An industrial kitchen needs industrial equipment, and nothing is more valuable than a cold room. Cold rooms are refrigerated chambers or walk in chiller rooms that provide a specific temperature for storing food and other products. For those in the food industry, cold rooms are invaluable for ensuring that all of their products remain at optimal temperatures for safe consumption and storage.
From restaurant kitchens to catering kitchens, cold rooms can make all the difference when offering top-quality products with maximum shelf life. Whether you’re looking to store fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, or even flowers, cold rooms are essential for keeping your inventory safe and preserving its quality.
But what exactly makes cold rooms so valuable? Here we look at some of the key benefits of owning a cold room.
What is a cold room, and how does it work?
A cold room is a refrigerated structure for chilled or freezer storage where you can artificially control the temperature. These walk-in fridges and freezers are specially designed to keep products at specific temperatures, generally between 0°C and +10°C for chiller rooms and -15°C to -25°C for freezer rooms, for storing food and other items that require cold storage.
Cold rooms have their own refrigeration cycles with evaporator coils that contains coolant. The cold air produced by the coil circulates within the cold room, maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the chamber. The cold air also helps keep humidity levels low, so your stored goods don’t spoil from excessive moisture.
Benefits of Cold Rooms
1. Large Storage Capacity
One of the critical benefits of cold rooms is that they provide ample storage space for various products. This large capacity storage makes them perfect for restaurants and other businesses with extensive inventories or orders. Cold rooms are not only ideal for trays or boxes of smaller items but also allow for bulkier items to be stored in the same place.
2. Easy Organisation
Cold rooms also promote organised storage and easy access to your products when needed. Shelving systems can be tailored to suit individual needs, so you can keep your inventory well organised, easy to find and operate a critical FIFO (first in first out) system of stock rotation.
3. Off-the-Shelf Standard Sizes
Cold rooms come in both standard, or 'off the shelf' sizes and bespoke set-ups. With the standard modular cold rooms, you can purchase one from a catalogue of sizes and install it without any additional work required. Meanwhile, custom built bespoke cold rooms and freezer rooms can be designed to fit your exact requirements for maximum storage capacity and convenience. If you need an unusual size or layout, that's no problem. With a site survey and a little project management the exact walk-in cold room and freezer room that your business needs can be created.
4. Combines Smaller Refrigeration
Having multiple refrigerated units in an industrial kitchen can give you the level of storage you require but can also take up valuable floor area. By opting for cold room storage, you’ll have everything combined into one large store freeing up much-needed space in other areas of your kitchen or business premises.
5. Temperature Maintenance
Cold rooms and freezer rooms provide consistent temperatures that you can set according to specific requirements. Consistent temperatures ensure that the goods stored inside retain the quality that was present at the point at which they were purchased. Should a power cut occur, cold rooms can also help to protect against spoilage and waste, as the large, insulated room can remain colder for extended periods at lower temperatures.
6. Customisable
You can have your chiller room customised to your individual needs and specifications. From insulated doors and internal lights to shelves and multiple doors, you can design the cold room exactly how you want it for maximum efficiency and convenience.
7. Energy-Efficient Refrigeration
Insulation is vital when looking at cold storage solutions, especially if you want an energy-efficient option. Cold rooms are insulated with high-quality materials, making them energy efficient and ensuring cold air remains in the cold room for longer. Proper insulation helps keep running costs low while still maintaining optimal storage temperatures. Freezer rooms are supplied with a floor as standard to help maintain low temperatures and improve efficiency.
8. Integrated and Remote Refrigeration
Finally, depending on your needs and budget, cold rooms can come with integrated or remote refrigeration systems. The integrated cold room system is usually more cost-effective as the refrigeration system is built into the cold room and requires less maintenance. On the other hand, a remote cold room or remote freezer room is slightly more energy-efficient but has higher upfront costs due to its complexity. Read more about Remote Vs Integral Refrigeration.
Making the Right Decision When Buying a Cold Room
When buying a cold room, it’s essential to research and consider all the pros and cons before making your final decision. A cold room is a big purchase that requires an initial investment of time, money and energy, so make sure you get it right the first time.
It is always recommended to have a site survey with experts who can advise on the best cold storage for your business needs.
At FFD, we have a range of cold rooms and freezer rooms for businesses of all sizes — from modular integrated freezer rooms and cold rooms, remote options and bespoke installations. From site surveys and advice on the best walk in refrigeration for you to installation services and aftercare support, our team can help you buy a cold room that works for your business. Read more about making the right choice in our Cold Room Buying Guide.
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