Can you switch the door opening on a commercial fridge?
- Fridgesmart
The food and drink industry is fast-paced, whether you’re a takeaway, convenience store, pub or restaurant. And that means it’s critical to take every step possible to maximise efficiency.
One such method is to reverse the door on your fridge (or fridges). Moving the hinges to the other side might make all the difference in preventing a walkway from being blocked or trapping someone against a counter.
Maybe it sounds overkill to say that one awkward door swing can throw your entire business’s rhythm off. But give us a moment to explain otherwise, and you might just find you agree.
Why door direction matters in your workspace
There’s a well-known saying in business, time = money. Nowhere is that more true than in the catering and food retail industries, where making the most of your time equals more potential profit. And every second spent stepping aside or wrestling with a door adds up.
Perhaps it isn’t the worst thing in the world. But it can have an impact. Your kitchen staff get frustrated if they’re in a rush and your fridge doors are always in the way. Your customers will start getting annoyed when the aisle clogs up with people waiting to pass that one lady who can’t decide if she wants a chicken salad or a cheese sandwich. That’s not the sort of workplace or front-of-house culture you want to be developing.
All food and drink businesses face the same challenge of making sure their equipment fits their workflow, not the other way round. If something’s getting in the way, and you have the resources to fix it, then fix it.
That’s why some commercial fridges are designed with reversible doors. Instead of replacing the refrigerator, you can adjust the swing of its doors to suit your layout. It gives flexibility when moving premises, reorganising staff flow or squeezing more value from a small footprint. And that’s why it’s worth your attention.
How the process works
Reversing a fridge door is a straightforward process and something you or your staff should be able to do with no trouble. You’ll need a few basic tools, but nothing out of the ordinary. In most cases, screwdrivers, spanners and sometimes Allen keys should be all the tools you need. Most manufacturers design specific points where the hinges attach, so it’s easy to make these swaps without damaging the frame. Always follow the instructions in the manual, and give us a call if you get stuck. However, in general, the very basic steps go as follows:
- Remove the hinge covers and pins.
- Lift the door clear of the cabinet.
- Refit the hinges on the opposite side.
- Swap the handle position (if applicable).
- Reattach the door and check the seal.
Some models include pre-drilled screw points covered with caps. Others may need an additional bracket that comes supplied with the fridge. If you purchase one of these models, make sure to keep that bracket around in a safe place. But if you lose it, don’t worry too much. You can always order a spare.
Which models offer reversible doors
Here at Fridgesmart, we stock a range of fridges and freezers with reversible doors. Here are a few of our more popular reversible door models:
- Tefcold FS1380 Glass Door Merchandiser – widely used in shops and cafés, with a reversible door for flexible placement.
- Tefcold CEV435 Black Glass Door Merchandiser – a similar model to the above, again reversible for layout changes.
- Tefcold SC85 Black Wine Cooler – compact, designed for undercounter use, with a reversible door for tighter spaces.
- Tefcold UR200SG Glass Door Merchandiser – another undercounter option that allows switching to match the flow of service.
If you’re at all unsure about whether a unit you’re looking at has reversible doors, you’ll find more information in the product description of the display fridges. To make further enquiries or ask about special cases, please don’t hesitate to get in touch at hello@fridgesmart.co.uk. Our experts can help you find the perfect reversible fridge for your needs.
How can Fridgesmart help?
In theory, most business owners and their staff should be able to reverse a fridge in under an hour. If you have the time outside of regular working hours, you probably don’t need any professional help.
However, if you’re extremely busy, you simply might not have the time. Or perhaps it’s one of those tasks that you always put off to tomorrow, and it’s better to just get it done. In these sorts of cases, it might be a good idea to bring in a dedicated technician. They’ll ensure the hinge alignment is correct, the gasket seals tightly, and you can get the unit serviced at the same time.
For a new purchase, Fridgesmart often arranges professional installation, including hinge reversal on delivery. If you’re working with existing fridges, the choice is up to you. Either working with a professional or going the DIY route is perfectly valid; the key is making sure the job is done right the first time.
And that’s where Fridgesmart can help. With market-leading delivery and warranty options, we work with owners to choose the right model and, where needed, arrange a professional to set it up. Explore our full range of commercial fridges and freezers with reversible doors today, and make your workspace or customer area flow the way it should.
