Commercial Referigeration in the Home

As a manager of an engineering and architecture firm, with specialties in commercial refrigeration, I believe there is no upside to using the residential system versus the commercial. It is really a question of form over function. Residential units will often look prettier, and may offer some ammenities such as glass crisper drawers and automatic ice makers.

You'll rarely see commercial refrigerators with frilly marketing statements such as "Born of 100% steel (and a good bit of bravado), model 648PRO is a true masterpiece of preservation". Notice it really only says it is made of steel.

A commercial unit will market with statements like:
"Designed using the highest quality materials and components to provide the user with colder product temperatures, lower utility costs, exceptional food safety and the best value in today's food service marketplace. Oversized, factory balanced, refrigeration system holds 33°F to 38°F (.5°C to 3.3°C) for the best in food preservation.

Stainless steel interior and exterior front, sides and door. The very finest stainless with higher tensile strength for fewer dents and scratches. Matching aluminum back.

Adjustable, heavy duty PVC coated shelves.

Positive seal self-closing door(s). Lifetime guaranteed door hinges and torsion type closure system."

For thousands less, like you stated, you can get more storage made from the same or better materials, often with a better warranty. Then if the missing icemaker is an issue, buy a $1500-2,000 icemaker which can make 5lbs ice an hour if you want and you're set.

Vinny

 

Used commercial is a mixed bag. You never know what you're going to get or how it has been treated prior to your purchase.

I haven't given the noise factor much thought before. I'll test some that we spec'd and installed for our office tomorrow using a decibel meter and compare it to my standard side-by-side frigidaire at the house. I'll try and get that comparison up for you tomorrow late in the evening (probably after 9:30).

I'll also check on some distributors up here for you, but that may take a few more days. most of the stuff we spec is much larger and is for projects in all 50 states, so it comes from the closest regional distributor.

Vinny

 

www.dvorsons.com

Ask for Josh.

 

Got some info for you on distributors in our area:
Food Equipment Brokers
3046 N. thompson
Springdale, AR 72764
800-332-4365

At our office, we have (5) True T-35 commercial refrigerators installed. Our decible meter is not working properly at the moment, so I can't give you precise measurements on noise (maintenance guy is trying to get it working and if he does I'll have those for you later today), but my completely subjective observation was that they are no louder than my refrigerator at home.

That said, it was for the refrigerator. The freezer is another story. They are louder. Comparable to standing next to a soda vending machine.

Vinny

 

The sub-zeros always seem to get the worst scores in Consumer Reports for dependability and function...

Thoughts on that?

We were looking at the commercial stoves too ($7000?!?), and they had crappy reviews (not dependable/burn food/cook unevenly/etc)...

 

Agreed. My WOLF commercial came from Dvorsons (above) and takes some serious abuse in our house... albeit nothing like a commercial kitchen would subject it to. The thing just keeps on going. I *think* Wolf is no longer actually "Wolf" and was bought by somebody else... but ours is "pre-buyout", that we bought in the late 90's.

 

My MIL has a Traulsen glass-front commercial refrigerator in her house, which she loves, but they complain about the electricity used. Perhaps its due to the glass front, but it makes sense to comapare the energy use to a standard residential unit.

 

Did you ever purchase the True-brand commercial units? I’m going through the exact exercise. A larger sub-zero is 15k, and separate stand alone True brand fridge and freezer is about half that cost for BOTH combined.

 

I looked into this too when designing my kitchen. Commercial units like True or Avantco Refrigeration (I chose this brand) offer great value and tons of space. The main downsides are noise, higher energy use, and lack of features like panel-ready doors. Still, if function matters more than form, they’re definitely worth considering for home use.

 

What was decided? What about the sound?

One of my sons purchased a True Fridge and Freezer (on casters) that they used as secondary units in their garage. We borrowed them for a couple of months while waiting for our new units to come in (other brand). They were really loud! Didn’t notice so much in the garage, but in the house it was noticeable and irritating.