For startups and small businesses in Singapore, opting for a remote walk-in cold room can offer significant advantages. While many in the food industry may be familiar with cold rooms, newcomers might not fully understand how they function or their benefits.
So, what exactly is a cold room, how is it used, and who typically rents separate cold storage spaces? Here’s a breakdown of common questions about walk-in cold rooms:
What is a cold room?
A walk-in cold room is a large-scale storage solution designed to keep perishable items frozen or chilled at a specific temperature. Think of it as an industrial-sized refrigerator. Cold rooms are used for commercial refrigeration, particularly in the food industry to preserve produce, medicines, and flowers.
How does a walk-in fridge work?
Walk-in fridges and blast freezers operate using several key components:
- Compressor: Compresses refrigerant gas.
- Condenser: Cools hot gas into a liquid.
- Expansion Valve: Controls the flow and transforms liquid gas into vapour.
- Evaporator Coils: Absorb heat, cooling the room by expanding and boiling the liquid gas.
- Refrigerator Fans: Circulate air across the evaporator coils to cool the room.
- Cold Room Door: An insulated door that helps maintain the room’s temperature.
Who uses walk-in cold storage?
Businesses and individuals who need large-scale chilled or frozen storage can rent walk-in refrigeration units. In Singapore, cold room rentals are popular with:
- Food businesses: Restaurants, catering services, pop-up food stands, and food box delivery services, to store bulk supplies and free up space in their kitchens.
- Pharmaceutical companies: To store medicines that require specific temperatures.
- Others: Cooking class businesses and even flower shops for keeping produce and floral arrangements fresh.
How do I maintain a cold room?
Proper maintenance is essential for ensuring that your cold room remains at the right temperature and functions efficiently. In Singapore, businesses like Ventco offer regular temperature and safety checks for rented cold storage units. This ensures your products stay safe and your cold room operates optimally.
What are the three main types of food storage?
In the food industry, there are three primary types of storage:
- Dry Food Storage: Non-perishable items such as flour, sugar, rice, and canned goods.
- Refrigerated Food Storage: Perishable items like meats, dairy, fresh fruits, and pre-prepared meals.
- Frozen Food Storage: Items that need to be stored at freezing temperatures, like batch-cooked foods or frozen goods.
What temperature should my walk-in cold room be?
The temperature of your cold room depends on what you’re storing:
- Ambient Cold Room: If you need a room temperature or “cool” environment, it should be set between 8°C and 25°C.
- Walk-In Cold Room: For standard refrigeration, the room should be between 2°C and 8°C.
- Walk-In Freezer: For frozen goods, temperatures should be set at -15°C or lower.
Benefits of a walk-in cold room
- Space-saving: A walk-in cold room can free up precious floor space in your kitchen by storing bulk items externally.
- Cost savings: Prevent food wastage by organizing supplies in a walk-in fridge where you can clearly see and manage stock.
- Easy accessibility: With a large capacity, you can store more items and easily access them when needed, reducing time spent searching.
- Customization: Cold rooms can be tailored to your specific business needs, whether you need temperature adjustments or additional space.
Are cold rooms important?
Cold rooms are crucial for preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of perishable goods like food, flowers, and medicines. They also help reduce waste, benefiting both your business and the environment.
Do cold storage rooms need ventilation?
Yes, proper ventilation is needed to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth. Most rented cold storage rooms are equipped with built-in ventilation, but it’s always a good idea to confirm this before renting.
Do I need to wear PPE in a cold storage room?
The need for personal protective equipment (PPE) depends on the duration of your stay in the cold room. If you plan to spend a longer time in the cold room, it’s essential to wear insulated clothing, including:
- Insulated boots
- Thermal jacket and trousers
- Thermal gloves and head protection
For short visits, you can simply wear a thermal jacket and gloves.
What can I store in a cold room?
Walk-in fridges are versatile and can store a wide range of items, including:
- Fresh produce, meats, dairy, pulses, and spices
- Frozen foods and pre-cooked items
- Flowers, chemicals, and pharmaceutical products
How should I organize my cold room?
A well-organized cold room can improve efficiency and prevent food waste. Consider these tips:
- Label shelves and food items.
- Store food in groups and avoid overcrowding.
- Implement FIFO (first in, first out) practices.
- Store fish, meat, and poultry at ground level to avoid contamination.
How to prevent and treat mold in a cold room?
To prevent mold growth, maintain proper moisture control and ensure effective ventilation. Regularly clean surfaces, address maintenance issues, and repair seals promptly. If mold is found, act quickly to remove it to protect both your products and workers.
Why should I use Ventco for walk-in fridge?
Ventco offers cost-effective, flexible cold room rentals in Singapore. Our 3m x 3m x 2m units are perfect for startups and pop-up businesses, with customizable settings to meet your specific needs. With 24/7 access, on-site parking, and security, our cold rooms are ready whenever you need them.
Looking for reliable cold room contractor in Singapore? Ventco offers a wide range of cold room solutions. Contact our experts to gain more information today!
