Walk-in freezer and cooler are both used to store items. For business operators who sell fresh fruits and vegetables, choosing the right storage method can greatly reduce business operating costs and extend business operations. This guide will explain the differences between walk-in freezer and cooler, the scenarios they are suitable for, and the advantages of using them. Help you make an informed choice.
What Is A Walk-In Cooler?
A walk-in cooler is a low-temperature storage room suitable for restaurants, grocery stores, and fruit and vegetable sales industries. It can extend the storage time of perishable items without freezing them to affect their quality.
The temperature of a walk-in cooler is usually between (1.6 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius). This temperature can protect fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and some medicines.
Restaurants, grocery stores, florists, and other commercial establishments rely on walk-in coolers because these facilities need to quickly obtain refrigerated products without worrying about the delays caused by thawing frozen foods. Walk-in coolers keep items refrigerated but not frozen, ensuring that ingredients remain fresh, ready for immediate use, and maintain the best customer quality.
What Is A Walk-In Freezer?
A walk-in freezer is a cold storage that can store items for a long time. Its temperature is usually below minus 12 degrees Celsius, and the operating temperature of an ultra-freezing freezer can even reach minus 40 degrees Celsius. Compared with a walk-in cold storage room, it can store items for a longer time and can store a large amount of food for a long time.
Walk-in freezer can maintain the quality of food for a long time and ensure that the ingredients are fresh and available. It is very suitable for fresh food companies and the food and catering industry, improves the operating efficiency of the company, and is conducive to the long-term investment and development of the company.
The Difference Between A Walk-In Cold Storage Room And A Walk-In Freezer
1.Temperature Range
The temperature of a walk-in cold storage room is usually controlled between 1.6 degrees Celsius and 5 degrees Celsius. This temperature is suitable for short-term preservation of dairy products, vegetables, and fruits. It can inhibit bacterial growth and delay food spoilage, but it will not completely freeze the food.
The operating temperature of a walk-in freezer is usually below minus 12 degrees Celsius. This temperature can completely freeze food and preserve it for a long time. It is suitable for storing seafood, raw meat and other perishable foods.
2.Structure And Design
- Insulation board thickness: The insulation board of the walk-in refrigerator is thinner, usually only 2 to 4 inches (50mm-100mm) is sufficient for daily use, and in order to ensure the freezing effect, the insulation board of the walk-in refrigerator is usually thicker, between 4 and 6 inches (100mm-200mm)
- Refrigeration system: The walk-in cooler compressor power is low, the refrigeration time is short, and the energy consumption is low. The compressor power of the walk-in freezer needs to be larger because it needs to maintain ultra-low temperatures, and the energy consumption will be very high.
- Cold storage floor: Walk-in freezers are usually equipped with low-temperature resistant floors and heating systems to prevent the ground from freezing, while refrigerators may not need insulated floors, depending on their placement and purpose
- Door system: Most walk-in cooler door use ordinary sealed doors, while walk-in freezer door are usually equipped with more stringent sealing strips and heating systems to prevent ice accumulation and prevent the door from being opened while preventing cold air from leaking out.
3.Scope Of Application And Storage Time
The walk-in refrigerators are suitable for short-term storage, such as daily ingredients in restaurants or fresh dairy products in supermarkets. Regular inspections and cleaning of spoiled goods are required to avoid cross-contamination.
Walk-in freezers are suitable for long-term storage, and ultra-low temperature storage can even be used for several years. They are suitable for raw material warehouses and cold chain centers in food processing plants, but they need to be used reasonably to avoid repeated thawing that affects the freezing quality.
4.Energy Consumption
Walk-in freezers have thicker insulation layers and higher-power refrigeration systems, and their manufacturing costs are about 50% higher than walk-in refrigerators. And the power consumed by the walk-in freezer to maintain ultra-low temperatures during subsequent operation will be 2-3 times that of the refrigerator.
The Core Difference Between Walk In Freezer And Cooler
|
Walk-in Cooler |
Walk-in Freezer |
|
|
Temperature Range |
1.6℃ ~ 5℃ |
-12℃ ~ -30℃ |
|
Main Application |
Vegetables/Fruits/Dairy Products |
Frozen Meat/Seafood/Ice Cream/Long-Term Frozen Storage |
|
Refrigeration System |
Low Power Compressor Refrigeration |
High Power Multi Compressor Refrigeration |
|
Insulation Board Thickness |
50MM-100MM |
100MM-200MM |
|
Evaporator Type |
Air Cooling (Avoid Dehydration) |
Direct Cooling/Strong Air Cooling (Quick Freezing) |
|
Energy Consumption |
Low |
 High |
|
Door Design |
Ordinary Sealed Door |
Heated Frost-proof Door |
How To Choose A Walk In Freezer And Cooler?
If your business requires short-term refrigeration of fresh products, then a walk-in refrigerator is a wise choice. If you need to store frozen food for a long time, a walk-in freezer is essential.
But before making your decision, please think:
- Your business type:
- Do you understand the daily operating costs after the purchase and need to understand the relative budget
- Choose indoor or outdoor installation according to your business needs
- Choose a reliable manufacturer, such as Pecold, because it can bring you a better service experience and better quality products.
FAQ
Can A Walk-In Refrigerator Be Converted Into A Walk-In Freezer?
It is not recommended to do so because you need to change the insulation board, compressor and evaporator, which is a very large project. Forced modification is prone to damage to the compressor, insufficient refrigeration and other problems.
How Often Does A Walk-In Freezer Need To Be Defrosted?
Most walk-in freezers have an automatic defrost function, which is usually defrosted every day. Prevent ice formation
How To Clean A Walk In Freezer Floor?
Use a special cleaning agent with a mop and bucket to clean the Walk In Freezer Floor. For larger freezers, you can use an automatic floor scrubber.
