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Nick Griffiths
If your workplace has a walk-in freezer, then you’ll know already that maintaining the correct temperature can be a test.
The most obvious gripe is when colleagues open and close the door, letting warm air in, but there’s also an ever-present risk – even if it happens less often – of equipment malfunctioning or a power cut preventing the freezer from preserving optimal conditions. An AC
No matter the type of business, effective and reliable cold storage is essential.
So, how cold is a walk-in freezer? And why does retaining an appropriate temperature matter?
How cold does a walk-in freezer need to be?
The temperature of a walk-in freezer in the UK varies according to its application and location.
Typically, it will be somewhere between -18°C and -25°C in commercial and industrial settings.
Different industries have specific requirements depending on the type of product being stored.
For example, the UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that all frozen food should be stored at -18°C or below to preserve its nutritional value and safety.
However, pharmaceutical companies may require a lower temperature for the safe storage of drugs. For example, for MHRA compliant storage of medicines the specification is below -20°C, which taking defrosting into consideration defrosting means a setpoint of -25°C is required. Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers may be installed that can reach settings as low as -80°C.
These solutions provide the extreme cold required to store materials like biological samples, vaccines, and enzymes.
Careful consideration of the options available for temperature control is important, as too is adopting best practices to minimise the chances of bacteria, mould, or yeast developing.
All of these can cause spoilage and, in a restaurant or other food-preparation setting, lead to the spread of foodborne illnesses.
Want to understand more about freezers in a hospitality setting? Our previous blog post, titled ‘What temperature should a restaurant freezer be set to?’ is a good place to start.
Can a walk-in freezer be too cold?
The answer is; it depends.
If a walk-in freezer is too cold, the impact on what is being stored can be costly in several ways.
That’s why, as mentioned above, knowing what the optimal temperature of your walk-in freezer should be – and monitoring the conditions accurately and regularly – is essential.
Commercial freezers, including walk-in models, can vary in their temperature settings.
While -18°C is the standard, some businesses may find slight variations more suitable depending on their specific needs.
For example, in a restaurant the temperature setting will depend on the requirements of different food products; ice cream needs a colder environment to ensure its optimal consistency and texture compared to frozen meat or vegetables.
What is the coldest part of a walk-in freezer?
The coldest part of a walk-in freezer will typically be in the air stream front of the evaporator coolers.
These are responsible for absorbing heat from inside the freezer, which is then expelled to outside via the condenser, to create the cold environment essential for freezing.
Cold air is also denser than warm air, meaning that it tends to sink. This means the lowest shelves, or areas close to the floor of a walk-in freezer, are usually colder than the highest storage points or zones near to the door.
Understanding how the temperature may differ within your walk-in freezer can ensure temperature-sensitive items are placed in the appropriate location.
Cold room installation by Industrial Cooling Equipment
ICE possesses the specialist knowledge and experience required to provide bespoke refrigeration solutions.
Our expert team can design, supply, install, and maintain your walk-in freezer, ensuring it performs consistently and reliably.
As well as installing your cold room or cold storage solution, we can also provide a regular maintenance service to ensure it functions at an optimal level.
Contact us to find out more about professional cold room installation and how it can be of benefit to your business.