A walk-in freezer is a freezer used to store food in a frozen
state for commercial use. Often referred to as simply a "walk-in"
which may lead to confusion between the walk-in freezer and the
walk-in cooler. With a temperature below 28 degrees F,
the walk-in freezer is cooler than the walk-in cooler, which has
a temperature between 28 and 40 degrees F. Whether a
walk-in is a cooler or a freezer, it works the same way as the ones
in a home: a reverse heat pump sucks the heat out of the enclosure. It is important to check that the heat produced by a walk-in can be properly ventilated.
These chilly enclosures may be freestanding structures outside or be
built into a larger space and may be as small as 4
feet by 4 feet by 6 feet to as large as a
warehouse. Having an outdoor unit is more expensive and its
installation may subject to zoning restrictions although the noise will
not disturb diners. In order to properly accomodate the needs of a
business, there should be one cubic feet of storage for every 28 pounds
of food.
The outside of the walk-in (or "skin") may be made of (listed in
ascending order of price and durability) G 90 Galvanized Steel,
Painted G 90 Galvanized steel, Aluminum, Galvalume or Stainless steel. G 90 Galvanized is
most common. Shelving may be either wire racks or solid. Wire racks
allow for greater air-flow but also increase the risk of food getting
freezer burn.
Doors for a walk-in may have hinges on the right or left. Typically
the hinges are heavy-duty. Some doors have a deadbolt lock or space for
a padlock on the outside. On the inside they often have a release to
prevent one from being trapped inside. If a walk-in does not have such
an indoor release, it is a Good Idea to tell a coworker that you will
be going into the walk-in. Cell phones typically don't work inside of a
walk-in.
When removing anything from a walk-in, it is a Good Idea to use oven mitts, towels or a coat to protect yourself.
The average cost of a walk-in will range between $4,400.00
and $12,000. About 20% of a restaurant's energy consumption is in food storage. In order to reduce energy costs, a walk-in should be built in the coolest part of a building.
A walk-in freezer would also make a good place for a fight or to
train for a fight—just like that one scene in Rocky where Sylvester
Stallone punches cow carcasses hanging from the ceiling.
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