Opening a new restaurant? One thing you can't afford to neglect is a refrigerator. But with the high cost of a commercial refrigerator, you might be tempted to use a regular fridge.

So can you use a regular fridge in a commercial kitchen? The answer is no. Regular fridges are not designed to meet the rigorous food safety standards. These high standards are mandated for commercial kitchen environment, which requires frequent opening and closing, strict temperature control, large loads of food, etc. 

In this post, we will first examine the consequences of using a regular fridge in a commercial kitchen, and then discuss what makes a refrigerator commercial grade. You'll see why the investment in a commercial refrigerator is essential for maintaining the efficiency, safety, and professionalism of your restaurant’s operations.

What Could Go Wrong?

There are many reasons why you shouldn't use a regular fridge in a commercial kitchen. In this section, we'll disuss the areas including health risks, regulation non-compliance, performance issues, operational costs.

• Health Risks

You know that the residential fridges are small, but thinking that using a couple of them might do the trick? You are just starting out and this seems like a good way to cut costs. But after a busy day with hundreds of door openings, you might notice that your produce is no longer as fresh as it was.

Now, you're faced with a dilemma: do you throw away the spoiled food and accept waste costs, or do you risk serving it to your customers? If you take the chance, is there a bigger price to pay after all? As a restaurant owner, you know this is a risky gamble. 

What about cross-contamination? When you have to squeeze all the food, both raw and cooked, into such a small space in a regular fridge, what could happen? Raw meats stored too close to fresh produce can lead to harmful bacteria spreading. Imagine your customers orders a salad bowl contaminated by juices from raw meat, later had foodborne illness and then filed a complain against your restaurant. 

The cramped space of a residential fridge just isn't designed to accommodate all the diverse needs of a commercial kitchen. No matter how many you have in the kitchen, it will be a nightmare!

• Regulation Non-Compliance

First off, let’s talk about health code regulations. There are some pretty strict rules to follow when you have a commercial kitchen. The rules are in place to keep everything safe and sanitary.

Residential fridges just don’t cut it when it comes to these standards. If you’re caught using one, you could be looking at hefty fines. In many places, fines for health code violations can range from $100 to $1,000 per infraction. In the worst scenario, you may have to shut down temporarily or permanently. 

Then there are inspections. Health inspectors expect to see appliances that can handle high volumes and maintain proper temperatures at all times, not just the downtime. You will have a failed inspection if you don't have commercial grade refrigeration system. What does that mean? Essentially, it means you’ll face delays in opening your foodservice establishment and incur expenses out of your pocket. 

To sum it up, while it might seem like a cost-saving alternative to use a residential fridge in a commercial kitchen, at least to start off with, the potential risks and costs are not worth it. Investing in commercial-grade fridge might seem like a big step, but it’s one that pays off in peace of mind in the long term.

• Performance Issues 

Let's start with a simple question: do you expect your kid to use the same weight of dumbbell as you in the gym? Of course not! Just like kids and adults have different needs when it comes to workout equipment, commercial kitchens need equipment that’s specifically designed to handle their unique workload.

Residential fridges are like those lightweight dumbbells—they’re great for home use but not up to the heavy lifting of a busy kitchen. If you’re running a commercial kitchen, your ideal refrigerator needs a stronger "dumbbell", a powerful compressor that can keep up with the fast pace and volume of your operation.

Just like a kid could get injured using a dumbbell that’s too heavy, you can expect more frequent breakdowns when a residential fridge is pushed beyond its limits. Trying to save a few hundred dollars by opting for a regular fridge can quickly backfire. The repair costs and downtime when it breaks down can far exceed your initial savings, so what's the point?

• Operational Cost

Residential fridges have a cooling cycle that includes periods of active cooling and periods of rest. When you load a large volume of produce after a grocery trip, the compressor kicks in to cool the interior. Once the desired temperature is reached, the compressor turns off, allowing the fridge to rest until it’s needed again.

In a commercial kitchen, the constant opening and closing of doors drive the compressor work nonstop to keep up with the frequent influx of warm air. Don't forget: a restaurant kitchen is way hotter than a home kithen. This constant running will inevitably drive up your energy bills. 

You might a few hundred dollars upfront, but have you ever considered the added costs of repairs, food waste and increased energy bills? 

Once in a while—or perhaps more frequently— you'll find yourself calling technicians to fix your residential fridge. All those repair costs can add up too, not alone the shorten lifespan it causes to the fridge. In the end, you’re spending a lot more on upkeep and replacements than if you’d invested in a commercial-grade fridge from the start.

What Makes A Refrigerator Commercial Grade?

A commercial-grade refrigerator is very different from a regular fridge. Although they are both designed to keep food cool and fresh, they vary greatly in terms of key features. These features are tailored for commercial kitchens, where constant access to fresh ingredients is essential for food preparation and cooking. In contrast, home environments typically involve only a few family members accessing the fridge, usually during meal prep times.

Now let's look at some unique features in commercial refrigerators. 

• Self-Closing Doors:

With a regular fridge, you always need to remember to close the door after opening it. In a busy commercial kitchen, this can be a hassle. Just imagine a busy chef juggling multiple orders during the dinner rush. Will he have time to close the door every single time with hands full of food ingredients and trays? 

Self-closing doors on commercial refrigerators are a real game-changer in a busy kitchen. How amazing it is to let you focus on preparing great food, instead of constantly checking if the door is shut. Remember, these doors can have many uses: they help keep the cold air in, cut down on energy waste, and also help maintain the right temperature for your ingredients.

If you want to spend less time worrying about door issues and more time focusing on your kitchen, consider a commercial refrigerator from Westlake. All our models come with self-closing doors. A range of options are available, including reach-in, glass door, solid door, table prep refrigerators and so on, with 1 to 3 door configurations. Be sure to check us out! 

• Precise Temperature Control

Regular refrigerators in home kitchens generally don’t require the same level of precise temperature control as commercial kitchens. Regular fridges are small so they hold fewer items. The impact of minor temperature fluctuations is less critical. It's also easier to maintain a consistant temperature with such a small capacity. 

However, if you're running a busy restaurant, when the temperature control system isn’t up to snuff, the consequences can be severe. Most importantly is the risk to your customers' health. Spoiled food can lead to foodborne illnesses, the potential legal troubles from health inspections or disgruntled customers.

Now hopefully by now you can see that advanced temperature control systems in commercial refrigerators are more than just a price-marking feature. They are an investment in keeping your restaurant running well. They are a protection against spoiled food waste and other financial losses. 

So remember, when it comes to choosing a high-performing commercial refrigerator for your business, don’t skimp on this vital feature. All Westlake commercial refrigerators feature precise temperature ranges to ensure optimal storage conditions:

- Refrigerator: 33℉~40℉ (0.5℃~4.5℃)
- Freezer: -8℉~0℉ (-17.7℃~-22.5℃)

The digital temperature control system makes it easy to set and adjust temperatures, while the LED display allows for real-time monitoring. This advanced feature ensures that your ingredients are always stored under the optimal temperature. 

• Powerful Compressors

The compressors in residential and commercial refrigerators are fundamentally different, both in size and efficiency. 

Residential refrigerators use smaller and less powerful compressors, because residential fridges usually have smaller capacity and less frequent door openings. They also prioritize on energy efficiency with simpler on/off cycles or basic variable-speed systems, suitable for the moderate demands of a home kitchen. In other words, the ideal customers for a regular fridge just want a refrigerator that uses minimal electricity while still providing adequate cooling. 

In contrast, commercial refrigerators feature larger and more powerful compressors designed to handle varying usage patterns. With advanced technologies like variable-speed or multi-stage systems, these compressors can dynamically and quickly adjust cooling output to meet real-time demands. 

Westlake commercial refrigerators use Embraco compressor, which is renowned for their advanced technology and reliable performance. Here are some key highlights of Embraco compressor:

1. Advanced Technology:

2. Energy Efficiency:

Embraco compressors are excellent in perserving energy efficiency and saving on energy bills. They are powerful parts, but they work smartly to provide reliable cooling performance without using excessive energy. This efficiency isn’t just about cost savings—it also means a smaller environmental footprint.

Westlake uses Embraco compressors instead of traditional ones, because we prefre an an eco-friendly option. So, investing in a Westlake commercial refrigrator, you'll not only get excellent performance, but also feel good of doing your part to support a greener planet.

3. Durability and Reliability:

In the high-pressure and hot environment of a commercial kitchen, reliability is everything. That’s why Westlake use Embraco compressors in all their refrigerators. These compressors are so crucial to keep your commercial fridges running in an area where it is pushed to its limits day in and day out. Embraco compressors are engineered for long-term performance. You won’t have to worry about frequent breakdowns or premature replacements. 

When you buy from us, you will also get peace of mind with our industry-leading 6-year warranty for the compressor. Please read our warranty information here. A great highlight about our policy is that we will honor the same warranty for residential use, unlike most competitors. We also have another blog post outlining the key differences between commercial and residential refrigerators. Hope you will find valuable information to help you make the right decision.

How Can We Help? 

Let’s wrap this up with another example: using a residential fridge in a commercial kitchen is a bit like using a toy car for a road trip—it's not built for the journey. Investing in commercial-grade equipment  ensures you’re not only compliant with regulations but also set up for smooth, efficient operations. 

At Bitimexhome, we don’t just sell refrigerators – we build trusting relationships. You can count on our friendly team to understand your unique needs and support you every step of the way. And it doesn't end with your purchase. 

Our warranty covers 2 years for the entire machine, including free parts, telephone/video guidance, door-to-door maintenance, and other services. Additionally, we offer a 6-year warranty for the compressor, with only parts and delivery covered for the last 4 years.

Ready to upgrade? Contact us today to get the perfect commercial refrigerator free of delivery charge. We are here to help you keep your kitchen running smoothly.