Five big benefits of stainless-steel prep fridges for busy kitchens

Busy kitchens are high-energy and often stressful places. Chefs and sous-chefs run from station to station, waiters and servers wait for food and, just outside, all your customers are waiting expectantly. The last thing you need is for your equipment to be slowing you down. 

Stainless-steel prep fridges can make all the difference in your commercial kitchen. When it comes to getting a lot done at once, these refrigerator-workspaces are just what your staff need. 

Here are five significant benefits of stainless-steel prep fridges for busy kitchens like yours. 

Benefit 1: Durability 

Stainless-steel prep fridges are built to last. For example, thick-gauge stainless-steel can withstand most mild to medium impacts in a busy kitchen, such as staff slamming doors or someone dropping a pot. Dents are much less likely. 

Stainless-steel also contains chromium, which reacts with the oxygen in the air to form an invisible layer on the surface. This prevents rust and, even if it tears, is actually self-healing. 

These units also experience a few variations in temperature. Inside, they should be cool, but may have to deal with heat from nearby bain-maries, stoves or ovens, as well as any hot pans you place on top. The doors will also be opening and closing constantly, and you’ll need to use a few chemicals to keep everything clean. 

And yet, because stainless-steel is so durable, all of this comes as a built-in benefit. 

Benefit 2: Hygiene 

Stainless-steel is the surface of choice for most busy kitchens because it’s non-porous. In other words, it doesn’t absorb liquids, odours or bacteria. 

Now, let’s be clear: stainless-steel may be non-porous, but it doesn’t neutralise bacteria or odours. Your staff will still have to clean it down with soapy water and disinfectant. However, provided you keep up with the cleaning, stainless-steel is far less likely to chip or harbour bacteria than other materials like wood or laminate. 

Benefit 3: Ease of cleaning 

These units are also incredibly easy to clean. All your staff will need is warm, soapy water and a  cloth, following by a disinfectant spray. 

Of course, you’ll need to avoid wire wool or anything else abrasive, as this will scratch the surface. Make sure the cleaners you use are rated for stainless-steel and for commercial food hygiene. 

Every now and then, you can also use a stainless-steel cleaner to polish the doors and any other surfaces that aren’t used for preparing food. 

Benefit 4: Temperature  

Proper insulation is vital in any refrigeration appliance, including stainless-steel prep fridges. That’s a good thing, because it keeps the internal temperature constant. External temperatures in your kitchen don’t filter in, and internal coolness doesn’t leak out. That means a more consistent internal temperature for your produce. As a small bonus, the stainless-steel surface conducts far less heat than aluminium. 

Stainless-steel prep fridges also don’t swell, so the joints and gaskets should stay perfectly aligned. This means a more airtight refrigeration unit, which also helps keep the internal temperature consistently low. And if anything does go wrong, those gaskets or doors are usually easy to source and replace. 

Benefit 5: Space  

Most commercial kitchen appliances are either for prep or for storage. Not so with a stainless-steel prep fridge. Underneath the food preparation surface, you’ll find refrigerated cupboards and drawers. In some cases, such as with pizza prep fridges or customer-facing units, you could also add  a display topping unit. 

All fridges have certain space requirements. For example, thicker foam insulation means better temperature control, but eats into the usable space. You also need room for the compressor. However, having all this built into a prep fridge makes for fantastic space efficiency in most kitchens. 

Source your next stainless-steel prep fridge 

If you’re looking for a new stainless-steel prep fridge for your busy kitchen, Fridgesmart can help. We’ve barely scratched the surface of the benefits these units can offer, but we’re committed to helping you find the right unit for your space. 

Fridgesmart has been in business for well over 40 years, helping restaurants, pubs, bars, takeaways, cafes, delis and much more source trusted fridge brands at market-leading rates. And with fantastic warranty and delivery options from warehouses all around the UK, your new unit could arrive as soon as the next couple of days. 

If you’re ready to speak with a trusted adviser, get in touch with Fridgesmart today via hello@fridgesmart.co.uk or on 01792 677169. We’ll listen to you and learn about your business so we can help you pick the perfect stainless-steel prep fridge. We look forward to hearing from you.