Capacity Is Not The Only Criterion! How To Choose A Walk-In Coolers According To Business Needs?

“Why is it still not enough after purchasing a large-capacity walk-in coolers? Food spoilage, space waste, increased electricity bills and other problems affect the efficiency of business operations. The fundamental problem may be that the wrong needs are chosen”

Most companies only focus on capacity when purchasing walk-in coolers, but ignore key factors such as business type and storage category. As a result, the walk-in cooler cannot meet the actual business needs and the above problems occur, even affecting the normal operation of the enterprise.

So how to accurately choose the most suitable walk-in cooler according to business needs? This blog post will bring you the answer.

Walk-in coolers with clear business needs?

1. Differences in industry needs

Different industries have different requirements for walk-in coolers.

Medical industry: mainly used to store vaccines, medicines and biological samples
Requirements: It needs to have a precise temperature control system, the temperature needs to be between 2-8℃, while ensuring the quality of the medicine, it does not freeze and damage its original structure, and the temperature difference cannot exceed 0.5℃, and a stable temperature environment is required. It is suitable for the use of air-cooled walk-in coolers, which have uniform overall cooling and are more suitable for storage.
Key: Equip the walk-in cooler with separate wires and backup power supplies to prevent losses caused by power outages, and install an automatic alarm system to remind in time when the temperature is abnormal.

Supermarket cold chain: used to store raw and fresh food, semi-finished cooked food or other perishable items
Requirements: Long-term and stable storage is required, and the capacity of the walk-in cooler must be large enough to store in large quantities. And it is best to store them separately in walk-in coolers with different temperatures, which can reduce the impact on the overall items in the walk-in cooler when taking out a single food.
Key: The storage of vegetables cannot be air-cooled, which is easy to cause the loss of water in the vegetables. Pay attention to the energy consumption of the walk-in cooler, which needs to run 24 hours a day. Low energy consumption can save a lot of electricity bills.

Catering industry: used to store fresh food, cooked food, seasonings, etc.
Demand: Frequent access is required, and partitioned storage is required to avoid the taste of ingredients affecting the taste of the dishes. The temperature is suitable for 2℃ to 6℃.
Key: The walk-in cooler needs to be convenient, reduce the temperature loss of the cooler, and use corrosion-resistant materials to avoid corrosion due to oil pollution.

Five key indicators that are ignored (except capacity)

Temperature control capability
Temperature stability is the core performance indicator of the cooler. There are significant differences in the requirements for temperature accuracy in different industries. The pharmaceutical cold chain usually needs to maintain a strict temperature control standard of ±1℃, while ordinary food storage can accept a fluctuation range of ±5℃. The recovery speed of the refrigeration system is also important, especially when high-frequency access or large-scale purchases, slower temperature recovery may cause the storage environment to temporarily exceed the safe range.

Energy consumption and energy efficiency ratio
The selection of the refrigeration system needs to comprehensively consider the initial investment and long-term operating costs. The direct cooling system relies on natural convection to achieve refrigeration, which is prone to temperature stratification; the air cooling system ensures temperature uniformity through forced convection, but the equipment is more complex. Energy efficiency rating directly affects electricity consumption. Although high-efficiency equipment has a higher purchase cost, it can significantly reduce energy expenditure in long-term use.

Space utilization
The internal space planning of the cooler directly affects storage efficiency. Compared with fixed designs, adjustable shelf systems can better adapt to the storage needs of items of different specifications. The width of the channel needs to be determined according to the actual handling equipment. Reasonable dynamic line design can improve work efficiency while ensuring safe operating space.

Material and durability
The selection of liner materials needs to balance cost and durability. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and easy cleaning, and is suitable for high humidity or corrosive environments; galvanized steel plates have low costs, but may rust in harsh environments. Material selection should be based on the expected use environment and equipment life requirements.

Intelligent management
The intelligent functions of modern coolers are becoming an important consideration. Remote monitoring systems can achieve real-time environmental monitoring and reduce the need for manual inspections. System integration capabilities allow docking with existing management software to realize automated processing of inventory data. Choosing equipment with open interfaces can ensure flexibility for future functional expansion.

Key points for purchasing walk-in coolers in different scenarios

High-frequency use places (central kitchens/restaurants)
The most troublesome thing about this type of place is the frequent opening and closing of doors, which causes temperature fluctuations. Recommended options:

• Dual refrigeration system: It is like giving the cooler a double insurance. When one system is working, the other can be on standby at any time
• Air curtain machine + double door design: It can reduce the loss of cold air by more than 60% in actual measurement, which is equivalent to saving a lot of electricity bills every year

Pay special attention when purchasing:

• Test the sealing of the door seal with banknotes – it is qualified only if it cannot be pulled out after clamping
• The floor should be non-slip, and it is best to test the non-slip effect by pouring water on site
• The lighting should not only be bright enough, but also explosion-proof and fog-proof

Long-term storage needs (frozen food warehouses/food factories)

The most feared thing about this type of place is unstable temperature and sudden failures:

• The insulation layer should be thick enough: 150mm is the minimum requirement, just like wearing a down jacket for the cooler
• The alarm system should be reliable: it is best to be able to send text messages, make calls, and turn on the alarm light at the same time

Remember during field visits:

• Shine a flashlight on the cross section of the insulation layer. The bubbles should be fine and uniform.
• Test whether the door can close automatically. It is best if it closes automatically after opening a gap.
• Require to see the real insulation test report.

Use in special environments (tropical/humid areas).
High temperature and high humidity environment is a great test for the equipment:

• The compressor should be resistant to high temperature: just like a car engine needs a better cooling system.
• Electrical components should be moisture-proof: at least IP54 protection level should be achieved.

Key inspections:

• Is the cooling fan of the external unit made of anti-corrosion material?
• Require to provide operating data in high temperature environment.
• Check the waterproof performance of the control panel.

General purchase suggestions.
No matter what the scenario, the following points should be focused on:

• Structural safety: The load-bearing capacity should be at least 300kg/m², equivalent to 5 adults standing.
• Easy to use: The shelf should be able to adjust the height, and there should be enough space for the maintenance channel.
• After sales service: The compressor warranty is at least 5 years. It is best to choose a brand with a local service point.

It is recommended to bring a thermometer and a noise meter when conducting field tests, and focus on the following observations:

1. How long does it take to reach the set temperature after starting up?
2. Temperature fluctuation range when opening the door
3. Noise level when the equipment is running
4.  Will defrosting affect the storage temperature?

Guide to avoiding pitfalls when purchasing walk-in coolers: Don’t ignore these “hidden costs”

When purchasing a walk-in cooler, many people only focus on the purchase price, but ignore these hidden “money-burning” links. As the core of commercial refrigeration equipment, the long-term use cost of a walk-in cooler often far exceeds the initial purchase budget. Here are the key cost factors you must know:

Installation cost
• Special installation fee: Does a walk-in cooler need to be hoisted when installed in a high-rise building? Each device may cost an additional $300-700
• Tips: It is recommended to have the walk-in cooler supplier conduct a site survey in advance and provide a detailed installation plan and quotation

Maintenance cost just like car maintenance, the later maintenance is the biggest expense
• Filter replacement: Ordinary walk-in cooler models need to be replaced every 3 months, at 40−70 each time,which is 800-1,400 in 5 years
• Money-saving advice: Choose a walk-in cooler model equipped with a self-cleaning condenser. Although it is $400-700 more expensive, it can be recovered in 3 years

Hidden losses

These invisible losses are the most painful

• The cost of uneven temperature: The walk-in cooler of a supermarket chain
• The cost of improper defrosting: The walk-in cooler of an ice cream warehouse spent an extra $700 on electricity every month due to a defrosting design defect
• Pitfall avoidance advice: Before purchasing a walk-in cooler, you must look at the use cases of the same industry and focus on understanding the failure rate and repair cost

Conclusion

Choosing a walk-in coolers is essentially choosing a “long-term partner” for your business – it is not only a storage space, but also a key productivity tool to ensure product quality and improve operational efficiency. When purchasing, please be sure to jump out of the “bigger the better” thinking, and make a comprehensive judgment based on your actual access frequency, storage category characteristics, budget range, and development plans for the next 3-5 years. You might as well ask yourself a few key questions first: How many times do you need to open and close the door every day? What are the main products that are sensitive to temperature and humidity? Are the existing site and power conditions met? Only by accurately matching these business details with equipment performance can you avoid the embarrassment of “buying the wrong thing and regretting it.” Remember, a truly suitable walk-in cooler should be a wise choice that can meet current needs and leave room for future development.