4 Types of Restaurant Refrigeration Appliances

If you plan to open a restaurant, take your time to choose the right refrigeration appliances. The right appliances are suitable for the job, energy-efficient, and durable. Using such appliances is the best way to offer your customers healthy and safe meals at reasonable costs. Below are some of the types of restaurant refrigeration appliances you may need.

1. Walk-in Coolers

As the name suggests, walk-in coolers are big enough to walk inside. The coolers are suitable for holding large boxes of items. For example, you can use walk-in coolers to store:

• Blocks of cheese
• Boxes of perishable produce
• Buckets of fresh produce

Walk-in coolers come in different sizes. Measure the available space in your restaurant and choose a cooler that will fit the space. Remember to leave some allowance at the sides and, ideally, at the top too.

Apart from the available space, you should also consider:

• How much perishables, such as fresh produce, you plan to deal in
• How often you plan to get your deliveries
• How varied the products you plan to store are — for example, seafood and vegetables should be separate to avoid cross-contamination

Once you know your ideal size, get an energy-efficient model since the cooler will probably run all the time.

2. Worktop Refrigerators

Worktop refrigerators offer dual functionality. The appliance features a worktable with a refrigerator under it. As you would expect, worktop refrigerators come in different sizes. In some models, the worktop is larger than the refrigerator under it. Therefore, don't base your refrigeration sizing on the size of the worktop.

All cooling facilities need adequate airflow. Worktop refrigerators have vents on either the sides or front, which you should never obstruct. Determine how you plan to set up your worktop refrigerator and buy a model that you can use without vent blockage.

Worktop refrigerators can have drawers, doors, or both. Some people find that drawers are best for holding small items. Get a model with both doors and drawers for mixed usage.

3. Reach-in Coolers

A reach-in cooler is low to the ground. These coolers come with multiple doors that you must reach in to find an item — hence the name. Most restaurants use their reach in coolers in the:

• Kitchen
• Bar area
• Wait area

The ideal location depends on the nature of the items you wish to keep in the cooler. Below are some factors to consider when shopping for reach-in coolers:

• The number of sections
• Type of door (mostly solid or glass)
• Energy efficiency

Some models have roll-in refrigeration units that allow you to roll equipment, such as pan racks, into the refrigerator. Others have a door on each side of the refrigeration unit that allows you to pass food from one side to another. The pass-through unit is useful for staff that needs to pass items effortlessly to each other.

4. Bar Refrigerators

You will also need bar refrigerators if you plan to sell alcohol or cold beverages. Below are some tips to help you choose these refrigerators:

• Ensure the freezer section can hold sizable ice trays
• Choose strong doors since you will be opening and closing the doors a lot
• Get multiple types of bar refrigerators for different functions, such as beer dispensers and bottle coolers

Some refrigerators come with glass doors, while others have solid doors. The glass doors are ideal if you want to display your drinks.



Once you have the right appliances, service them regularly to avoid breakdowns and prolong the appliances' lifespan. Hawkins Commercial Appliance services commercial appliances, and we also sell parts. Contact us for regular service to ensure you don't suffer any business interruptions due to equipment issues.