A walk-in cooler is a big investment. So it’s a good idea to put some time aside for assessing the needs of your business. Pre-fabricated units work for some people, but a custom walk-in is always the better option because it is built exactly to customer specifications. If you’re unsure about the benefits of a custom build, then keep reading. We have some “hacks” that will help you in the walk-in buying process.
5 Tips For Your Safety & Sanity
Sizing
When looking at size, always remember that dimensions are for the exterior only. Standard walk-in panels are 4 inches wide. Keep in mind that this will cut into your overall interior space.
One cubic foot of storage space has a food storage capacity of 28 pounds. If the weight of food product that will be stored is taken into consideration, you will be able to determine the size of the walk-in necessary.
Flooring
Aluminum floors are customary with walk-in coolers. However, diamond tread flooring is recommended because it is stronger and has a damage and slip resistant surface.
A dent caused by a dropped keg on aluminum flooring can be significant. Along with the possibility of substantial damage, eventually the dent would start to compromise the integrity of the floor.
Imagining that same keg dropped on diamond tread flooring would result in a very different outcome. In fact, it would absorb the impact and last much longer than it aluminum counterpart.
Lighting
When entering your walk-in cooler, you have to be able to see what you are doing. Lighting is important and is complimented well with a painted, white interior. The white paint will create a brighter and more visually accessible environment. But if white walls aren’t your thing, then painting just the ceiling will still increase visibility.
Dimensions
The doors on a pre-fab walk-in are not very wide. If you plan to store speed racks or carts of food in your walk-in cooler, then you’ll want to consider a wider door. This, along with a ramp if you have uneven floors, will allow you to transport food in and out of your cooler with greater ease.
A greater overall height dimension can prevent injuries. This is especially true for employees who are over 6 feet tall. Also, you will have more room to place the condenser coil and avoid having it interfere with shelving or sacrificing valuable space.
Obviously, the bigger your walk-in, the more product that you can store. If you have three commercial refrigerators in your kitchen, save the space and get a walk-in instead. This way, you can have all your cold storage product in one place, while freeing up space for necessary equipment in your kitchen.
Protection
If your walk-in cooler is going to be outside, then make sure that you protect it with a weather membrane and corner guards.
A weather membrane prevents rain or snow from leaking into the cooler during inclement weather. Although your walk-in will be sealed, a heavy storm could potentially cause minor leaks.
Corner guards protect the exterior of your walk-in from dents and dings that could compromise its structural integrity.
Getting the Most Out of Your Walk-In
When buying a walk-in cooler, you want to be sure that it will last a long time. By taking these “hacks” into consideration before your purchase, you’ll be able to better understand what is necessary to make the best decisions. For more information, take a look at our blog Walk-In Options: Why Custom is Cooler Than Pre-Fab.
The post Buying a Walk-In Cooler: Five Ways to Make Your Life Easier appeared first on FSW Season'd.