Whether you're setting up a new commercial kitchen or attempting to optimize an existing one, walk-in coolers and freezers are essential components that play a pivotal role in your business's operations. Just as crucial as the coolers themselves is the shelving inside them. Proper shelving ensures not only reliability and efficient storage but also safety and cleanliness, which are imperative in a commercial kitchen setting.
Introduction to the Importance of Proper Shelving in Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
In the chaotic world of commercial kitchens, organization is critical. Ensuring that items are accessible, safe from cross-contamination, and temperature controlled can make all the difference in daily operations. Walk-in coolers and freezers, given their size and purpose, demand specific shelving solutions to maximize these factors. The right shelving can:
Optimize Space & Enhance Organization: Make the most of the cooler or freezer space, ensuring items aren't just stashed anywhere. Walk-in freezer shelving allows you to store more items inside the freezer, and in a much more orderly fashion. When you get items off of the ground and organized onto shelving, employees will be less likely to trip and hurt themselves, which could increase your liability and downtime.
Ensure Freshness: Most importantly, the right shelving will enable proper air circulation, which can prolong the life of perishable items.
Requirements for Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Shelving
While walk-in coolers and freezers may seem similar in function - they both store food at low temperatures, after all - their shelving requirements can differ in several ways:
Temperature Tolerance: Freezer shelving needs to withstand much colder temperatures without becoming brittle or compromising its structural integrity.
Moisture Resistance: Given the increased moisture content in coolers due to frequent opening and closing, cooler shelving tends to prioritize moisture resistance to prevent mold growth and rust.
Design and Layout: Freezers often store bulkier items or those that are preserved for longer periods, while coolers might hold items that are accessed more frequently, influencing the design and layout of shelves.
Rest assured, the same shelving units can be used in both situations since our commercial kitchen shelving units have been designed to withstand freezing temperatures while also protecting against mold, rust and bacteria buildup.
Overview of Various Types of Shelving for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
Polymer Shelving:
Material and Design: Made from durable polymer materials, these shelves are designed to be robust and long-lasting. They are available in both solid and ventilated designs.
Weight Capacity: Each polymer shelf can hold an impressive weight of up to 1,000 lbs, making them suitable for heavy items.
Warranty: Polymer shelves come with a lifetime warranty, testifying to their durability and quality.
Environments: Whether it's a wet, dry, humid, or freezing environment, polymer shelving stands resilient, offering versatility in various kitchen conditions.
Stainless Steel Shelving:
Material and Design: Crafted from premium stainless steel, these shelves are available in both wire and solid designs. Their sleek appearance also adds a touch of elegance to the storage area.
Weight Capacity: Each stainless steel shelf can support up to 800 lbs, making them reliable for a wide array of items.
Warranty: Like the polymer shelving, stainless steel shelves also boast a lifetime warranty, ensuring longevity and a worthwhile investment.
Environments: These shelves are adept at handling a range of conditions, be it wet, dry, humid, or freezing, thanks to the rust-resistant and durable nature of stainless steel.
Epoxy Coated Shelving:
Material and Design: With a sturdy wire structure coated in epoxy, these shelves are available in various colors, including gray, green, and black, allowing for some customization based on aesthetic preferences.
Weight Capacity: The epoxy coated wire shelves are capable of holding up to 800 lbs per shelf, ensuring robustness.
Warranty: They come with a 15-year warranty, offering a considerable period of assured durability.
Environments: These shelves are designed to withstand diverse conditions such as wet, humid, freezing, and dry environments. The epoxy coating also provides an added layer of protection against potential corrosion.
Benefits of Using Shelves Specifically Designed for Walk-In Storage
Using generic shelving might seem like a cost-saving idea, but investing in shelves specifically designed for walk-in storage offers numerous advantages:
Durability: They're built to last in the specific conditions of coolers and freezers.
Safety: Designed with the weight and size of commercial food items in mind, reducing the risk of accidents.
Efficiency: Tailored designs mean they fit perfectly inside walk-ins, making the most of the available space.
Sanitation: Materials used are often easier to clean and resistant to the growth of bacteria and mold.
In conclusion, the right shelving in your walk-in cooler or freezer can be a game-changer. It can streamline operations, improve safety, and even reduce costs in the long run by minimizing waste and improving efficiency. When setting up or revamping your commercial kitchen, it pays to invest time and thought into choosing the right shelving solutions.
Read our other blog posts that discuss Walk-in Cooler and Walk-in Freezer Shelving Solutions:
- Shelving Case Study - TJ's Craft Beers
- A Meat Shop Owner's Guide to Reviewing, Selecting and Installing Walk-in Coolers and Freezers.
- The Benefits of Epoxy Wire Shelving
- How Hospitals Benefit from Specialized Walk-In Freezer and Cooler Shelving
Ready to Buy?
- Check out our page on Walk-In Cooler and Walk-In Freezer Shelving and take advantage of our low price guarantee and free shipping.
- View Polymer Shelving
- View Stainless Steel Shelving
- View Epoxy Coated Wire Shelving