Buyer's Guide for Walk-In Cooler & Freezer

Walk-in Cooler

• Generally, keeps a constant temperature of or around 38 deg F.

• Commonly used for cooling of produce, dairy, beverages and meats that will soon be used.

Walk-in Freezer

• Generally, keeps a constant temperature of or below -10° F.

• Commonly used for freezing of meats, ice cream, and items with a longer shelf-life.

TIPS:
Storing Fresh Produce: Walk-in coolers should maintain a holding temperature of 41° F, or less, but temperatures inside a cooler can range from colder (32 °F) to warmer (41 °F), depending on the location. Inside, cooler much colder temperatures are found in the back, and warmer temperatures in the front near the door. So, some produce should be stored at warmer temperatures near the door for best quality. Location of fruits and vegetables is important, because fruits, in general, produce ethylene gas, which fosters natural ripening, but it also can cause most vegetables and a few non-ethylene producing fruits to deteriorate more quickly, and develop undesirable characteristics. Ideally, ethylene-producing fruits should be stored in the refrigerator as far from ethylene-sensitive fruits and vegetables as possible.

TIPS:
Keep your freezer at zero degrees (0°) or below to maintain the quality of frozen foods. Most foods will maintain good quality longer if the freezer temperature is -10 to -20°F. At temperatures between 0 and 32°F, food deteriorates more rapidly. Fluctuating temperatures, such as those in self-defrosting freezers, also may damage food quality. Do not plan to store frozen foods for the maximum suggested time if your freezing unit cannot maintain zero-degree temperatures. Even foods stored properly will lose color, texture, flavor and nutritional quality but will not cause food-borne illness. Freezer temperatures, however, do not destroy pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms, which will begin growing under warmer temperature conditions. When frozen foods are thawed at room temperature, the surface of the food warms enough for microorganisms to grow and multiply

Location: Indoor vs Outdoor

When it comes to choosing the right location for your walk-in cooler or freezer, being inside or outside, this is a very important decision. Because once your walk-in cooler or freezer is built & installed, it will be a very big hassle and waste of money to change your mind on the location. So before making this decision call Jean’s Restaurant Supply so we can consult you on the many considerations you need to take into account before making your decision. Here are just a few things to consider:

Space Required – Whether it is inside or outside, you need to account on the amount of space needed for a walk-in. If your walk-in is inside, you’ll need at least (6”) six inches airspace above and (2”) two inches on all sides for airflow. If an indoor condensing unit is installed, it needs to be accessible for cleaning and repairs, as well as plenty of airspace for ventilation. A hatch above the walk-in’s ceiling is at times requested for access. You may consider an outdoor walk-in if your indoor space is limited, or if you’d like room to grow in the future. 

Examples of some indoor and outdoor walk-ins installed by Jean's Restaurant Supply:

Condensing Unit Location – Having a walk‑in cooler or freezer indoors with the condenser mounted on top can be loud and may disrupt your restaurant’s ambiance. Some self‑contained units are quieter, but they still release heat into the space, which works against your building’s cooling system.
In most cases, a remote refrigeration setup is the better choice. With a remote unit, the condenser can be installed outside even if the walk‑in is inside. This keeps the equipment away from heat sources such as vents, fryers, and ovens, and it also helps prevent grease and debris from building up on the unit.

Butted vs Freestanding – A freestanding walk‑in is a standalone structure with a door that opens to the outside. Because it is exposed, the door should be equipped with proper locks to reduce the risk of theft.
A butted walk‑in, on the other hand, has its door opening inside the building. Its wall panels are installed directly against one or more sides of the existing structure. Butted walk‑ins require a drip cap so the door and hardware are protected and last longer, since they are not exposed to outdoor weather.

Wear & Tear – Panels, gaskets, and door hardware are the components most likely to be damaged when exposed to the elements. This can create air leaks, which may cause icing inside the walk‑in and moisture buildup within the panels. Most panels are made from rust‑resistant metals, but deep scratches can still allow rust to form. The insulation inside the panels will also wear out more quickly when exposed to moisture, extreme heat, or extreme cold.

Before deciding between an indoor or outdoor walk-in cooler or freezer, be sure to consult with an expert and choose carefully.

How to Size a Walk-In

There is no single formula, chart, or universal rule that determines the exact size of a walk‑in cooler or freezer a business needs, either for current operations or future growth. Several factors should be considered, including food volume during peak seasons and the layout of the walk‑in space, such as shelving, dead zones, and walking clearance.
There are many variables involved, but here are a few basic guidelines to help you get started...

Sizing the space and capacity of a walk‑in depends on several key factors:

• The total weight of food that needs to be stored during peak hours.

• The amount of available space, whether indoors or outdoors, including ceiling height for indoor installations.

• The additional storage capacity you need right now.

• The extra space you expect to need over the next several years as your business grows.

A simple rule of thumb is that 1 cubic foot of walk‑in space can hold roughly 30 pounds of food.

Cooler or Freezer?

Do you need a cooler, a freezer, or a combination of both? This is the first and most important decision to make. While the physical size difference between the two is relative to your needs, it has a major impact on your selection. Freezers require larger, more powerful refrigeration systems. Combination Walk In Coolers & Freezers can share a common interior wall with the entrance to the walk in freezer from inside the walk in cooler. This is a great space saver and reduced the amount of hot ambient air entering the freezer.

Floor or No Floor?

All walk‑in freezers require insulated flooring, while insulated floors for walk‑in coolers are optional in some cases. In new construction, the floor can be recessed so the walk‑in sits flush with the finished surface, or it can be replaced with an insulated concrete slab.

Flooring - The floor is an important factor when you are installing a walk-in cooler or freezer. You can purchase a walk-in with or without an insulated built-in flooring. This is ideal because they are well insulated for better energy-efficiency. Outdoor walk-ins usually come with floors include, because they are mounted on a concrete slab which will absorb heat from the sun, make it difficult to maintain its holding temperature.

We recommend flooring for all walk-ins for added insulation and efficiency.

Ground and floors MUST BE LEVEL to install any walk-in!

Price Difference

Several factors contribute to the price differences between walk-in coolers and freezers. There are many manufacturers to choose from, granted they all provide similar product but at a difference price range and quality of product, Also the different panel materials you want to install depending on the type of insulation, panel, and metal skin type will affects the price. Lastly, the physical size of the walk-in width, length and height is another factor that affects the price.

Various Brands of Walk-In Manufactures 

Walk-in Physical Size: Width, Length & Height

Various Hardware

Contact our Design Team for free Consultation Email: Brios@jeansrs.com

Operating Cost...

You may be wondering, how much it is all going to cost to operate a new walk-in cooler or freezer once it has been installed?

Estimates for Standard Sized Walk-ins - To give you an idea on the cost to operate a walk-in cooler or freezer, based on the national average of $0.1071 per kilowatt, review the estimated monthly cost chart below: 

 To determine your actual operating cost, below are various condition to account.

• The type of insulation and thickness.

• Energy efficiency of the condenser unit.

• External temperature around the walk-in

• Location of the walk-in; being indoor or outdoor.

• The amount and frequency products needing to be pull-down to hold temperature.

• Amount of traffic going in and out.

• The condition of the walk-in.

• Maintenance and up-keep of evaporator and condenser unit

• Cost of electricity.

These are just a few to name, if you would need a more accurate energy cost, contact a licensed mechanical engineer who can design and calculate your system.

Installation Requirements

To avoid any injury or damage while installing the walk-in Jean’s recommends wearing protective eye wear, hard hat, gloves and steel toe shoes. Also use ergonomic lifting and handling methods to prevent back injuries while lifting panels or equipment. All electrical wiring and circuity must be conducted by a licensed and bonded electrician. Any refrigeration handling freon must be conducted by a licensed refrigeration technician. It is advisable to never work alone, always have another person to help or observe in case of an emergency. 

Jean’s Restaurant Supply will help with any question or instruction to properly install your walk-in cooler or freezer.

At Jean’s Restaurant Supply we understand the importance of investing in large scale commercial refrigeration and want to help you in choosing the right walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer. If you have any questions regarding your walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer, contact us and we will be happy to help you. Custom sizing is available.