Deli Cases and Bakery Display Cases Fridge Buying Guide

Having a refrigerated bakery case or deli case can prove to be an immensely advantageous method to significantly boost sales in a diverse range of food service establishments, encompassing coffee shops, convenience stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. Given that deli cases and bakery cases frequently exhibit resemblances in their outward appearances, it becomes crucial to determine the most suitable option for your specific requirements. The ensuing guide will comprehensively explore the various types and distinctive features associated with these cases, empowering you to make a well-informed decision and select the optimal unit that aligns with the unique needs of your business enterprise.

What Is a Deli Case Refrigerator?

A deli case is designed to uphold and sustain lower temperatures, ensuring the optimal preservation and safety of an extensive range of deli items such as meats, cheeses, pasta salads, and more. In addition to its primary function within delis, these versatile cases are also commonly found in convenience stores, where they serve the purpose of effectively showcasing and refrigerating a diverse array of products including bottled drinks, sushi, yogurt parfaits, pre-made salads, wraps, sandwiches, and various grab-and-go snacks.

There are three types of service available in deli cases: full service, open-air self-service, and self-service. Full-service cases are designed for employees to serve customers from behind the counter, with rear access only. Open-air self-service cases are ideal for convenience stores, markets, and grocery stores, as they allow customers to easily browse packaged deli or bakery items. Self-service cases have a lift-up front glass pane that allows customers to view the product without any obstruction and serve themselves.

What Is Bakery Case Refrigerator?

A bakery display case is a necessary piece of equipment for bakeries, cafes, and diners, as it enhances the visibility of your cakes, pies, pastries, and other products. It not only protects your goods from airborne contaminants but also allows customers to have a full view, thereby increasing impulse sales. The bakery cases are available in either dry or refrigerated models, depending on the type of items being served.

Additionally, you can choose from three types of service: dual service, full service, or self-service. Dual-service cases offer both front and rear access, allowing you to display to-go items and protected treats simultaneously. On the other hand, full-service cases provide rear access only, enabling employees to serve customers from behind the counter. Lastly, self-service cases provide customers with easy access and are particularly suitable for hotels and cafeterias.

Display Case Refrigeration Types

There are 2 types in the market. One is an air-cooled refrigerator and a direct-cooling refrigerator.

• What is the difference between an air-cooled refrigerator and a direct-cooling refrigerator?

Direct cooling refrigerator: It is refrigerated by the evaporator, and the inner wall of the freezer is in direct contact with heat exchange, most evaporators like this are composed of S-type refrigeration coils, and the cold air produced by the compressor flows through the pipeline, indirectly reducing the temperature of the inner wall of the refrigerator, so as to achieve heat exchange, when the air inside the refrigerator meets the lower temperature of the inner wall of the refrigerator, it will form a layer of frost on the surface of the inner wall. If not cleaned regularly, over time it will turn into a thick layer of ice, which is how ice forms in our refrigerators on a daily basis.

Air-cooled refrigerator: It is the use of air to command, when the high-temperature air flows through the built-in evaporator, direct heat exchange occurs, the temperature of the air is reduced at the same time, and the fan will be reduced after the cold air into the refrigerator, and then continue to cycle this process to reduce the temperature inside the refrigerator. Many people say that the air-cooled refrigerator is a frost-free refrigerator it is not so, because the frost is condensed on the evaporator, and the evaporator is inside the refrigerator, so it is not visible after opening the refrigerator, so it is called the air-cooled refrigerator is the frost-free refrigerator.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of a direct cooling refrigerator?

Advantages: low price, low noise, low power consumption, good moisture.

Disadvantages of straight ice box: slow cooling, easy frost, uneven temperature.

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of air-cooled refrigerators?

Air-cooled refrigerator advantages: no frost, temperature balance.

Disadvantages of air-cooled refrigerator: high price, loud noise, high power consumption, no moisture.

Display Case Purchasing Considerations

After determining the suitable type of display case for your needs, it is essential to further limit your options by evaluating the characteristics and alternatives of each case. Size is not solely restricted to the available floor space for a case. Instead, consider the perishability and turnover rate of the products you intend to exhibit. In many cases, opting for a smaller display case can help conserve space, energy, and financial resources, particularly if your products have a short shelf life or require frequent rotation.

Manufacturers provide "low profile" variations of their cases, encompassing the same advantages and features as their larger counterparts, but in a compact design. These compact cases are particularly suitable for locations like convenience stores, where space is a crucial factor.

It is important to carefully review the specification sheet of the case in order to ensure that the intake and exhaust air clearance requirements can be met. Additionally, given that a number of these cases are quite spacious, it is essential to closely examine the measurements to confirm that the case can fit through your doorway.