So what are the key differences between commercial and residential refrigerators? Generally, they are different in terms of capacity and storage, material and durability, temperature control and cooling ability, variety and accessibility, maintenance requirements and power consumption.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the intricacies of commercial refrigerators versus residential ones, uncovering all the factors when it comes to considering which one best suits your needs. Whether you're a homeowner or business owner searching for a refrigerator, this article can provide you with more clarity and insights.
Commercial vs. Residential Refrigerator
Capacity and Storage
Most people who choose commercial refrigerators for their homes dislike the small storage space in a regular fridge. Commercial refrigerators, on the other hand, are designed to store a high-volume loads. This is essential for any foodservice business. Plus, you can expect to see all different sizes of commercial refrigerators, ranging from small under-counter units to big walk-in coolers. For example, our Westlake commercial refrigerators range from 1-door models with 23 cubic feet capacity to 3-door models with 54 cubic feet capacity.
Another perk that commercial refrigerators can offer is adjustable shelves. While your regular fridge may have one or two shelves that can be adjusted to fit a taller jar, but commercial refrigerators take it to a whole new level. This makes the organization and storage a breeze. They may also have specialized compartments to store different types of food, such as meat, dairy or produce. Some companies even offer customizable storage solutions.
On the other hand, residential refrigerators typically have smaller capacities. After all, they are designed to meet the storage needs of a few people. In most households, we go to grocery shopping once or twice a week, so a huge storage space might be a waste. Occasionaly, even when we host a party or a big family gathering and we need to stock some leftovers, it's still manageable. You can get creative by utilizing the adjustable shelves and door bins. But overall, the storage space in a residential refrigerator is less customizable.
In general, commercial refrigerators have larger capacities and customizable storage configurations, while residential refrigerators are designed to meet the storage requirements of households, offering just enough space for regular household to store weekly groceries.
Material and Durability
Now let's talk about material. Commercial refrigerators tend to last longer than residential counterparts. So it's safe to say the material in commercial fridges is better and stronger. Commercial refrigerators are constructed using industrial-grade materials. They can endure the rigorous demands of commercial environment. We are talking about a hot kitchen, countless door openings and closings, and heavy loads. With stainless steel exteriors, commercial refrigerators are resistant to corrosion, scratches, and dents. In some higher end models, the interior is stainless steel rather than aluminum, enhancing durability and a professional look.
Good commercial refrigerators are equipped with Premium-grade components such as compressors and hinges. These are engineered to withstand tough usage and navigate frequent door openings. The compressors of commercial refrigerators are more powerful to handle the frequent fluctuations of temperature. Westlake commercial refrigerators feature high-quality Embraco compressors known for their reliability and efficiency.
On the other hand, the materials of residential refrigerators are usually lighter. Stainless steel exterior is generally found in high-end residential models. Middle-end and lower-end refrigerators usually have exteriors made of painted steel, plastic, or other materials, which are more prone to wear and tear over time. The shelves inside are made of plastic or tempered glass. Not the most durable option.
Overall, residential refrigerators are designed to withstand everyday household use with the use of lighter and less durable materials, while commercial ones feature heavy-duty constructions and are tailor-made to meet the robust needs of restaurants and such.
Temperature Control and Cooling Ability
When I look at commercial refrigerators, I see how they’re designed to meet tough food safety standards and handle everyday use. They come with advanced digital controls that let you set and maintain just the right temperature. For example, Westlake models use Carel controllers, which handle things like fan cooling and defrosting automatically.
Even if you’re constantly opening and closing the doors, these refrigerators quickly get back to the right temperature, keeping everything consistently cool. This is perfect for keeping your perishables fresh. If you have small children at home always curious to see what's left in the fridge and open door every half hour, you don't need to worry.
What’s also impressive is how fast these refrigerators can cool down large amounts of food, thanks to their high-capacity compressors and excellent insulation. Some models even offer specialized temperature zones, so you can store different types of food or dairy products exactly how they need to be.
Residential refrigerators generally only offer basic temperature control settings. You can only adjust the temperature within a certain range, not at a specific temeprature. If your refrigerator at home is a higher-end model, you can probably use the digital temperature control system, but bear in mind, it may not be as accurate or consistent as the commercial counterparts.
Another disadvantage with the residential fridges is the temperature fluctuation. We don't need to check food temperature at home, right? And if we do, we are not required by law. But things are different in commercial setting. Therefore, commercial refrigerators are designed to keep the food and beverages at a certain temperature. After each door opening, the temperature fluctuates significantly inside the refrigerators. Residential refrigerators that don't have the rapid temperature recovery system in place.
Residential refrigerators have one cooling zone with uniform temperature control throughout the entire refrigerator, so it’s impossible to store different types of food items at their own ideal temperatures. The compressor and insulation systems are not as robust as commercial ones. You may find it takes longer to maintain cooling performance if there are heavy loads of items or prolonged periods of door openings.
In summary, commercial refrigerators can meet the higher standard in terms of temperature control and specialized zones. Meanwhile, residential refrigerators only offer basic temperature control systems suited for storing leftovers and groceries.
Variety and Accessibility
From reach-in to under-counter, commercial refrigerators offer a wide variety of types to meet the different needs in the foodservice industry. For example, reach-in refrigerators are the most common ones used by large families. These upright units are perfect for a high-traffic kitchen. Under-counter refrigerators take up smaller space but still provides suffcient storage capacity. Some families like the modern look of display refrigerators. The glass doors can showcase what food and beverages you have. If you are debating between solid door and glass door refrigerators, please read this post.
When it comes to residential refrigerators, you'll find they come with different sizes, styles, and configurations. You've got four popular types: top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French door style. For smaller apartment or offices, compact refrigerators are a great alternative.
In terms of accessibility, commercial refrigerators have more ergonomic designs such as wide door openings, adjustable shelves, and self-closing doors. The accessibility is enhanced by LED lighting, temperature display and intuitive controls.
Residential refrigerators have some accessibility geared towards homeowners, such as easy-to-open doors, adjustable shelves, and clear storage bins. Advanced features such as touch-screen displays or Wi-Fi connectivity are only available in higher-end products.
Overall, commercial refrigerators offer a more diversified configuration for foodservice businesses, prioritizing accessibility and functionality in busy kitchens. Residential refrigerators cater to homeowners whose priority is convenience and usability.
Maintenance Requirements
Commercial refrigerators are usually under heavy usage, therefore more wear and tear can happen on compressors, hinges and seals. Regular maintenance by trained technicians is necessary to ensure optimal performance and prevent costly repairs. Besides maintenance, regular cleaning of interior surfaces and doors can help avoid cross-contamination and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
But not to worry - if you buy from us, you'll benefit from our superior warranty program. We offer a 6-year warranty on the compressor, exceeding the industry average of up to 5 years. Additionally, our comprehensive warranty covers the entire machine for 2 years, including free parts, telephone/video guidance, door-to-door maintenance, and other services.
Typically, you won’t need to hire a technician for maintenance with our commercial refrigerators. User experience and customer satisfaction is our top priority in the product design process, so we try to make it straightforward to keep them in top shape. We attach a simple sticker on each machine, or you can follow the instructions in the user manual. And if you’d like a bit more guidance, we can even send you a video to walk you through the maintenance process.
Residential refrigerators are generally used lightly throughout the day, so routine maintenance tasks such as checking compressors, cleaning condenser coils or checking door seals are less needed. Regular cleaning of spills and interior surfaces is a nice thing to do but it’s not required. It's safe to say that a lot of us never worry about maintenance except regular cleaning until it stops working one day. Then it's time for a new upgrade.
In short, commercial refrigerators require regular maintenance, even though you don't always have to hire someone - you can be a pro yourself with proper instruction from the manufacturer. Residential refrigerators require less maintenance and if needed, it's simpler and less expensive.
Power Consumption
Like we've discussed earlier, commercial refrigerators are built with powerful cooling systems to handle frequent temperature changes and constant door openings. This means they tend to use more energy than residential models.
The good news is that some commercial fridges do meet energy efficiency standards, which gives them an edge over other models. However, don’t expect a significant drop in your energy bill. These fridges generally use more power because of their larger storage capacity and the need for continuous operation. Additionally, features like glass doors and extra lighting, which are common in commercial models, can also increase energy consumption.
Even though Energy DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) testing is not a requiremnt for commercial refrigerators, Westlake commercial refrigerators have passed the energy efficiency test and proudly carry the Energy DOE certification. Some of our refrigerators even have Energy Star ratings. When you add in our exceptional warranty and affordable prices, Westlake refrigeration really stands out as a smart choice.
In contrast, the residential refrigerator market caters to regular consumers, including those who are budget-conscious. To better attact these customers, residential fridges are designed with energy efficiency in mind. For example, residential refrigerators typically come with improved insulation and energy-efficient compressors. Manufacturers design these fridges to offer solid cooling performance while keeping energy consumption low. It's a win-win!
In summary, residential refrigerators are all about keeping your bills low and food fresh, ideal for everyday household use. Commercial refrigerators are built with functionality and performance in mind. Sure they might consume more energy, but you get a perfect cooling unit that's designed for commercial settings.
Final Words
So what's your takeaway? If you prefer performance, you've come to the right place to discover a whole collection of elegant, robust commercial refrigerators. They’re built to handle the demands of a busy commercial environment. They will be an invaluable asset to your home kitchen. Whether you have a large family to feed, or a small home business, you will feel confident knowing everything you store will be fresh and organized. You can spend more time with your family or focus on your business without worrying about wasted food or unexpected grocery trips.
When you choose our collection, you’re not just investing in top-quality refrigerator—you’re also gaining the peace of mind that comes with our commitment to exceptional customer service and our comprehensive warranty program. Shop with confidence, knowing we’re here to support you every step of the way and protect your investment for years to come. For our select customers, we offer extended warranties to provide even more peace of mind. Contact us today to find out if you qualify.
