10 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Fridge or Display Unit

Before purchasing a product it’s always useful to know what you’re exactly buying, especially when it comes to expensive products like restaurant equipment and fridges. Here are 10 factors to consider…

DISPLAY

Display gives you your viewing space, your product range for everyone to see, and it’s important to assess whether it’s more efficient for your store to have a clear display (to see inside), or preference a solid door for sturdiness.

If it’s for customers, clear display is the way to go, but if it’s for staff/stock purposes then either option is a great investment.

MATERIAL

At Federal Hospitality Equipment the vast majority of our refrigeration and display equipment is comprised of sturdy stainless steel material, for peace of mind and longevity.

However, not all of our units are built this way, especially within the interior compartments. Knowing what your product is comprised of will provide you with the best quality reassurance.

SIZE

Size is important for your commercial kitchens. Kitchen spaces aren’t the biggest in terms of open space and free movement, so prioritising your space is vital.

Planning out your working space and equipment placement enables your kitchen operations to run much more smoothly.

USE

What are you using your unit for? What is the purpose of it? Why are you desiring to choose one particular fridge over another?

Often questioning purpose is a good way to whittle down the options.

COST

How much are you willing to spend? Analysing your budget is possibly the biggest priority while building your establishment, as money can be scarce.

If money is an issue then perhaps an economic unit is the way to go, but if you’ve set aside plenty of funds for equipment then you may want to consider a more innovative and advanced alternative.

BRANDS

FED services and imports stock from a huge variety of leading brands. We stock only the best brands within the restaurant equipment business, but some brands are more efficient in certain aspects than others.

Find out who supplies the best products suited to your needs and buy with reassurance.

 ACCESSORIES/FUNCTIONS

What extra accessories and functions does your display or fridge come with?

How does it compare with other units currently on sale?

Having a model with extra features or accessories can give you a subtle leg-up in the competition.

 SPACE

Think about how much stock you’ll need to fit inside your fridge or storage unit. If you’re in need of a freezer with ample storage space, chest freezers in NZ are a great option to explore.

If you’re only a small business or café a small cabinet might be your most cost effective choice, but if you’re a giant restaurant or chain catering to a large customer base then the larger models would be a better match.

ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility to your fridge or unit can save time and ease the pressure on your staff during the fast-paced operations of your commercial kitchen.

It also provides convenience to your customers looking to purchase a product within your store.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A vastly overlooked factor, checking the energy efficiency of the machine you intend to purchase is highly vital.

Energy efficiency determines how much power your product will drain, and how much of a cost it’ll be to your restaurant/café.

Choosing an energy efficient model may be slightly more expensive, but it’ll prove to be a much more financially beneficial decision for the long haul.

If you’re interested in exploring a range of other products to suit your commercial kitchen needs, be sure to check out Federal Hospitality Equipment’s extensive selection of refrigeration, bain marie display, and cooking equipment like ovens. With a variety of brands, sizes, and functions to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your business.