While it may seem like an easy way to keep costs under control in the early stages of growing your business, there’s a range of reasons why it can be a false economy to delay your investment.

Efficient refrigeration is the key to your business success

Catering operations need to store large quantities of products in an efficient manner. Even if you’re in the early stages of developing your business, the demands you’ll place on your refrigeration will be much higher than is the case for the average domestic user. You’ll be opening and closing the refrigeration door much more frequently and will need to ensure that products are stored at the right temperature.

Domestic refrigeration doesn’t offer anywhere near enough temperature control to be a realistic option for health and hygiene-conscious catering businesses.

Extra room

If you’re catering on any kind of scale, even the largest domestic refrigerators won’t provide enough room for keeping everything at the correct temperature. Instead, you’ll be packing items into your refrigerator, perhaps making them harder to find when needed. A serious catering operation, even a small one, needs to be able to store and access necessary items whenever they’re needed.

Energy efficiency

Commercial refrigerators are more energy-efficient for storing food at scale than domestic options. As your refrigeration is going to be in constant use, as energy-efficient an option as possible should be selected.

More durable

Commercial refrigerators are tough and hard-wearing. They’re built to withstand the demands of a busy kitchen. For instance, they will have stronger hinges than domestic refrigerators as well as handles that can cope with constant opening and closing.

Made for the task

Commercial refrigerators are designed specifically for commercial use. With either a fixed room installation or a modular design, the commercial fridge you use at your premises will be created with your requirements in mind. It will have appropriate storage and access for your needs, meaning you don’t have to struggle to find what you need or worry about where you’ll store everything. It will also be better suited for the kind of industry-standard deep clean that will be expected of your business.

At Enviro Chill, we install and maintain commercial refrigeration solutions for a wide range of different catering businesses.

To find out more about how commercial refrigeration can give your business an added advantage call 0151 2851818 or email sales@enviro-chill.co.uk

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Why are modular cold rooms becoming the cold storage solution of choice for so many catering businesses?

Flexibility

Because of their modular, on-site construction, they can be fitted almost anywhere. If you’re just starting out and your space is limited, a modular cold room gives you enhanced cold storage despite space restraints. Fixed cold rooms require significant access to be installed only really making them suitable for larger rooms, or for purpose-built facilities where they’re installed during the construction process.

Portable

Modular cold rooms can be built and dismantled quickly and then transported to new premises. If you run a business with a significant increase in trade volumes during certain times of the year, such as summer for a holiday business or around Christmas, then you can install temporary cold room facilities quickly.

Safe and secure

When properly constructed, modular cold rooms are safe to use. They will feature a handle on the side to guarantee exit for workers from cold rooms, and they can usually be locked to help reduce the risk of stock theft. The level of security and safety offered is equivalent to that found with fixed cold rooms.

Reliable

Modular cold rooms offer a completely reliable cold storage solution for businesses. Despite their size and modular nature, no aspect of their performance is compromised when compared to fixed room options. They can be relied upon to do the job required of them without any issues.

Solid

Because of their modular nature, it’s often presumed that modular cold rooms are less solid than fixed room versions. In fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth. When constructed by professionals, such as the experienced team at Enviro Chill, they are structurally sound. A modular cold room can withstand anything that’s thrown at it in a busy catering environment.

Efficient

Modular cold rooms are an extremely efficient option. They maintain consistent energy use and a consistent temperature even in very hot kitchens. This ensures that what’s placed within the cold storage remains at a steady overall temperature. That temperature can easily be modified through sophisticated temperature controls.

If you’re exploring the possibility of installing a modular cold room at your premises and would like to find out more about the benefits they can bring, then we’d love to hear from you. Our knowledgeable and experienced team are always happy to answer your questions.

Call 0151 521 8460 or email sales@enviro-chill.co.uk to find out more.

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What should you take into consideration when buying a commercial refrigerator for your business?

Buying a commercial fridge

The best commercial refrigeration unit for your business will be influenced by a number of different factors:

Energy efficiency

How energy efficient is the fridge you are considering? If it adds a huge amount to your business utility bills and ultimately is too expensive to run, then it might be wise to explore alternative options.

Available space

Before you decide on your commercial refrigeration you should carefully consider the amount of space you have available. Consider how you will use your unit, which way the doors will open and close and how much space you’ll have to enter and leave.

Cost

Of course, cost is nearly always a factor when it comes to making commercial decisions. The costs of different types of refrigeration unit can vary greatly. You will need to balance the overall cost of the unit against the type of usage you expect. While it’s important not to overreach your budget, there are real dangers in cutting corners.

Amount and type of storage required

Perhaps the single most important factor to consider when buying a commercial refrigeration unit is what you will be storing in it, the amount of storage space you require, and how you will use that storage.

What are the features of a commercial fridge?

A commercial refrigerator has a range of features that makes it different to a domestic refrigerator. Firstly, it has more durable refrigeration. Every time a fridge door is opened and closed, cold air escapes. As a result, refrigerators will contain heavy-duty refrigeration components that make it better able to cope with the increased use.

The temperature control will be much more accurate because food safety is key, and waste needs to be minimised. They are generally more energy-efficient than domestic refrigerators, and their superior manufacturing means they are likely to last longer as long as they are properly maintained.

What are the applications of commercial fridges?

A commercial fridge can range from a small behind counter fridge for the front of a shop or cafe, through to large walk-in cold rooms for large catering operations and supermarkets. Serve-over counters can be used in butchers and delicatessens. Preparation counters combine refrigeration with space to prepare food and are suitable for busy kitchens.

What are the different types of commercial fridges?

There are a wide range of different refrigeration options available for commercial purposes. These include:

Cold rooms

Cold rooms are walk-in facilities that control their internal temperature through the use of refrigerants, as with a domestic refrigerator but on a larger scale.

Commercial cabinet refrigerators

Available in single or double-door options, cabinet refrigerators are a practical solution for many businesses. Widely used in pubs, cafes, restaurants and takeaways, they’re an efficient and practical choice

Commercial countertop refrigerators

Not every food or hospitality business has space for a large commercial refrigerator. In which case, a countertop refrigerator can be a sensible choice. Compact, countertop solutions allow you to keep counter areas clutter-free while ensuring your food and drink products are correctly stored.

Commercial meat fridges

The risks of contaminated meat are great. Whether you’re a butcher or run a restaurant, you can’t afford to take any chances with how meat products are stored. Commercial meat fridges ensure that your products are kept safe until needed.

Which refrigerator brand is the most reliable?

There are several high-quality brands of commercial refrigerators. The most suitable for your needs will depend on the type of business you’re running, and your particular requirements.

The experienced team at Enviro Chill can provide tailored advice about refrigeration options, available brands and how best to keep your bills and carbon footprint under control.

Call us on 0151 285 1818 or use our online contact form to find out more.

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Is second-hand equipment safe?

Safety is a primary concern for anyone who is running any kind of catering business. If you don’t store your products correctly, it can have serious health and safety consequences. It might even result in your business being closed down. When it comes to the safe storage of food, second-hand equipment that has been well maintained should safely store your products, but this can’t be guaranteed. Over time, commercial refrigeration equipment can become less efficient. This will ultimately impact on temperature control and the shelf life of whatever is kept inside it.

Another possible safety issue is the danger of fire. Refrigerators are one of the most common causes of both domestic and commercial fires. When you opt for second-hand equipment you have no way of knowing how well it has been maintained and what kind of condition it’s in. No one should install second-hand equipment into their premises without it undergoing a thorough safety inspection by an experienced technician. The costs of this will need to be budgeted for.

With second-hand equipment, there is a considerable chance that something will need to be replaced or repaired to make it safe for use. Parts may need to be secured and the cost of extra work accounted for. The older and cheaper the equipment, the more likely it is to need costly remedial work. If you fail to carry out any repairs or to have your equipment checked you could be running the risk of a fire.

Are second-hand fridges any good?

With new commercial fridges, there is consistency in what you will receive. They are new, safety checked and should be highly-efficient. They will also be under warranty and should you encounter any problems the costs of parts and getting them fixed will be covered.

With second-hand equipment what you get is much more variable. You may land yourself a bargain that serves your needs, works well and doesn’t give you any maintenance issues. Alternatively, you could end up with something that doesn’t work effectively, or may even be a safety risk.

Should I buy second-hand commercial refrigeration equipment?

When safety, maintenance and reliability are taken into consideration it can make more sense to purchase new refrigeration equipment. Second-hand equipment doesn’t come with the same warranties and safety checks as new equipment. New equipment is also much more likely to meet your precise specifications, whereas with second-hand equipment the choice may be much more limited. With new equipment, bespoke solutions can be created.

Based in Liverpool, Enviro Chill are your local commercial refrigeration specialists across the North West. From cabinet refrigerators to countertop fridge units. we can provide a range of commercial refrigeration options, helping you find the right choice for your business. We can also keep it maintained and offer a 24-hour emergency breakdown service.

Call us on 0151 285 1818 or use our online contact form to find out more about our commercial fridge units.

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For many catering businesses, a walk-in cold room is an optimal solution.

So, what exactly is a cold room and what benefits can it bring to your business?

What is a cold room?

A cold room is essentially a refrigerator on a much larger scale. It allows for the storage of perishable items at the correct temperature, in the quantities required for running a commercial operation. They are most commonly used in catering operations but are also found where pharmaceutical products need to be stored. A walk-in cold room is just that, a large, refrigerated unit that allows you to walk in, store and retrieve anything you require.

How do cold rooms work?

A cold room contains the following components:

● Compressor – compresses the refrigerant gas.
● Condenser – cools hot gas into a cold liquid.
● Expansion valve – controls the flow of liquid gas and cools the coil by absorbing energy.
● Refrigerator fans – circulates air over cold evaporator coils and cools the room.
● Cold room door – a rigid door with excellent insulation to help maintain the temperature in the cold room.

Why does a restaurant need a cold room?

A cold room is a key requirement for most restaurants. If you are catering on any scale, then the ability to store perishable goods for any length of time is vital. Cold rooms expand your capacity and reduce the need for daily deliveries. This, in turn, helps to drive down costs.

A cold room also allows you to store items easily, meaning that you won’t have to struggle to find things when your restaurant gets hectic. In a busy kitchen, this can make all the difference.

The amount of waste your business generates is also reduced by a walk-in cold room. This will ultimately have a positive impact on your overheads.

Enviro Chill can create the ideal cold room for your business

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers and installers of cold rooms, we understand what your business needs when it comes to cold storage. We can install both commercial chillers and freezer cold rooms in a variety of sizes, from small modular cold rooms, to larger units for bigger restaurants. We can also create an entirely bespoke solution.

Our engineers will work with you to find out your requirements, and how a highly functional cold room can be created within the space you have available. We also understand that every restaurant operates in a strict budgetary environment, and any solution we come up with will be firmly within your available budget. Whatever the size of your business and the scale of your ultimate ambition we can help.

Our team of professional engineers are always on hand to answer any questions you might have. Why not contact us to find out more about our commercial refrigeration services, and to book a free site survey and quotation? Or call us directly on 0151 285 1818 or email sales@enviro-chill.co.uk to chat to a member of our team about your cold room requirements.

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While it’s important to know what motivates you, if you don’t get the nuts and bolts right then it’s likely your business will face unnecessary challenges going forward.

If you’re running a restaurant, bar, cafe, hotel or other food or hospitality operation, getting your refrigeration right is vital.

Commercial grade refrigeration will be one of your biggest outlays, so it’s important to get it right first time. A cold room is frequently the optimum solution for catering operations.

What are the benefits of a cold room?

Walk-in cold rooms can make life much easier for you and your staff, offering high levels of convenience and organisation. Locating food and drink on organised shelving is much easier than having to rummage through refrigerator drawers. In a busy kitchen environment that can make all the difference. They allow you to keep larger quantities of products at hand, reducing the need for ordering and deliveries.

Do you need a cold room?

 Whether or not your business needs a cold room, or can make do with a smaller refrigeration unit depends on the amount and type of the food you’ll be serving.  Larger businesses that use high quantities of refrigerated ingredients are likely to require the space and convenience that only a cool room can bring. Small catering operations, less so. Think about the amount of deliveries you have on a daily and weekly basis. If you’re filling up your refrigeration with fresh produce every day, which is then used quickly, then you might not need a cold room. If your deliveries are once or twice weekly, then a cold room might be a practical solution.

How much-refrigerated produce will you have in stock at any one time?

Do you have the space for a cold room?

 You may feel you need a cold room, but do you realistically have the space? The good news is, cold rooms now come in a variety of sizes from walk in closet size, to large rooms. This means a broader range of businesses can make use of them.  Getting the size right is key to keeping your cold room efficient. In smaller units, the goods inside are packed closer together reducing air flow. If your cold room is too large, you’ll be paying unnecessary running costs. At Enviro Chill we can custom make the ideal cold room for your business, finding the perfect balance between size and efficiency.

How do cold storage rooms?

The technology used in a cold oom is practically identical to that used in domestic refrigeration, but more complex and on a larger scale due to the demands of these types of unit.

What temperature do cold rooms run at?

There’s a range of temperature options available depending on your individual requirements. Refrigerated cold rooms typically run at a temperature range of between 0c and 10c, an optimum range for the chilled storage of diary and cooked meats.

For fresh fish and meat, lower temperatures are usually required, so a range of -2c to -5c, might be more appropriate. If you keep a large amount of frozen goods in stock, then walk-in freezers which have temperatures of around -15c to -25c might be the optimum choice.

Are cold room installations complicated?

Modular construction techniques have made the whole installation process much simpler, and they can be erected inside an existing building. They do need to be fitted by a qualified engineer, who will make a site visit to find out your exact requirements, and then advise you as to the best way to proceed.

Enviro Chill offer professional refrigeration services across the North West

Based in Liverpool, but operating across the North West, our qualified engineers provide a professional cold room installation service. We create bespoke cold rooms that meet the precise business requirements of our customers. From cold room systems for warehouses, to bespoke modular cold rooms for restaurants, we’re experienced at finding the right solution for the differing needs of our clients.

To find out more about our commercial refrigeration services, or to arrange a free site visit, call us on 0151 285 1818, or use our online contact form .

The post The ultimate guide for selecting and installing a cold room for your business appeared first on Enviro Chill.

Commercial fridges have a larger compressor compared to residential ones. Now, at home, you try not to open the fridge multiple times to avoid putting extra load on the compressor. In commercial kitchens, on the other hand, the fridge is opened a number of times but a heavy compressor is able to withstand rough usage. So, it requires a bigger compressor to maintain a cool temperature. Commercial refrigeration has better cooling capacities for effective preservation and storing.

Investing in good commercial fridges is necessary for the success of your restaurant/catering/café business. How to select the best one depends on your business’s needs.

Here are 5 things to consider when you are buying a commercial refrigeration  unit:

1. Energy Efficient

Commercial refrigeration units have a high running cost because they have a lot of heavy lifting to do. So, while it is necessary to get commercial fridges you can afford, you should also pay attention to the fact whether the fridge you are getting is energy efficient or not. Always get those appliances that come with an energy star rating.

2. The Right Style

You would come across a plethora of styles to choose from while getting commercial fridges. For your needs, getting any fridge wouldn’t do. You have to get the one that meets your storage requirement. Say, you have a retail store. For that, you would not need a standard huge commercial refrigeration unit but a one with a glass display to store your products and put them on display as well.

Now, different commercial fridges come with varying levels of cooling and insulation. Take the example of solid door types that offer a better level of insulation as there is limited heat transfer from the outside to the inside. These are ideal for perishable good as the temperature remains balanced.

Meanwhile, glass door commercial fridges are not ideal when it comes to insulation or cooling as there is only a thin barrier between the inner and outer parts that leads to easy heat transfer. They are great for displaying food items.

3. A Reliable Brand

Before investing in a commercial refrigeration unit, see that you are putting your trust and money into a reliable brand. It is important because the quality of service you provide to your regular customers relies on how reliable your tools/appliances are. So, always look for a reliable brand to lower the risk of equipment failure.

4. The Cost

It is important to decide a clear budget when you are selecting a commercial refrigeration unit or a walk-in freezer. If you have a limited budget, weigh the pros and cons if you select a lesser-known brand. They might cost less than the famous branded ones but think through about the maintenance expense that they could incur in the future.

It might be expensive, but opting for a reputable and trusted commercial refrigeration supplier would prevent you from unnecessary expenses in the long run.

5. Space Plan

You must do careful space planning before choosing commercial fridges as they are large. The first step is to measure the available area at your premises. Do you have space for swinging doors? If not, then you could think about getting sliding doors.

Also, measure your entrance that leads to space where you plan to keep the commercial fridges or walk-in freezer.

If you are looking to invest in commercial refrigeration or walk-n freezer in Birkenhead, Chester, Liverpool, St. Helens, and Warrington Areas, look no further than Envirochill. They deal with everything related to installation, maintenance, and supply of commercial fridges and have an expansive range of refrigeration solutions including cold rooms, meat chillers, and walk-in freezers.

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