Commercial refrigeration: cold rooms, display chillers, freezers
Temperature decides the type
Refrigeration equipment is chosen by temperature range. Drinks and dairy need chilling. Meat, fish and ice cream need freezing, say down to −18 °C. Flowers and medicines need a precise, stable range. A home fridge is not suitable: it is not built for frequent door opening and long non-stop running, especially in a hot summer.
Describe what you need in a request, and sellers on BlaBlaPrice suggest models and prices. That is easier than collecting price lists from different suppliers.
What to put in your request
- type of equipment — display chiller, deep freezer, cold room, upright cabinet, chiller counter;
- temperature range — chilling or freezing, the range you need;
- size — capacity in litres or dimensions, for example a cold room of 2×2×2 m;
- what it is for — drinks, meat, ice cream, flowers, pharmacy; glass doors or solid;
- condition — new or used, working order, year;
- quantity;
- delivery and installation with commissioning;
- city and budget.
Example: “For a beverage shop in Christchurch I need 2 display chillers with glass doors, range +2 to +8 °C, about 600 litres each. New or used up to 3 years old, with delivery and commissioning. Budget up to $1,700.”
Cold room, display chiller or cabinet
A monoblock cold room installs faster, while a panel-built one lets you fit the size to your space. A glass-door display chiller sells better but uses more electricity than a solid-door cabinet. Chiller counters are handy for a kitchen. Ask separately about the compressor and condensing unit type (built-in or remote): a remote unit heats the shop less but needs installation.
Used refrigeration equipment
Used can be good value, but the compressor is the most expensive part. Ask for a video of it running, find out the year of manufacture and whether the unit was replaced, and check the door seals and how clean the evaporator is. Ask the seller for a warranty, even a short one, and find out which refrigerant it uses and whether service technicians can get it.
How to compare offers
Sellers reply in the chat with the model, specifications, price, delivery and installation. BlaBlaPrice compares the offers and shows the best one for you first, with reviews alongside. Sellers can see where they stand among the others, so they may improve their terms.
- Compare the same temperature range and capacity, and the energy rating too.
- Check whether delivery, connection and start-up are included.
- Ask where the service centre is and how long you wait for a technician.
A common mistake is ignoring the heat the unit gives off and the ventilation in the room. For cafes in general there is restaurant and cafe equipment, and for the sales floor, shop and exhibition equipment.
