Commercial Open Display Fridges

Due to the fact they don’t feature doors, open display fridges need circulated cooling functionality, which is why you’ll find they feature fan-forced cooling rather than static panels. The high-velocity stream of cold air that the fans generate serves to flow across and throughout your stock. It also typically feeds up from the front of the unit, creating a cold barrier of air to help keep the contents of your fridge at a more consistent temperature.

The placement of your Commercial Open Display Fridges is key when it comes to ensuring the proper food safe temperature is maintained, so you’ll need to keep it in a location away from drafts or heat-producing appliances. By having continuous cold air circulating, it helps to maintain uniform temperatures throughout the cabinet, preserving the freshness and food safety of displayed products. Adequately spacing your products is important, as this allows the cold air to fully surround the stock you have on display.

Due to the fact that open display fridges need an extra degree of care in terms of placement and product management, we recommend using them to showcase stock that has a high turnover. They’re especially ideal for things that are more shelf stable but are made to be consumed while chilled, so they’re perfect for everything from bottled and canned beverages, deli items like olives and dips, pre-packaged meals, salads, sandwiches, and cheeses. Given all of these are often picked up on a regular basis, you can quickly replenish them to ensure the stock stays in good condition, refilling from something like a standard upright fridge in your stock room. All of these products are ideal and also benefit from the fact they’re easy to grab, encouraging quick selection from your customers, all without compromising quality.

Air curtain technology refers to the wall of cold air that moves across the front open section of the fridge, which in turn minimises the transfer of heat from the outside. By keeping a sustained and consistent cold zone at the Commercial Open Display Fridge’s edge, the air curtain not only serves to help keep internal temperatures stable, but also helps to lower the overall amount of power required to sustain food safe conditions for your stock.

Yes, absolutely. Whether you’re running a cafe or canteen, a convenience store or a fast food service restaurant, open display fridges are a convenient way to add more chilled storage that supports those extra impulse buys. You will need to account for the best possible location for your Commercial Open Display Fridges though, and they’re more sensitive to temperature fluctuations so need to be placed accordingly to ensure the temperature inside remains consistent.

When you have an unobstructed view of products, they’re close to hand, and you’re already planning on buying something (like when you’re near a checkout), there are no barriers to grabbing something extra. This is exactly why open display refrigerators are a great addition to your setup, and they come in a myriad of formats, including modular designs that can be set up together for a more grand display as well.

Open air fridges generally have a higher energy consumption level than something like a drink display fridge with a door, owing to the fact that they have to consistently keep pumping cold air throughout in order to maintain the reliable chilling you need for food quality and safety. Look for features like energy efficient refrigerants, like R290, and solid insulation, which will help hold temperature with less power. You also want to place your display fridge somewhere that’s away from drafts and any unnecessary heat, avoiding direct sunlight and drafts from doorways. This will help reduce the strain on holding temperature and also help keep your utility bills down.

As with any commercial fridge or freezer, you’ll need to complete some regular maintenance. Things like wiping down shelves, checking that the motor is clear and free to run properly, and periodic servicing will all help in keeping them lasting for longer and operating as efficiently as possible.

If you need something that can withstand more regular temperature fluctuations, have a particularly humid environment, or you have more sensitive stock that needs to be kept within a narrow temperature range, something enclosed may be better. Fridges with doors have that extra layer of protection, and can be a better option when you have a slower level of turnover or need that precise temperature control.

Choosing where you locate your Commercial Open Display Fridges is a strategic component when you’re trying to maximise the fridge’s performance but also optimise product visibility. We recommend positioning your Commercial Open Display Fridges in high-traffic zones, like near your checkout areas or at the ends of the main aisles to maximise exposure and sales opportunities, but make sure you’re avoiding areas with extra ambient heat or excessive airflow.