How to Choose the Best Walk-In Cooler or Freezer

Types of Walk-In Coolers

There are two basic types of walk-ins: prefabricated and built-in. This guide will focus on prefabricated units, but we first wanted to provide some information about these two styles so you can evaluate which is best for your business. We'll also cover outdoor walk-ins, which can be made in either of the two styles but require some specialized considerations.

1. Prefabricated Walk-Ins

Prefabricated walk-in coolers are a popular choice for businesses looking for a convenient and efficient cooling solution. They're built from pre-made urethane panels that are designed to provide excellent insulation to keep your products at the optimal temperature. Prefabricated walk-in coolers usually come in set layouts and sizes, making it easier for you to choose the right option for your space. This standardized approach can save you time and effort in the selection process.

With their simple design and pre-made panels, prefabricated walk-in coolers can be assembled in a relatively short amount of time, allowing you to start using them sooner. Additionally, prefabricated walk-in coolers are easy to expand. If your business grows and you need more storage space, you can easily add to your existing cooler by purchasing additional panels and components. Whether you are moving to a new location or reconfiguring your space, these coolers can be disassembled and reassembled with minimal hassle.

2. Built-In Walk-Ins

Built-in walk-in coolers are a popular choice for businesses that require a customized cooling solution. These walk-in coolers are typically constructed with insulation covered by structural tiles on the walls and floors, providing excellent temperature retention and energy efficiency. One of the key advantages of built-in walk-in coolers is their ability to be tailored to your exact specifications. This customization allows you to design a cooling space that perfectly fits your business's needs and layout.

However, it's important to note that built-in walk-in coolers are not easily moved or changed once installed. This permanence can be a limitation for businesses that anticipate future layout changes or relocation. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the long-term needs of your business when opting for a built-in walk-in cooler.

3. Outdoor Walk-Ins

While outdoor walk-ins can either be built-in or prefabricated, they are not interchangeable with indoor walk-ins. Outdoor walk-ins need rainproof roofs to prevent water from leaking into the box. This can be as simple as metal flashing installed over the roof seam or as extensive as a polyvinyl roof system with connectors and a rain hood over the door.

For areas with freezing winters, the unit may require a winterizing kit. This will include a compressor cover, a heater to warm the oil in the compressor for proper circulation, and various other components to help your cooler operate properly in freezing conditions. You may choose to purchase an interior heater kit that will keep refrigerated items from freezing when the ambient outdoor temperature is consistently below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Parts of a Walk-In Cooler

At its simplest, a prefabricated walk-in cooler is a large insulated box with a cooling system. Every manufacturer has unique design features and advantages but they all have the same core components: the panels, the floor, the door, and the refrigeration system.

1. Panels

The panels are what help your walk-in stay cold and run efficiently. They consist of insulation foam sandwiched between thin metal sheets, sometimes called the "skin". Here are some fast facts about walk-in panels:

• Price Point: Typically higher costs mean increased durability and corrosion resistance.
• Most Affordable Panels: Aluminum panels tend to offer the lowest price point and all-around good corrosion resistance.
• Highest Quality Panels: Stainless steel panels usually come in at the highest price point and offer the best corrosion resistance.
• Mid-Range Panel Materials: Galvanized steel, aluminum-coated steel, painted steel, and other metals and coatings tend to fall somewhere in between the price and quality points of aluminum and stainless steel panels.
• Embossed Panels: Embossed patterns provide additional strength and reduce the visibility of wear and tear.
• Insulation Considerations: Extruded polystyrene and polyurethane are the most common insulation materials. Both are great insulators, but extruded polystyrene is more resistant to moisture and has a higher structural strength than polyurethane. It also retains more of its insulating capacity (or the R-rating) over its life, whereas polyurethane will lose more of this capacity over time.

2. Floors

You have a choice to order a walk-in with or without a floor included. Ultimately which one you go with depends on how you intend to use the unit and the layout of your space. Use the following information to help guide your decision:

• Included Flooring Benefits: Most included floors are made from smooth aluminum, which is good for general use. These are typically easier to install than a custom floor.
• Floorless Benefits: If you'll be using fully loaded transport carts, heavy shelving units, or otherwise subjecting the floor to heavy loads frequently, you should consider getting a floorless model and installing a ground-contact concrete floor to stand up to these heavier loads.

• Insulated Flooring Benefits: If your walk-in will be located above a basement or in a warm, uninsulated area you will need insulated flooring to keep hot air out and lock cold air in. This reduces strain on your compressor and prevents condensation that can damage the box and create a slipping hazard.

3. Walk-In Cooler Doors

The door is the most used part of your walk-in, and like the other parts of the unit, you may have several options available. Learn more about walk-in cooler doors:

• Maintaining Door Seal: The door receives a lot of abuse as busy employees are understandably more focused on filling orders than the walk-in door. Investing in a unit with high-quality hinges and latches, and durable gaskets will help maintain the door seal for energy efficiency.
• Self-Closing Doors: A self-closing door mechanism is also a good investment as it ensures the walk-in can't be left open accidentally, making it work harder to maintain temperature in the best-case scenario, and causing spoiled product and refrigeration system damage in the worst case.
• Door Features: Some doors may include a small window to see the interior of the unit, or locks to secure food after hours.

Additional Parts and Tools You May Need

Once your cooler is installed, there are still many items you'll need to get it ready for use. To maintain your cooler and ensure that it continues to work properly, we offer everything from cleaning solutions to refrigeration thermometers. And don't forget about shelving and racks! Check out our assortment of walk-in accessories to make sure that you have everything you need once your cooler is up and running.

• Ramps: Will you be rolling carts or pan racks into your new cooler? You may need a ramp to get heavily laden carts over the threshold.
• Pressure Relief Valves: Some municipalities require that a pressure relief valve be purchased with a walk-in. This is a device that prevents the refrigerant from exceeding safe pressure limits. Before making a purchase, you'll want to check your local regulations to see if this applies to you.
• Refrigeration Systems: You have the option to purchase just the walk-in cooler box or just the refrigeration system. If you want to put together a customized combination of box and refrigeration system or replace a broken component, we can help you do just that.
• Shelving: Once your cooler is installed, you'll need shelving to organize and prep it for safe, sanitary food storage. FDA codes require food to be kept away from the walls and at least 6" off the floor. If you are shopping for shelving systems or dunnage racks, our Regency green epoxy or black epoxy wire shelving can help you store food safely so you'll ace your health inspections.
• Refrigerator/Freezer Thermometers: Though exterior temperature displays are a great way to get a quick picture of how the unit is performing, placing refrigerator or freezer thermometers strategically inside your cooler will help you make sure that proper temperatures are maintained throughout the entire box.
• Non-Skid Tape: Smooth aluminum or concrete floors can become slippery in a damp environment. Using strips of non-skid tape can prevent accidents and ensure that your employees stay safe while stocking supplies or retrieving food from the cooler.
• Strip Doors: Adding interior strip doors to any cooler can help maintain energy efficiency and prevent pests from getting inside! When you need to leave your cooler door open for extended periods, to load or unload food, for example, a strip door helps keep cold air in while still allowing workers and carts to easily pass in and out of the cooler.

How to Clean, Sanitize, and Maintain Your Walk-in

Keeping your walk-in clean and sanitized not only upholds food safety standards, it helps preserve the integrity of your equipment. Follow these tips to keep your walk-in cooler or freezer in good condition.

• Use an approved cleaning solution like 4 oz. of bleach in a gallon of water or Arctic Kleen freezer cleaner.
• Follow the manufacturer's directions when cleaning to achieve the best results.
• Keep the door in good condition to maintain the unit's energy efficiency and extend the life of the door and the gaskets.
• If any of the gaskets start to wear out, replacing them is a relatively inexpensive way to keep your cooler in top condition.
• Keep the condenser coil clean. Clogged condenser coils put additional strain on the compressor and can cause the refrigeration system to give out.
• Mildew and bacteria can grow on the walls, ceiling, and floor inside a walk-in cooler or freezer, so regularly wipe down all surfaces to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms.
• Avoid using corrosive chemicals and high-pressure hoses as these can damage the metal skins on the panels.