No matter what type of food you serve, virtually all food trucks need some type of refrigerator to store food. As you start to shop around, you will notice just how many different types of commercial-grade refrigerators are available — and it can be overwhelming.
Food truck refrigerators come in a variety of types, sizes, and functionalities. So before you make a purchase, it’s important to understand what the differences are so you can make the right decision. This article will analyze some of the most common types and explain the benefits and uses of each refrigerator.
Choosing a Food Truck Refrigerator
Finding the ideal food truck refrigerator is different from finding the perfect refrigerator for a restaurant. If you are looking for commercial-grade restaurant refrigerators on the market, you’ll find a wide variety of high-quality options. However, refrigerators and freezers built to survive the rigors of a food truck company are more difficult to come by. Here are some of the most common types of refrigerators for a food truck.
1. Refrigerators With Reach-In Doors
Reach-In refrigerators are identical to standard household refrigerators. The only distinction is that they include additional shelves due to their commercial design. They use less space and are frequently available in under-counter configurations.
How They Benefit:
These refrigerators are ideal for mobile trucks that require refrigeration, like a vegan food truck or a mobile grocery store.
2. Refrigerators Beneath The Counter
Due to the limited space available within a food truck, under-counter refrigeration units might be employed as primary or secondary refrigeration units. However, before purchasing one of these refrigerators, determine the area in which you will install the refrigerator or freezer. Depending on the model’s design, you may require clearance for proper ventilation.
Why You Need One:
These refrigerators appear expressly to fit beneath countertops, and some are not ideal for use as prep space or for storing equipment above them. Some under-counter refrigerators feature a heavy-duty workbench surface and may be placed with an extra backsplash adapter, thereby converting them into worktop refrigerators.
3. Refrigerators For Countertops
While they may be the same height as an under-counter refrigerator, worktop models are distinguished by their design, including a convenient space for cutting and preparing food. Specific models include a rear splash to shield food debris or particles from the wall.
Why Use Them:
Because it is similar to under-counter refrigerators, it is essential to check the weight-bearing specification of the model you are considering purchasing. Those equipped to hold the weight above you can utilize them safely as a worktop.
4. Pizza Preparation Table
A pizza prep table comprises a cutting board on top and a refrigerator compartment beneath it. The cutting board makes it possible to assemble and prepare pizzas and sandwiches. They are available in single, double, triple, or quadruple pieces. The refrigerator compartment operates similarly to a drawer but maintains cooled or refrigerated temperatures to keep food items fresh and wet.
You Guessed It:
These are ideal for food trucks that specialize in pizza and sandwiches.
5. Preparation Tables For Salads or Sandwiches
Like a pizza prep table, a salad or sandwich prep table features a flatter and thinner chopping board with a chilled compartment beneath. Their primary distinction from a pizza prep table is the absence of elevated rails.
Get Yourself One For:
These stainless steel refrigerators are ideal for preparing fresh subs, salads, and sandwiches.
Choosing the Right Food Refrigerator
Choosing the best refrigerator for your food truck business can significantly impact the quality of the food served and the running of your endeavor. However, not all refrigerators are created equal, and selecting the proper one for your business is critical. What matters is that you examine your menu, money, ingredients, and food preparation requirements.
Contact us today for help selecting the best food truck refrigerators and equipment for your mobile food business.
