Choosing commercial refrigerators for schools

With the weather finally hotting up, we look at choosing commercial refrigerators for schools – the designs on offer and the key tech specs to consider.

Tonia
Author
Tonia
Published: June 7, 2021

Commercial refrigerators are a vital piece of equipment for schools. With scores of hungry mouths to feed in the canteen at lunchtime, you need fridges that are up to the job! In this article, we look at the key factors to think about when choosing commercial refrigerators for schools – to ensure you select the right model for your needs!

Why choosing the right commercial refrigerator is important

A commercial refrigerator is one of the most-used items in any professional kitchen. It therefore needs to be robust enough to cope with frequent use and to withstand hot conditions. It also needs to be reliable, as nobody wants to see vast supplies of food going to waste if the appliance fails or breaks down!

What to consider when choosing commercial refrigerators for schools

There are many factors to think about when choosing the right appliance for your school kitchen. Let’s take a look at the different types of fridges you can choose from, and the advantages offered by each:

Upright refrigerators:

These tend to be one of the most common types of commercial refrigerators. They offer a lot of internal capacity and can also fit into a relatively small space due to their design. Their design also means you can locate them conveniently next to food prep counters, for easy access!

Undercounter refrigerators:

These fridges are compact in design and can be squeezed into the smallest of spaces! Their small size also makes them economical to run, compared to larger models. They are a good option as an overspill or back-up refrigeration space.

Counter refrigerators:

Counter fridges are designed to offer refrigeration and worktop space in one appliance. They’re usually made from highly durable stainless steel, offering a sturdy surface to prepare food on or to accommodate counter-top appliances.

Key tech specs for commercial refrigerators

Aside from design, there are several technical factors to consider when choosing the right fridge for your school. These include:

  • Capacity: Think carefully about the capacity you need for your commercial refrigerator and the available space that you have in your kitchen. If you choose a fridge that’s too big, it will ultimately push up your running costs – so bear this in mind before deciding!
  • Size: Pay attention to your appliance’s dimensions. Carefully measure the space you have and allow some extra room at the back and to the sides of the appliance to prevent overheating.
  • Running costs: Most commercial fridges come with an accompanying energy efficiency rating. Opting for an energy-efficient appliance will drive your running costs down, so be sure to factor this in.
  • Climate Class rating: Make sure your commercial refrigerator has a suitable Climate Class rating for your kitchen environment. Climate Class 4 can generally cope with reasonably high temperatures, but if your kitchen is consistently operating with a very high ambient temperature, you may need a Climate Class 5 appliance.

At Utility Rentals, we understand that choosing the right commercial refrigerator for your school is quite an investment! That’s why we offer our commercial fridges via our flexible leasing agreements. This will allow you to get the appliance with the right spec for your kitchen, whilst spreading the cost over a series of manageable fixed payments. We’ll disconnect and remove your unwanted appliances, and professionally install your new one. We also offer an extended warranty on our commercial refrigerators, for additional peace of mind.

If you’d like to upgrade your school’s commercial refrigeration equipment, talk to our friendly team!

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