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A Guide to Commercial Refrigeration
Last Updated: 5th Apr 2024
Commercial Refrigeration Page Contents
Brief History of Commercial Refrigeration - Chilling Through the Years
FFD's Place in the Commercial Refrigeration Market
Take Advantage of Graded Commercial Refrigeration Products
Supporting You After your Commercial Refrigeration Purchase
Commercial Refrigeration Engineers
FFD - Part of CEDA
The Difference Between Domestic and Commercial Refrigeration
What Does Commercial Refrigeration Include?
- Bar Refrigeration
Commercial Bottle Coolers
Commercial Wine Coolers
Cellar Cooling and Keg Coolers
Commercial Ice Machines - Storage and Catering Refrigeration
Commercial Storage and Catering Fridges
Commercial Storage and Catering Freezers
Commercial Chest Freezers
Preparation Counters
Blast Chillers and Freezers - Display Refrigeration
Commercial Display Fridges
Commercial Display Freezers
Serve Over Counters
Multidecks
Ice Cream Displays and Storage
Refrigerated Cake Display Cabinets
Countertop Refrigeration
Drinks Dispensers - Industrial Refrigeration
Cold Rooms - Specialist Refrigeration
Medical Refrigeration
Specialist Refrigeration
At FFD we boast a comprehensive range of commercial refrigeration units for all hospitality, entertainment, retail and catering settings. Boasting equipment from leading manufacturers we guarantee that finding a unit that you can rely on, both in terms of performance and efficiency, is simple and stress-free. Whether you are looking for a bottle cooler for your bar or a blast chiller for your commercial kitchen, we will help you find a product that is perfect for your requirements.
Brief History of Commercial Refrigeration – Chilling Through the Years
Keeping perishables cold in a domestic and commercial setting hasn’t always been as easy as opening a door and placing your products inside. Before the advent of commercial refrigerators and the scientific understanding of how refrigerating systems work, people were reduced to employing rudimentary methods such as utilising naturally sourced ice, water evaporation techniques or simply salting or pickling ingredients where possible to increase preservation and shelf life.
Artificial refrigeration systems began, in their most basic form, in 1755 when Professor Willian Cullen designed a small machine comprising of a pump and a container of diethyl ether. The pump created a partial vacuum as the diethyl ether was boiled which resulted in the absorption of heat from the air immediately around the container. Although this had no practical use at the time, it formed the basis for ongoing research – research that would eventually evolve into the discovery and production of refrigerant gases and the equipment that is more commonly recognised in today’s market.
What was originally designed on a smaller scale with limited power, more suited to the domestic market, soon developed into a force to be reckoned with that could effectively chill and preserve large quantities of perishable foods. Chilling and preservation techniques as we know them had emerged.
The industry is still evolving and progressing, with the investigation and research ongoing into environmentally friendly approaches to refrigeration on every scale, enhanced efficiency and performance and indeed, keeping the refrigeration equipment designs themselves fresh and up-to-date.
FFD’s Place in the Commercial Refrigeration Market
FFD has been a driving force in the supply of commercial refrigeration to the catering and hospitality sector for over 10 years. During this time, we have garnered in-depth knowledge and valuable experience of the industry to firmly place us as a leading supplier of commercial refrigeration in the UK.
Purchasing catering refrigeration has never been easier thanks to our expert advisers and their dedication to offering the best brands at the most competitive prices. Our team are diligent and adept when it comes to hand-selecting the various types and designs of commercial catering, display and bar refrigeration units that are available on our site. Having built up strong partnerships with some of the world’s leading industrial refrigeration manufacturers, we are well-placed to offer our valued customers the very best in terms of quality in relation to price.
Each and every one of the commercial fridges that we offer to our customers has been tried and tested in the toughest environments. Whether you're searching for blast chillers, storage freezers, catering fridges, chest coolers or cold rooms to name but a few, you can make a purchase safe in the knowledge that they will do their job effectively and efficiently for years to come.
FFD supply premium quality cabinets and equipment on a national scale. Whether searching for commercial refrigeration in London, in the Highlands of Scotland or on the South Coast, we can deliver the equipment you need, when you need it.
In a world that is ever more conscious of our responsibility to the planet and climate, FFD and the manufacturers we work with are committed to energy efficient, sustainable solutions, both during the production and the operation of equipment. One of the biggest questions we are asked by our customers is regarding commercial refrigeration disposal services. Our customers share our commitment to a greener, healthier environment and so to facilitate their passion and achieve a united goal, we offer a recycling solution for all refrigeration equipment where possible.
Whilst we know that you want the very best for your business, we also understand that sometimes budgets just won't allow for the purchase of the perfect equipment. To ensure that everyone can benefit from the best, we can arrange commercial leasing options for many businesses where orders are over £1000 exc. VAT.
With our many years of experience in meeting customer requirements and expectations, we know what our customers need and how we can make their wishes a reality.
Read more about FFD on our About Us page.
Take Advantage of Graded Commercial Refrigeration Products
Any commercial refrigeration equipment can prove costly whether looking at the budget end of the market or opting for the very best with premium models. To make sure your investment goes further, graded commercial refrigerators are a great solution. Comprising of products in a range of conditions, from new equipment minus the original packaging, units with slight cosmetic damage to reconditioned pieces, there are some good deals to be had. Stock is continuously changing so getting the exact model you want isn’t guaranteed however give us a call and see what’s available.
Click here for more information on Graded Commercial Refrigeration.
Supporting You After your Commercial Refrigeration Purchase
At FFD, we believe that our responsibility to our customers extends much further than simply finding the right equipment and delivering orders. We pride ourselves on a full customer service, support and aftercare, from placing a courtesy after sales call to make sure that everything went well with delivery and acting on behalf of our customers and conferring with manufacturers should any issue arise, to offering advice where necessary and providing a comprehensive support portal where customers can access their order history and details.
In order to give our customers as much as support as possible, we are always available on the telephone, via email or on our LiveChat between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday. Alternatively, we offer a wealth of information through our FFD Info Centre where we aim to keep our customers fully informed regarding all areas and topics of the commercial refrigeration industry. Find other methods of getting in touch on our Contact Us page.
Alternatively, we have an FAQ’s section that provides a commercial refrigeration troubleshooting guide, comprising the most common questions that our customers have.
Commercial Refrigeration Engineers
Our service, however, goes beyond the experience, dedication and support we offer to our customers. We understand the importance of regular servicing and maintenance of equipment, not only from a performance and efficiency perspective but also to maximise equipment longevity. Similarly, if you experience an issue with any equipment it’s vital to have access to qualified professionals that provide assistance and commercial refrigeration repairs where necessary. To guarantee we are in a position to offer a fully rounded service we have developed a network of trusted, independent commercial refrigeration engineers around the country.
FFD – Part of CEDA
The Catering Equipment Distributors Association (CEDA) is made up of more than 100 companies who serve and supply the catering, foodservice and hospitality industry. They bring together like-minded professionals, each dedicated to delivering quality service and products to the end-user.
When people think of catering equipment, they often assume that it refers to cooking equipment. The truth is that the term ‘catering equipment’ also entails commercial refrigeration. FFD is a proud member of CEDA, sharing the common belief with other members that every customer deserves excellence, with regards to the choice of equipment on offer, during the buying process and after-sales support.
We are committed to delivering these values to each and every one of our customers.
The Difference Between Domestic and Commercial Refrigeration
While both domestic and commercial refrigerators achieve the same outcome and operate on the same basic principle, there are some major differences between the equipment seen in the home and the larger units situated in catering kitchens, restaurants, canteens, cafes and other foodservice settings.
Some of the main areas of contrast include:
Manufacture – commercial units are manufactured using higher quality materials for added durability and longevity in notoriously tough working environments.
Components – more powerful refrigeration systems require more powerful components. Compressors, condensers and evaporators are designed to withstand greater demand and deliver enhanced performance.
Usage – commercial refrigerators are designed to withstand a high level of usage where doors are frequently opened. Every time access is gained, cold air escapes and the refrigeration system must be able to quickly and efficiently pull temperatures back down to the desired setting.
Specifications and Features – all commercial refrigeration equipment will offer a greater level of precision and consistency with regards to performance. Features such as insulation, door seals and lighting will also meet a higher specification than domestic models.
Take a look at Commercial Refrigeration & Domestic: The Differences for a more in-depth look at the critical differences between the two.
The service you can expect when buying refrigeration in a commercial capacity also differs from making a purchase in the domestic market. Click here for more details on Defining Commercial Refrigeration, and the differences you can expect to see in relation to warranties, deliveries, maintenance and consumer rights.
What Does Commercial Refrigeration Include?
Whether you’re running a restaurant, takeaway, café, bar, or a pub, there’s little more important than making sure that the food and drinks that you serve to your customers are of excellent quality, at the right temperature, and safe to consume. To do this, there is a wide range of commercial chiller fridge options available, with different options that are designed for various food and drink options.
Bar Refrigeration
Featuring under counter or tall upright cabinets, these glass door fridges are perfect for displaying your full range of bottled drinks at optimum serving temperatures. Solid door units and chest coolers are also available in this section to grant additional storage space whilst maintaining chilled conditions.
Store and display your full wine selection with under counter or tall upright wine coolers. Delivering total control over the temperature and humidity of the cabinets, your valuable wines are maintained in premium conditions, conducive to preserving quality, flavour and aroma.
Creating the perfect environment in which to store beverages, cellar cooling units refrigerate and cool existing rooms to guarantee that appropriate storage temperatures and conditions can be met.
Keg coolers offer the perfect opportunity for smaller or temporary bars to store and serve kegged beer without the need for a permanent bar fixture. Allowing businesses to maximise available space and productivity, keg coolers are a great way to boost profits.
Ice is a major element of any business, whether in pubs and bars for use in tall drinks, shorts on the rocks or cocktails, restaurants for storage and shops for fresh fish displays. This range of integral and modular ice machines provides the perfect solution for any scale of business with the choice of ice types and capacities.
Storage and Catering Refrigeration
Suitable for general purpose chilling and storage, these solid door cabinets are a necessity in any commercial kitchen. A commercial chiller fridge can be used behind the scenes to keep certain ingredients fresh in the kitchen until they are needed for a dish. Whether you’re looking for storage fridges for situation in a separate space away from the cooking area or catering fridges designed to operate in the heart of the kitchen, your stock will also be preserved in premium condition.
For sub-zero storage of ingredients, storage and catering freezers are designed with a solid door for positioning either in a separate area away from the kitchen where temperatures are cooler or in the heat of the working kitchen where ambient temperatures can reach up to 30°C or 45°C. Suitable for lengthier periods of storage, these units will extend shelf life without compromising on quality.
A large capacity storage solution, commercial chest freezers represent the pinnacle of storage freezing. Strong, durable and efficient, these deep freeze chest cabinets are a critical part of any successful foodservice business.
Offering advanced versatility, food prep counters combine a hygienic working surface with refrigerated storage. With a number of designs and variables available prep counters can be tailored to best serve your business style, whether that’s with regards to GN wells, lids, drawers or glass doors.
Optimising food safety, blast chillers and blast freezers rapidly pull down the core temperature of cooked foods, through the food danger zone where bacteria is at it’s most virulent. An essential component of any catering and foodservice operation guarantees that best practice with regards to food hygiene can always be observed.
Display Refrigeration
Showcase your refrigerated produce with this range of glass door display fridges. The ideal addition to any retail setting, you can choose single, double and triple door upright cabinets to maximise display capacity or under counter units to fully utilise all available space. Commercial chiller fridges are used to keep chilled food at the right temperature to reduce the development of bacteria and keep the food fresher for longer, ensuring that it is safe for customers to buy and consume. They can also be used to keep drinks at the perfect temperature. You can find a wide range of commercial chiller fridges that are specially designed to chill drinks such as beer, cider, and wine, and make sure that your customers are always getting the refreshing drink that they expect.
Present frozen products in a glass door display freezer and extend preservation and shelf life of foods whilst attractively showcasing contents and boosting sales. Whatever the size or layout of your business, there is a display freezer to meet demand from single, double or triple door upright cabinets to under counter units or large capacity wall site models.
Ideal for cafes, shops and delis, serve over counters allow you to present your full selection of fresh foods whilst retaining quality and freshness when on display. Customers can clearly view what’s available from their side of the counter while produce remains easy to access from the rear for staff to deliver a speedy service. Typically featuring a glass panel, fresh goods will always be protected while still remaining visible.
As a multi-level shelving fridge, multidecks are the ultimate in display refrigeration for shops and supermarkets. A display fridge is used to keep grab-and-go items like sandwiches fresh in a place where they can easily be reached by your customers. Providing the opportunity to organise products whilst maintaining precision storage temperatures and remaining easy to access for customers, these display merchandisers are a must-have for self-serve businesses. With options for every scale and size of premises, there’s plenty to choose from.
A massive draw for any business, ice cream display and storage refrigeration are an important investment. Whether you’re looking for a storage freezer, display freezer or a soft scoop display from which to serve customers directly, there’s a piece of equipment to meet demand and make sure you have everyone’s favourite flavour.
Draw attention to your delicious cakes, chocolates and patisseries with an attractive display case. Not only showcasing your freshly baked treats to visually tempt customers, chocolate and cake displays also maintain the right conditions to guarantee freshness, taste, texture and overall quality from the beginning to the end of the day.
Make use of all available space with this range of countertop refrigeration. The compact designs lend themselves perfectly to positioning on existing counters and surfaces to transform plain prep counters with a topping unit or place refrigerated goods directly in a customer’s eye line. What’s more, as they can be placed at the point of purchase, they’re the perfect way to boost impulse sales.
Whether you want to serve fresh juices, milk or slushies, the right drinks dispenser can ensure that your customers always have quick and easy access to cold beverages. Designed for countertop placement, they’re a great addition to any buffet, café, canteen or shop.
Industrial Refrigeration
The ultimate in large capacity refrigerated storage, cold rooms and freezer rooms are available in a full range of dimensions and indeed bespoke solutions, allowing every business demand and requirement to be met. The fully modular designs result in a complete room structure specifically for the purpose of refrigerated storage. For industrial refrigeration on a large scale, cold rooms are the perfect solution.
Specialist Refrigeration
Accurate, consistent and reliable, medical refrigeration offers precision storage for critical vaccines, samples and other temperature sensitive items. Available with fridge and freezer temperature ranges, these models are suitable for medical and scientific research premises.
Housing ice cream machines, frozen yoghurt machines, meat ageing cabinets and bakery refrigeration, this specialist section holds an array of non-standard commercial refrigeration.