each of these walk-ins is designed with unique features and functionalities to match the specific needs of a large restaurant or commercial kitchen. If it is a self-contained walk-in, it will have both the evaporator and the condenser built in one unit. This type of walk-in cooler or freezer is set up outside the building where the food facility is located. In a remote condensing walk-in, the evaporator and the condenser are set up separately. Multiplex walk-ins are built right in the building in which the food facility is located.

Walk-in coolers design

The design of all walk-ins is not the same. They vary as per the specific type of the walk-in you are going to install. However, the basic design principles that these systems follow remain the same. For maximum operational efficiency, the walls of walk-in coolers and freezers have proper insulation. Not just the walls, but the ceilings and the floors of the entire unit are all insulated. The insulation is created by placing a layer of foam between two layers of steel or aluminum. The main purpose of the insulation is to separate the outside temperature from the inside temperature. Most of all, the insulation reduces strain on the evaporator and the condenser. Since the refrigerated storage space will be used to keep a large number of food items, its floors need proper reinforcements. Professionals design the entire space keeping in mind the daily needs of the facility. Frequent entry into and exit from the walk-ins affect the inside temperature. This, as a result, increases energy consumption. That is why curtains are installed at the entrance of the walk-in. To minimize the rise and fall in the temperature, two types of curtains are used namely strip and air. Each of these curtains has a unique design, but both of them serve the same purpose, which is to reduce the fluctuations in the temperature.

Walk-in cooler and freezer installation

Before the installation of a walk-in cooler or a walk-in freezer can begin, the details of the project have to be planned in an accurate manner. Though there are multiple reasons behind the failure of a new installation, one key reason is poor planning or improper preparation. At Hood Builder, we have a highly competent team of experts who carry several years of experience in the installation of walk-ins. We have a solid, proven track record as a commercial refrigeration installer all across Denver, Colorado. While we offer a lot of flexibility in terms of schedules, we focus on the exact needs of a food facility in terms of appropriate design, selection of refrigeration tech and carrying out the entire project in a hassle-free and timely manner. Before getting started with the procedure, we make sure that the location of the installation is fully prepared for the same. From installing the base channels, assembling the walls, adding the ceiling panels, and placing the doors to installing the evaporator and the condenser as well as meeting all the electrical requirements, we pay serious attention to each crucial step of the procedure. For detailed information in this regard, feel free to reach out to one of our specialists at Hood Builder.

Walk-in cooler and freezer replacement

When issues arise with the performance of your walk-in cooler or freezer, you should never ignore them. Instead, you should seek professional help to get to the root cause of the problem as quickly as possible. If your walk-in is too old or one or more of its components have malfunctioned, you may need to replace the worn out parts. However, it is for the technicians to determine the actual problem and then suggest the most ideal solution. Replacement of some parts may be required if you are having temperature level issues or seeing high amounts of energy consumption. In many cases, replacing the compressor of the walk-in restores the entire unit to its brand new condition. At Hood Builder, we have highly trained technicians who can inspect your walk-in and replace the worn out components in an accurate and swift manner, so as to bring back the operation efficiency.

Repair and Maintenance

Timely repair and maintenance will prolong the life of your walk-in cooler or freezer and save you money in the long term. When operating a commercial cooling or freezing system, it is crucial to give it proper and timely maintenance. You may have some minor issues with the unit from time to time. What is important is that you pay quick attention and get the necessary repairs done fast by professionals. We provide professional repair and maintenance for all types of walk-ins, coolers, and walk-in freezers used by restaurants, kitchens, dining facilities, cafeterias, etc.

Talk to a Walk-in Installation Specialist

Whether you plan to install a new walk-in or want replacement or repair of your existing refrigeration system, you should head straight to Hood Builder in Denver, Colorado, for professional help. We are a commercial walk-in installer you can rely on to meet the specific requirements of your food facility. You can talk to us via a phone call or send us an email for your free consultation.