Pizza Prep Fridges

A pizza prep fridge is a specialized commercial refrigeration unit designed specifically for pizzerias and other foodservice operations that require refrigerated storage for ingredients used to make pizza.

Adaptive defrost, which is just another term for auto-defrost, is a feature to look for in a pizza prep fridge. It automatically defrosts the fridge at regular intervals, preventing the build-up of ice and ensuring that the temperature inside the fridge stays consistent. This not only helps to keep your ingredients fresh but also reduces the need for manual defrosting, saving you time and energy. So, when selecting a countertop preparation fridge for your pizza preparation, keep an eye out for auto defrost feature and make the best choice for your business.These are just some of the features you should be looking into when choosing a pizza prep fridge. However, if you’re still unsure, just reach out to our friendly team. We are experts in this sort of thing and more than happy to guide you and make suggestions for your specific requirements. Call us today at 1300 35 25 45!

The average lifespan of a pizza prep fridge is between 5 and 10 years, depending on usage and maintenance.

The price of a pizza prep fridge varies depending on the size, features, and brand. On average, prices range from $1,000 to $4,000.

To achieve maximum efficiency and food safety, it is recommended to install your pizza prep fridge in a clean, cool, and well-ventilated space with easy access for food preparation.

Common issues with pizza prep fridges include temperature inconsistencies, compressor failure, and clogged drains. Troubleshooting involves identifying the issue and contacting a professional for repair or replacement.

Cleaning and maintaining your pizza prep fridge involves regular cleaning, proper temperature control, and routine inspections to ensure all components are functioning properly.

A pizza prep fridge is specifically designed for pizza production, with specialised features such as prep tables, ingredient pans, and refrigeration systems that ensure ingredients stay fresh and cool.

When it comes to food prep and storage, you want a fridge that's easy to use and clean, with features that make all aspects of the process simpler. That's why we've created this list of the top features you could ask for in your next pizza prep fridge.

• Temperature Control: Most, if not all pizza prep fridges have this feature as standard via digital controller. You want a pizza prep fridge that’s capable of holding a range of temperatures, from ambient to cold temperature. This will keep your ingredients fresh and safe for as long as possible.
  Also, modern controllers handle all fridge processes including automatic defrost. So always make sure the fridge you purchase has either a Dixell or Carel controller and has all the necessary adjustable parameters, temperature, humidity, min/max set points, temperature differentials and manual defrost options.

• Ventilation: Ventilation in pizza prep fridges refers to the system of openings or vents that allow air to circulate within the fridge. This helps regulate the temperature and maintain optimal conditions for storing food items. This is important in preventing the build-up of heat or moisture, which can lead to food spoilage or decreased performance of the fridge. Ventilation is essential for any type of fridge or freezer, just like your car’s radiator requires ventilation/airflow to cool your engine, a fridge motor has the same requirements!
  When buying a pizza prep fridge, always consider the ventilation system and ensure that it is sufficient for the size and capacity of the fridge. A pizza fridge with insufficient ventilation may not be able to effectively regulate the temperature and maintain optimal conditions for storing food items, leading to potential food safety issues and reduced performance.
  Additionally, consider the location and placement of the ventilation openings or vents, as this can affect the overall efficiency and performance of the prep counter fridge. For example, a fridge with ventilation openings on the back or sides may be more effective at regulating the temperature and maintaining optimal conditions than a fridge with ventilation openings on the top or bottom.
  Before making a purchase, always check the product manual and description as most pizza fridges require a 10-15cm space on all sides for adequate ventilation and airflow, especially into the summer months.
  If you need more information about this feature, our experienced team at Restaurant Equipment Online will be happy to assist you. We'll walk you through all of your options and make sure that you end up with the perfect freezer for your needs. 

• Refrigerant Type: The type of refrigerant used in a prep counter fridge can have performance, efficiency, and environmental impacts to the fridge. Different types of refrigerants have different properties and characteristics, and the choice of refrigerant can impact the overall performance and efficiency of the fridge.
  When buying a pizza prep fridge, it is important to consider the type of refrigerant used and ensure that it is suitable for the intended use and application. For example, refrigerants such as R290 (propane) and R600 (isobutane) are considered to be more environmentally friendly and have a lower global warming potential compared to refrigerants such as R404 (a blend of hydrofluorocarbons).
  Additionally, the choice of refrigerant can affect the performance and efficiency of the fridge. For example, R290 and R600 have a higher cooling capacity and can provide better performance at lower temperatures, making them suitable for applications such as pizza prep fridges where precise temperature control is important. If you want to save up to 30% of your energy bills, consider a pizza prep fridge with R290.

• Ambient Temperature: The ambient temperature of a pizza prep fridge can affect its performance, efficiency, and food safety. The ambient temperature refers to the temperature of the surrounding environment in which the fridge is located, and it can impact the ability of the fridge to maintain optimal conditions for storing food items.
  In Australia, the ambient temperature can vary significantly depending on the location and season. For example, in some regions of Australia, the ambient temperature can reach 40°C or higher in the summer, while in other regions it can be as low as 0°C or lower in the winter. This can impact the performance and efficiency of the fridge, as well as the food safety of the stored food items.
  When buying a pizza prep fridge, consider the ambient temperature and ensure that the fridge is designed to operate effectively in the intended location and environment. Some fridges may have features such as static or fan-forced cooling, which can help to regulate the temperature and maintain optimal conditions for storing food items.
  For example, fridges with static cooling, like the Thermaster 3 door fridge… use natural convection to circulate the air within the fridge, while fridges like this AG Equipment 3 Door Pizza Fridge with fan-forced cooling use a fan to circulate the air, providing more efficient and effective temperature control. In regions with extreme ambient temperatures, such as Australia, prep counter fridges with fan-forced cooling may be more suitable for maintaining optimal conditions for storing food items.

• Marble/Granite Countertops: Different types and materials of countertops have different properties and characteristics, and the choice of countertops can impact the overall performance, efficiency, and aesthetic of the kitchen.
  For example, pizza prep fridges with stainless steel countertops are a popular choice for commercial kitchens due to their durability, ease of maintenance, and resistance to stains and versatility in the kitchen. However, they can be prone to dents, especially if being used as a surface to roll pizza onto.
  That is why some pizza prep fridges are available with other prep surface materials such as marble or granite, which do not bend under pressure from a rolling pin!

• LED Lighting: LED lights have so many benefits over traditional fluorescents—they're energy efficient, they last longer without dimming or flickering, and they're much cooler (literally). Unfortunately, not all pizza fridges have interior lighting. If this is an important feature for you, we recommend that you check out the Williams Jade Pizza - Three Door Colorbond Pizza Prep Counter Refrigerator or some of the AG Equipment prep fridges which include internal LED lights. If this is not what you’re looking for, just contact the REO team and we’ll guide you through other products to suit your specific needs.

• Stainless Interiors and Shelves: Whilst sleek and smart to look at, take note that there are different grades of stainless steel, with varying levels of resistance to corrosion and other properties. In Australia, the food grade standard for stainless steel is 304, which is considered to be suitable for contact with food and beverages. At Restaurant Equipment Online, we can guarantee that all our pizza prep fridges are made using 304 steel on all food-contact surfaces, making them 100% safe for food prep