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Commercial Refrigeration Glossary Page
Last Updated: 21st Mar 2024
Here we detail a list of words, terms and abbreviations that you may come across on our site. This glossary aims to provide a quick guide detailing each terms' meaning, definition or explanation in relation to our products.
A
Absorption refrigeration
A method of cooling that results in silent operation. It is typically considered to be more efficient however is not as powerful as standard commercial refrigeration. Absorption systems are generally used in hotel room or conference room fridges.
Air curtain
A stream or blast of continuous cold air forced vertically down to form a 'curtain'. Typically used on open fronted chillers, it keeps the cold air in.
Ambient
If a unit is said to be ambient, it means it is at the temperature of its surrounding area. It does not have heating or cooling devices.
Auto defrost
The term auto defrost or automatic defrost is used to describe a unit which will automatically remove the frost from within itself. It is an alternative to manual defrost.
B
Bottle dump
A bottle dump is another term for a chest cooler and is often seen in busy bars and clubs where large storage capacities are needed.
BSP
BSP is an abbreviation for British Standard Pipe. For example; a 3/4 BSP gas hose would be a British Standard Pipe of size 3/4.
C
Capacity
The space available within equipment to hold stock. This can be Gross Capacity or Net Capacity.
Climate class
The maximum ambient temperature at which equipment can work at optimum efficiency and is measured on a scale of 1 - 5. This coincides with Relative Humidity.
Commercial Refrigeration
Cold storage equipment including walk-in cold rooms, cabinet fridges and freezers, bar refrigeration, display fridges and freezers and blast chillers etc. that are used in commercial settings such as catering kitchens, restaurants, shops and schools etc.
Compressor
The first part of the refrigeration system, the compressor reduces the volume of gas or refrigerant causing high pressure which results in a temperature rise. Hot gas moves through to the condenser.
Condenser
The second part of the refrigeration system sometimes known as a heat exchanger. The condenser cools hot gas refrigerant via either air or water before compressing the gas to create a hot liquid. This then travels to a metering device.
Cu.Ft
Cu.ft is an abbreviation for the measurement of cubic feet. Where possible we supply capacities in both cubic feet and litres.
D
Dairy deck
Commonly known as a multideck, these open-fronted chillers offer a multi-level tiered display for chilled produce.
Decibels
The method used to measure noise level, typically when equipment is in operation. May be displayed as dB.
Display Refrigeration
Any piece of commercial refrigeration where the contents are clearly on view.
E
Energy Technology List (ETL)
A continuously updated list which features all equipment eligible on the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme.
Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA)
A scheme that allows a tax paying company to claim back 100% tax from energy saving equipment purchases in the first year. Eligible equipment must be present on the Energy Technology List (ETL).
Evaporator
The final stage of the refrigeration process. Cold refrigerant enters the evaporator and chills the equipment, vaporising and turning back into gas. This gas exits the evaporator and re-enters the compressor to begin the cycle again.
Expansion valve
The third stage of the refrigeration process, the expansion valve may be a capillary tube or metering device. Hot liquid undergoes a decrease in pressure which cools the liquid resulting in cold refrigerant. The cold refrigerant travels through to the evaporator.
F
Fan assisted cooling
Fan assisted cooling is used to identify a product which uses fans to assist in cooling the interior down to the required temperature.
G
Gastronorm (GN)
A gastronorm, sometimes abbreviated as GN, is a small, usually metallic container that is popularly used in the catering industry.
Global Warming Potential
Typically shown as GWP, the global warming potential refers to the amount of heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere. The lower the GWP the better.
Graded
Equipment that has been returned to the manufacturer due to mis-order or damage which is then sold at a discounted price.
Gross Capacity
Total space available and the maximum that can theoretically be held in refrigeration storage areas, calculated from the internal dimensions.
H
Hard water
ard water is used to describe water with a high mineral content, this can damage some machines and it is recommended to use water softener in these cases. Some manufacturers will void the warranty if damage is experienced due to hard water should a water softener not be fitted.
Heavy-Duty
Equipment designed for commercial or industrial use, with more rugged and durable components than domestic counterparts. This may also be determined by the equipment having a Climate Class of 5.
Hot gas defrost
The energy from the gas discharged from the compressor when it is at its highest temperature and pressure is used to melt the ice.
I
Integrated
Can be used in a number of instances. In terms of refrigeration, means cooling systems are inbuilt into and positioned inside the equipment. In terms of ice machines, means ice bins are built into the machine rather than available separately; integrated ice makers may also be referred to as integral or self-contained.
J
K
L
Light Duty
Equipment designed for commercial or industrial use, with more rugged and durable components than domestic counterparts. This may also be determined by the equipment having a Climate Class of 3.
M
Manufacturer’s warranty
Most of our products say "xx years/months manufacturer’s warranty" in the description. This means that if you buy the product you will have it under warranty with the manufacturer for xx length of time. On some of our commercial products the standard warranty is parts only however others will cover both parts & labour. There may an option to add labour warranty at an extra cost where parts only cover is offered as standard. If you are unsure about the warranty on a unit feel free to give us a call.
Medium Duty
Equipment designed for commercial or industrial use, with more rugged and durable components than domestic counterparts. This may also be determined by the equipment having a Climate Class of 4.
Milk pergal
More commonly referred to as a milk dispenser.
Minimum Energy Performance Standard (MEPS)
A mandatory label which must be displayed on certain types of commercial refrigeration. The label shows the maximum amount of energy a product uses during operation with an energy rating, capacity and climate class.
Modular
Can be used in a number of instances. In the case of cold rooms and freezer rooms, can denote that the structure is built from individual sections. Can also be used to describe equipment that be fitted together to create a run of equipment. When used in terms of ice machines and ice makers, shows that the ice production or motor unit is purchased separately to the ice bin.
N
Net Capacity
The maximum recommended amount of usable storage space that equipment was designed to hold while still functioning effectively.
O
P
Pan rail
A pan rail refers to a piece of countertop refrigeration that has the ability to hold GN pans.
Pass-Through
Equipment that can be accessed from both sides, often used to separate kitchen and serving areas.
'Plug and Play'
Any equipment fitted with a standard 3 pin plug is referred to as 'plug and play'. This means the unit can literally be plugged in to a standard socket and it's ready to use.
Pull down time
The time taken for refrigeration equipment to chill contents down to the required temperature.
Q
R
Refrigerant
The gas used within refrigeration equipment to achieve cold temperatures. There are different types of refrigerant including CFC's, HCFC's, HFC's & HC's etc however due to ozone depletion & climate change effects, only HC's are now used in accordance with legislation. Each refrigernat type has multiple forms of gas beneath it such as R600a or R290 etc.
Refrigerant Charge
The amount of refrigerant required for proper functioning of a refrigerating system.
Relative Humidity
Sometimes shown as RH, relative humidity relates to the amount of water vapour present in the air of the working environment in which equipment is positioned. It is usually displayed as a percentage (%).
Remote
When a unit is described as being remote, it means that the condenser of the unit is not built within the product, and is actually situated in a different location, usually connected by pipes. Also see Split system.
S
Single phase
Refers to electrical power. Single phase can either be up to 13 Amps which uses a standard 3 pin plug or hardwired directly into a fused spur.
Slimline
Slimline is a term used for units that are smaller in some way to the standard type of unit. This is usually in depth.
Split system
Where the condenser and evaporator are installed separately to each other - otherwise known as remote refrigeration.
Static cooling
Static cooling relies on the natural circulation of cold air within a piece of refrigeration.
Surcharge
A surcharge is an extra amount of money that must be paid on top of the cost. For example, some deliveries will incur a delivery surcharge because they are in a certain area or an overnight delivery has been specified.
Self Contained
See Integrated.
T
Temperature range
The temperature range is a units minimum and maximum operating temperatures. It will not exceed these temperatures in its normal operation.
Thermostat
A thermostat is a device used in cooling or heating products, it allows the end user to regulate the temperature by turning the relevant devices on or off.
Three phase
Refers to electrical power. Three phase will deliver more power and will operate at a higher voltage. It is required that the building be set up specifically for three phase equipment. Three phase uses a specialist electrical connector.
U
V
Ventilated cooling
Typically used in ice cream refrigeration, ventilated cooling works in the same way as fan assisted cooling.
W
Warranty
Please see Manufacturer's warranty.
WEEE Regulations
A piece of legislation introduced to reduce the amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment being sent to landfill. It promotes environmentally sound removal, treatment, disposal and recycling.
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