Fresh meat refrigerator

Glass Door Merchandiser If your establishment sells bottled or canned beverages, a glass door merchandiser is a key piece of equipment. Similar to reach-ins, these models have glass doors for that allow merchandise to catch the eye of passing customers. They're also built with stylish exteriors and a space on top for banner indicating what type of beverage or food can be found inside. Many different sizes of glass door coolers are available, including three-section models up to 72 wide. Countertop models are much smaller and only store a handful of items. These compact coolers are perfect for convenience stores that are looking to install a merchandiser near the check-out line. Pass-thru models have glass doors on either side to allow staff to easily keep first-in, first-out inventory.Before you start shopping for a glass door cooler, there are a few things you need to take note of. First, decide exactly what items you'll be storing and how much of each; this will determine the number of sections you need your new box to have. Next, think about where in your building your glass door coolers will be installed to help you determine the type of doors you want and the best compressor location. Number of Sections Interior space is sometimes measured in terms of cubic feet, but because you can't typically use up every single cubic foot, it's better to think in terms of how many shelves you need. These units usually include four shelves per section, with the option to buy more if needed. Err on the side of too big if you're unsure of how many sections you need. An overfilled glass door merchandiser will be unable to maintain safe temperatures and might even break down. It also won't keep your drinks and other items at temperatures customers expect them to be. Choosing a Door Type Glass door cooler doors come in two basic designs: swinging and sliding. Swinging doors are mounted on hinges and swing outward, like on a classic reach-in box. Some models with swinging doors include the option to reverse the hinges so the doors will open in the opposite direction it that better fits the flow of foot traffic in your store. In terms of energy efficiency, swinging doors might be a better choice because they're less likely to be left open and waste energy. Most are self-closing and will form a positive seal each time they close. Sliding doors, available on two section models and larger, are mounted on rails and slide horizontally. Sliding doors can conserve space in narrow aisles and are somewhat easier to open, providing a more comfortable shopping experience. The rails that sliding doors sit on tend to become worn over time and let cold air escape, decreasing the unit's energy efficiency. Additionally, customers may not tightly close the doors and even the automatic closing mechanism that some units include can be worn out to the point where the doors still sit open. Shelving Types The standard shelving in a glass door merchandiser is made of steel and coated in plastic, either PVC or epoxy, to help it resist rusting and make them easier to clean. This type of shelving is durable and will hold up to regular use, but over time the coating can become worn, exposing the metal and leading to rust and unsanitary conditions, so they will periodically need to be replaced. A longer-lasting alternative to coated shelving is stainless steel. Solid stainless steel comes at a higher price, but will last longer without having to be replaced. Compressor Location The compressor is a key component in the refrigeration process, and it's critical that it have open space around its louvered air intake and exhaust vents. In a glass door cooler, the compressor will be located on either the top or the bottom. The location can have some significant implications in terms of cleaning and maintenance, so it's worth your time to be deliberate in choosing which type you want. Top-mounted compressors Pros Top-mounted compressors don't gather as much dirt and dust from the floor, so they won't need cleaning as frequently as bottom-mounted ones. All refrigeration components in the box – condenser, compressor, and evaporator - are in the same place, so refrigerant lines don't have to be run through the back. This can simplify maintenance and devote more space in the box to storage. Cons Top-mounted compressors are a little harder to get to, so servicing them is a bit more difficult. Maintenance visits may take longer and require more than one technician, increasing the cost of repairs. Because heat rises, ambient air temperatures tends to be higher near the tops of these units, so top-mounted models may have to work a little bit harder to stay cooler, potentially decreasing their energy efficiency. Bottom-mounted compressors Pros Bottom-mounted units, because their bases are devoted to the compressor, have higher bottom shelves. That means customers don't have to bend as far to reach the lowest contents. Because they're easier to get to, they're often easier to service and clean. Keeping them clean will limit service calls, and those you do have to make will likely take less time and effort. That's because the technicians don't have to do as much lifting and climbing to replace parts. Cons Because the compressors are closer to the floor, they tend to get dirtier and trap more dust. This means you'll have to clean them more frequently to keep them running efficiently. Bottom-mounted units have lines of refrigerant that run through the back of the cabinet from the bottom to the top. These lines take away usable storage space. Customizing Your Cooler Since the purpose of a glass door merchandiser is to show off your products to your customers, you'll want yours to match the décor of your business. Most manufacturers offer black, white, and stainless steel finishes. Less commonly, painted sides are an option on some models, which are available in a wider variety of colors. Some also have glass sides to allow your customers to view your products from each side. Many of these have a lit signage area above the door. That will likely include preinstalled graphics from the manufacturer which are removable so your own custom signage can be used. These can be used to support your marketing or branding efforts or to simply indicate what customers will find in the cooler. Storing Open Food While most display merchandisers are designed to store and display packaged food, some are suitable for holding open food. These are sometimes used in restaurants to showcase desserts and salads. Other kitchens may end up using a glass door merchandiser back-of-house. For those who do store open food, make sure the unit you choose is rated to do so. Units with drains should not be used for this purpose, as they offer insects, rodents, and germs an easy and always-open entry point.