Refrigerated Deli Cases and Bakery Cases

Bakery Case and Deli Case Refrigeration Types

These types of display cases often look very similar, so how do you know which one is right for you?

Refrigerated display cases like these use two basic types of refrigeration, forced air, or gravity coil. Which one is best for you depends on what you want to display in the case.

Forced Air

systems as their name implies, rely on fans to circulate cold air throughout the cabinet to keep what's inside cool. Because of this air movement, the products you are displaying can dry out if they aren't covered, or left in the case too long. Forced air cabinets are most often used for bakery products, prepackaged products, and some deli applications. They are the most common type. Items on our site that use this method are mainly called "Refrigerated Bakery Display Cases" or a similar variation of that.

Gravity Coil

refrigeration systems boast a refrigeration coil at the top of the cabinet that allows the cool air to "drop" down over the food. These types of cabinets are best for raw meat, seafood, and other deli products where you don't want the drying effect of constantly circulating air. Gravity coil cases tend to be less expensive than forced air cases. On our site, the items we carry that use this type of refrigeration are called "Refrigerated Deli Case".

Another way to think of it is to ask yourself:

Features and Options to Consider

Once you've decided which type of case (bakery or deli) is right for you, you will want to start narrowing down your choices. Some of the features we're discussing might not come standard with the case you are ordering, but one of our friendly Customer Solutions Specialists would be happy to help you order exactly what you're looking for!

Size:

Don't think of size just in terms of how much floor space you have to put a case. You might have room for a large case, but if the majority of products you want to display have a short shelf life and/or a quick turnaround time, you can often use a smaller case and save space, energy and money!

Some manufacturers offer "low profile" versions of their cases, which bring all the features and benefits of their larger siblings in a smaller package, which is ideal for locations like convenience stores or other places where space is a concern.

It's also important to look carefully at the Specification Sheet of the product you are interested in, to make sure you can meet the clearance requirements as far as how much clearance is needed for intake and exhaust air. Since many of these cases are also quite large, you also want to look at the measurements carefully to make sure the case will fit through your doorway!

Shelving:

Cases that utilized tiered shelving help maximize the visibility of all products, no matter what shelf they are on, because they bring the products closer to the front of the case.

Glass shelves allow light to filter throughout the display, and gives you more flexible display options compared to wire shelving. Your food will appear to be "floating" and look great too!

Style:

Many manufacturers offer both straight glass styles as well as curved glass models. For example, True's TSID series of deli cases boasts front glass that's slanted at a 13 degree angle to minimize the reflection from overhead lighting. Their TCGG series includes similarly sized models with a curved glass front, if you prefer that look for your business.

Lighting:

Bakery cases and deli cases boast lighted interiors to help make your products look their best. Depending on the model, some cases use specialized fluorescent bulbs that enhance certain colors or types of products, like red meat or pastries. Often, specialized or additional interior lighting is an option. Some models have the lighting in the top, while others may have shelf-mounted lighting.

Colors, End Panels, and Other Features to Consider: