Take 5 – Refrigerators

Refrigeration is one of the most important pieces of kit in a professional kitchen. As we rely more than ever on fresh produce, we require increased refrigeration space so smaller footprint models with greater capacity have been developed. Unlike other kitchen equipment, refrigerators must be kept switched on 365 days a year so energy efficiency is a key driver when buying new cooling. All new models must conform with EU legislation and are more energy-conscious than their predecessors. This week we showcase five models, each of which answers specific kitchen requirements.

DRAWER COMBO
Adande VCS2/CW

We say This is worth looking at for its flexibility alone. The top drawer is a chiller while the bottom drawer is a freezer - or vice versa. It is ideal for prep counters where chilled or frozen ingredients can be loaded ready to hand

Features
â- Drawers can be set independently at temperatures of -22°C to +15°C
â- Claimed to save 40 to 60% in electricity usage over conventional models

Dimensions 1,100mm x 700mm x 900mm

http://www.manitowocfsuk.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Adande - ](http://www.adande.com)
Tel 01502 537135

DUAL OPTION
Delfield P700RF

We say A dual-temperature cabinet offering 700 litres of storage, the P700RF contains both freezer and fridge, with equal areas of storage space (2/1 Gastronorm containers), but within a single cabinet footprint

Features â- Stable doors with reversible door options
â- Removable door gasket helps cleaning
â- 60mm insulation keeps the cold in and running costs down

Dimensions 200mm x 800mm x 2,120mm

[Manitowoc -
Tel 01753 485 900

ALL IN ONE
Gram TWIN U/KP 660 CXG C 4S

We say Combining a universal compartment up top - which can be a meat fridge, dairy fridge or freezer - with a bottom compartment that allows for quick chilling or blast chilling, this good-looking unit has a small footprint

Features â- Free five-year parts and labour warranty
â- -25/+10°C (refrigeration storage); -30/+20°C (quick chill)
â- Energy consumption reduced by up to 75%

Dimensions 815mm x 756mm x 2,150 mm

Gram (UK)
Tel 07775 845021

BIG CAPACITY
Foster Eco Pro G 1350

We say This product is available as a refrigerator or a freezer and is great value for capacity. Energy-saving features have been incorporated to save on running costs, an important consideration in a unit of this size

Features â- Automatic hot-gas defrost system
â- Offers up to 8.6% savings on the product price over its lifetime
â- Running costs are claimed to be 70% cheaper than its predecessor

Dimensions 1,440mm x 800mm x 2,080mm

Foster Refrigerator
Tel 0843 216 8800

QUICK CHILL
Williams WBCF20

We say Cooling hot foods in a fridge already containing chilled food poses a food safety risk so this would be a good supplement to existing refrigeration. It is ideal for cook-chill/cook- freeze operations

Features â- ‘AirSmart' airflow design offers even chilling/freezing
â- Meets HACCP and Food Safety legislation - blast chilling from +90°C to +3°C in 90 minutes and blast freezing from +90°C to -18°C in 240 minutes

Dimensions 707mm x 824mm x 1,290 mm

Williams Refrigeration
Tel 01553 817 000

BUYERS' CHECKLIST

Capacity Always buy refrigeration with bigger capacity than you initially think you need

Space saving Look for large capacity cabinets with small footprints. Also ensure the shelving arrangements offer you flexible storage options

Best value Don't necessarily make a buying decision on the cheapest price. Always look for best value and whether the appliance is fit for purpose

Running costs Super energy efficient units may not be the cheapest but consider the lifetime cost of the appliance

Energy check - The Carbon Trust's Energy Technology List scores commercial refrigeration equipment based on how many kW hours of energy it uses

Savvy tip In-built temperature dials will show the cabinet air temperature but temperature still needs to be checked regularly with a hand-held digital thermometer as a back-up for HACCP purposes