As a food business it is vital that you keep your stock cold. The debate rages on between the walk in cold room and a reach in fridge. They both serve the same purpose but for very different environments. This article breaks down the differences between the two and helps you decide which is best for your business.

Walk In Cold Room Vs Reach In Fridge: The Basics

A reach in fridge is a large upright unit with one or more doors. The fridge is accessed by opening the door and reaching in to retrieve the required stock. It is the standard fridge found in most kitchens cafes and shops. A reach in fridge is freestanding and simply needs to be plugged in.

Walk In Cold Room Installation

A walk in cold room on the other hand is a full size room. It has a door and is fitted with panels to keep the space cold. It is constructed on site and can be a chiller or a freezer, with temperatures ranging from 2 – 8C or -18C and below. Each cold room is built to the client’s specifications and fits their floor space.

A good cold room installation/ will ensure that the room is suitable for the stock being stored and the floor space available

Stocks

The main difference between a reach in and a walk in cold room is storage space. A reach in fridge stores a limited amount of stock. A cold room has much more capacity meaning you can stock far more goods. The cold room can store large items with greater ease.If your business buys in bulk a walk in cold room can be the more cost effective option. Bulk buying means greater profit margins due your ability to negotiate cheaper prices with your suppliers. In addition buying in bulk means you have to restock less frequently.

Upfront Costs

A reach in fridge requires little investment. It simply needs to be bought and then installed. The fridge comes ready to use and simply needs to be plugged into the mains. This makes it the obvious choice for a new small business.

A walk in cold room costs more upfront as the room is constructed on site. The cost is dictated by the size and specification of the room. A smaller cold room will cost a few thousand whilst larger rooms will be more expensive. The price per item stored decreases with the size of the cold room.

Running Costs

Both the walk in cold room and the reach in fridge require a constant electricity supply. A reach in fridge is opened more frequently and lets in more warm air with every opening. This puts additional strain on the fridge. Many busy kitchens with reach in fridges find that they are constantly having to replace them.A walk in cold room is better insulated meaning it holds the cool temperature better. Doors are opened less frequently meaning there is less chance of warm air escaping. A well constructed cold room can be extremely cost effective for the amount stored. Poorly constructed cold rooms on the other hand can waste energy.The quality of panels and door seals plays a key role in energy efficiency. It is important to invest in a good quality cold room or fridge. A good commercial refrigeration company will be able to recommend the correct paneling.

Access and Service

A reach in fridge is great for storing small items. It can be accessed quickly and efficiently. It can be placed near the cooking area making it perfect for a busy kitchen environment.A walk in cold room is ideal for large stores of stock. It is a better option when a kitchen does not have the space for a reach in fridge. Many restaurants have both a walk in cold room and reach in fridges.

 Food Safety And Temperatures

Keeping food at a consistent temperature is the key to food safety. A walk in cold room has more even temperatures than a reach in fridge.A reach in fridge can have hot spots especially near the door. Frequent opening of the door means inconsistent temperatures. It is important to monitor reach in fridges to make sure temperatures are safe.

Floor Space

A reach in fridge requires relatively little space. A walk in cold room needs a bigger area in addition to the space for the condensing unit. It is best to have a professional survey your site to advise you.

Which Option Is Best For You?

• A walk in cold room vs reach in fridge is a decision based on your individual requirements. Take these guides into consideration.
• Use a reach in fridge if you have a small stock and a limited budget. Use a reach in fridge at your work stations to ensure you have easy access.
• Use a walk in cold room if you buy in bulk and have a bigger stock. A walk in room will also allow for business expansion in the future.
• Use both a reach in fridge and a cold room if you have a busy kitchen with stock rooms and work stations.
• A small catering business may find a couple of reach in fridges to be sufficient. A shop on the other hand will require a walk in cold room. It is important to assess your busiest time rather than your slowest time.

Maintaining Your System And Compliance

Both the walk in walk in cold room and the reach in fridge require regular maintenance. A gas certificated engineer should complete the service. This is required by law in the UK as a result of the F-Gas regulations .Regular maintenance prevents small issues from becoming expensive problems. A good commercial refrigeration/company will provide a maintenance package that is right for you. This will include routine servicing for reach in fridges, display fridges and cold rooms.

Choosing The Correct Company

A good cmpany will spend time understanding your requirements before they discuss cost. It is important to check that engineers are F-Gas certified . You should always ask if the company is approved by a trade association such as Refcom.

Why Choose ColdTec?

ColdTec Cooling Service has been installing and maintaining cold rooms and commercial fridge systems for 15 years. The team designs and installs bespoke cold rooms using high density PIR panels. Doors are fitted with airtight seals to maintain the internal temperature. Every cold room is individually specified to suit the client’s temperature requirements and floor space.

The company provides a full range of industrial refrigeration services https://cold-tec.co.uk/ throughout the country. Every member of staff is F-Gas certified  The company is also approved by Refcom and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification. Genuine manufacturer parts are used and a full written quote is always provided. The company has offices in Surbiton but provides a national service.

FAQs

Is a walk in cold room cheaper to run than a reach in fridge?

This depends on the amount of stock you need to store. The more stock you have the more cost effective a cold room can be. A walk in room can run more efficiently particularly if you have a large amount of stock. A reach in fridge has a lower running cost if you have a small amount of stock.

 Can I have both a walk in cold room and reach in fridges?

Many businesses use both a walk in cold room and a number of reach in fridges. Many restaurants use a cold room in conjunction with reach in fridges at each work station.

Conclusion

A reach in fridge provides fast access and has a low initial outlay. A walk in cold room has a far greater storage capacity and is more efficient. A walk in cold room holds far more stock and maintains a consistent temperature. Many businesses use a combination of both.

The best way to choose between a walk in cold room and reach in fridge is to discuss your requirements with a professional. They will determine what is the most cost effective way to stock and chill your goods. It is important to request a survey and a quotation. A correctly maintained system will protect your stock and in turn your profits for years to come.

 Contact

Name: ColdTec Cooling Service  

Phone: 020 3773 1250  +442037731250

Email: info@cold-tec.uk  mailto:info@cold-sec.uk

Address: Unit 7 177 Hook Road Surbiton KT6 5AR

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