7 tips for choosing a refrigerator and freezer table for a cafe and restaurant

A professional kitchen needs special equipment. Private business owners know that often in a small kitchen cafe, restaurant or the dining room is required to place a lot of necessary appliances, without which proper cooking and food storage is impossible. However, there are some tricks to help optimize the workspace. These are special freezing and refrigerating tables, which Combine food storage and worktop. The range of such equipment has recently expanded significantly. On the one hand, this is good - you can choose a refrigerator or freezer table that will best meet your needs. On the other hand, you have to deal with numerous nuances in order to make the right choice.

No. 1. What is the difference between freezing and refrigerating tables?

Each of us understands the purpose of refrigeration equipment. Typically, refrigerators are made in the form of a cabinet, but for the kitchens of catering establishments there is another variation - these are freezer tables, which additionally also serve as a work surface. Convenient and economical.

The difference between freezing and refrigerating tables consists in the maintained temperature condition:

• refrigerator table Designed for short-term storage of fresh or chilled products. It maintains a temperature in the range of -2 ... + 10⁰C. For a long time in such equipment you can save drinks, confectionery, groceries and some other types of products, subject to the necessary temperature conditions;
• freezer table (also low temperature) allows you to maintain lower temperatures, up to -12⁰C and even -18⁰C, suitable for storing convenience foods, frozen foods, ice cream, etc.

Externally, freezing and refrigerating tables are no different. As for pricing, refrigerated tables are cheaper on average, but much depends on the size, equipment and type of surface. The name of the manufacturer is also important: if you need to buy a freezer table inexpensively, pay attention to the products of domestic companies, which in quality have already caught up with the products of foreign manufacturers.

No. 2. The main types of refrigerated tables

This type of equipment can be classified according to various criteria. So, for example, depending on the installation location, the tables are divided into wall and island. The most common is considered destination classification. Freezing tables, as a rule, are issued universal - these are their technical features.

Refrigerated tables can be of the following types:

• universal;
• saladette, intended for storage of salads, are distinguished by the presence of special cooled baths;
• for pizza. They may also have special containers for fillings and toppings; they differ by the presence of a cooled surface.

No. 3. Material of execution

The outer case of refrigerated and freezer tables is in most cases made of metal; plastic-coated models are very rare. There are many more options for the worktop:

• stainless steel - The most popular and versatile option. Steel tolerates mechanical influences, temperature extremes, high humidity, it is easy to care for and hygienic. On such countertop you can safely put hot dishes, it can be washed with fairly aggressive cleaning and disinfecting agents;
• stone surface. Usually with granite pizza tables make a cooled surface. The dough on such a countertop is very easy to roll and does not stick. Recall that such tables can be equipped with a display case for toppings, such equipment can be seen in some pizzerias;
• polypropylene countertop - A very convenient option that allows you to carry out all operations with products directly on the work surface, without the use of special boards. Polypropylene, which is used in this case, is very durable, hygienic, does not absorb odors, and is easy to clean.

Many manufacturers also offer refrigerated tables with glass doors. These are the so-called display casesthat are used in cafes, pizzerias and shops.

Number 4. Dimensions and filling

The size and layout of the fridge / freezer table depends on the needs of the particular kitchen. Standard equipment height - 80-85 cm, which allows the cook to conveniently prepare meals. Standard width - 60 and 70 cm, tables with a width of 80 cm are less common. Tables with a width of 70 cm (700 mm) are called gastronormized. This is the most popular format for standard containers.

The length of the tables can vary within wider limits. Two, three and four-door tables are available. Sometimes instead of the usual doors there may be drawers, but in this case the price of the device rises.

Inner space the refrigerator / freezer table is divided into several chambers and filled, as a rule, with shelves-grates or trays. They hide behind deaf or glass swing doors or drawers. It will be convenient for cooks to store portioned products and dough in drawers, and to place products for displaying them behind glazed doors.

The number of sections and trays, their location can vary greatly from model to model - here everyone chooses for himself. Some tables provide the ability to change the distance between the shelves. There is also a function of automatically closing doors - a similar solution will greatly simplify the life of cooks.

No. 5. Temperature and power consumption

When choosing a refrigerator and freezer, pay attention to the following parameters:

• temperature range. Naturally, it should initially be determined for which type of products the equipment will be used for storage, then it will be easy to make the right choice;
• Temperature regulator there is in each refrigerator table, only the accuracy of adjustment can be different, or rather the step. It is better to take a model with a minimum step - it will allow you to create strictly defined temperature conditions for the storage of products;
• climate class. Like a regular household refrigerator, the freezer / refrigerator table is designed to operate under certain conditions. The manufacturer indicates the range of acceptable external temperatures. If the equipment will be in a hot shop, where a sufficiently high temperature is always maintained, it is better to take a table designed for use in the so-called "Tropical conditions", at temperatures above +40⁰FROM;
• energy class. Almost all modern equipment is energy-efficient, but still, when choosing, you should pay attention to the features of thermal insulation. Of great importance are the controllers that monitor the temperature inside the chamber and outside, respond to the frequency of door opening and allow you to maintain optimal temperature conditions;
• cooling system. As a rule, all professional refrigeration equipment uses a dynamic cooling system, i.e. products are blown with cold air, due to which it is possible to quickly restore the temperature regime, even with frequent door openings. It is better not to take equipment with a static cooling system in the kitchen of a catering establishment.

In addition, pay attention to the wall thickness of the table: the more, the better the thermal insulation and less passive heat loss.

No. 6. What else needs to be considered?

When buying a refrigerator or freezer, pay attention to the following nuances:

• convenience and reliability. For more comfortable work, the table is equipped with a control panel and various indicators. They should be as clear and easy to manage. It is better that all metal corners are rounded - this reduces the risk of rushing into injuries. For convenience, some models have a high side on one side of the countertop;
• automatic defrost - not the first necessity, but in conditions of constant workload of the kitchen it will be a significant plus, as it will simplify the life of cooks and make the process of storage and preparation continuous;
• refrigerant. Without going into technical features, we note that the refrigerant should be as productive and minimally harmful to the environment. Today, as a rule, R600, R290, as well as R404a, R134a are used, all of them are absolutely safe for the ozone layer;
• compressor It should be, on the one hand, powerful enough, and on the other, not too noisy. A kind of middle ground.

In order for the equipment to serve you as long as possible, you should adhere to simple operating rules. The main thing - do not overload the refrigeration tankotherwise, it will be difficult to circulate cold air, which can lead to breakdowns, and the lower the compressor power, the higher the probability of breakdown. Hot dishes cannot be put on the refrigerated table - for quick cooling there is a separate type of equipment, these are shock freezing devices. Another enemy of refrigeration equipment is high humidity, so all liquids and products with a high content must be stored in sealed containers.

Number 7. Large manufacturers of refrigerating and freezing tables

The name of the manufacturer is a guarantee of reliability. It is clear that a large company aimed at creating a positive image and many years of work in the market will not produce a low-grade product. On the contrary, large companies are constantly updating their model lines, introducing innovations, providing guarantees and offering after-sales service.

The largest and most reliable manufacturers of refrigerated and freezer tables include:

• Electrolux - An Italian company that offers several lines of refrigerated tables in different price segments. The equipment of the manufacturer is appreciated all over the world, its quality is always at a high level, therefore the prices are appropriate;
• Hackman - A Finnish company that pays attention to every little thing. Products are of high quality performance of all parts, environmental friendliness, the presence of convenient digital control panels and high prices;
• Fagor - A Spanish company, which is distinguished by a wide range of products and constant updates of the line. The manufacturer offers tables of different widths and equipment, with different types of surfaces and in different price categories;
• Polair - A large Russian company that specializes in the production of professional refrigeration equipment. Its products - the optimal balance of price / quality;
• Eqta - Another domestic manufacturer, offers a wide range of refrigeration and freezer tables of various sizes. The company uses advanced technologies in production, the quality of products is not inferior to foreign counterparts, but costs less;
• among domestic companies it is also worth highlighting Hicold, KAYMAN, Cryspi.

Probably, the fact that the success of any catering establishment depends on the selection of refrigeration equipment needs no explanation. It is worth starting the purchase when it is decided what size the table should be, what products will be stored there, and the work surface will be used to prepare what dishes.