Which Refrigeration to Choose - Remote or Self-Contained?

 Every business operating in the food industry, whether it’s owning a small cafe, managing a restaurant, or a supermarket, requires proper refrigeration systems. However, choosing a refrigerator, whether it's a deli case, deep freezer or a heated display case can be confusing due to the myriad of options available out there. There are two types of deli cases, in particular, popular among restaurants, cafes, i.e., remote and self-contained.

Now, there is much confusion afloat regarding the pros and cons of choosing either deli case for a business based on its usage. Hence, let’s take a quick look at their functions to best determine which one is the more suitable choice for your business.

Remote Refrigeration System
These commercial refrigerators are designed with a condensing unit fitted outside of the refrigerator itself. It is made up of a fully insulated cold storage unit with built-in evaporators. However, the condenser and compressor are located in an entirely separate unit. These units require to be installed in basements or roofs, away from the hustle and bustle of customers. Thus, these refrigerators are an ideal choice for displaying a large amount of food in a limited space such as in a supermarket, deli, or similar food service establishments where ventilation is an issue.


Self-Contained Refrigeration System
A more popular choice among commercial kitchens is the self-contained refrigeration systems. These refrigerations have the entire system, i.e., from the condenser to evaporator, all built into its cabinet. The location of the condenser may differ as per the make and model, however, the evaporator is always on top of the unit. This explains why almost 90% of commercial kitchens prefer self-contained refrigeration systems simply for their ease of use.


Which is better?
Evidently, self-contained refrigeration refrigerators are a popular choice because of their simple plug-and-run functionality. Additionally, self-contained refrigerators have lower installation and maintenance hassles. However, the chances of a hefty electricity bill and heating emitted by the systems inside your cafe or deli are higher.
On the other hand, remote refrigeration systems may appear to be a huge task in terms of installation, the daily operations are noiseless and cost-efficient in the long run.

Hence, ask yourself what are your goals in terms of product display and space allowance, and the choice would be evident. Marc Refrigeration offers high-quality deli merchandise like self-contained and remote refrigerators in various interesting designs and colors to best suit your establishment. So, explore our collection online or reach out to our team to get more information.

What are the different types of refrigerated merchandisers?

 Deli merchandisers are essential for foodservice establishments such as bakeries, convenience stores, and delis to stock various food items. These can either be refrigerated or non-refrigerated, depending on your specific business requirements. Refrigerated deli merchandisers are used not only to display the food items but also to attract more customers and prevent the food from spoiling for longer. So, if your deli merchandiser is not providing enough cooling or the food is spoiling before its expiry while staying in the refrigeration unit, it might be time to replace it. But before making a decision, you might have to decide what type of refrigeration unit you should buy.

Following are the various types of refrigerated merchandisers:

Reach in refrigerated merchandisers
These are only used to store packaged goods, cakes, pastries, and other baked goods. They usually either have swing or sliding doors to allow customers to easily reach in and grab the food items they want to buy. These are often used in convenience stores, delis, and gas stations.

Enclosed-top display cases
These display cases are used to display food items, such as salads, cakes, pies, beverages, seafood, or raw meats. They often have a curved or angled glass front and top or side lighting. They are available in various widths, heights, and models to fit your specific storage needs.

Open-type merchandisers
These types of merchandisers are designed to encourage impulse buying. As these types of merchandisers are designed to be easily used by customers to grab what they like, they cannot refrigerate warm food items. Thus, the items must be cold before storing. These are used to display pre-packaged goods.

Counter high-merchandisers
This type of freezer is great for displaying your most popular ready-to-go food items. They usually come equipped with adjustable shelves. Counter high-merchandisers are designed to keep the temperature at a specific optimal temperature to keep the food items fresh and attractive for buyers.

Walk-in refrigerated units
These are commercial refrigerated units that are most frequently used in big food establishments such as commercial restaurants. These are designed to store bulk quantities for food and provide large storage space.

1, 2, or 3 glass door refrigerators
These are a top choice for delis, convenience stores, cafes, bakeries, and small restaurants. These are pretty durable and usually have double pane glass doors. They are used to display packaged or sealed food items.

So, if you are considering buying a new refrigerated deli merchandiser such as a reach-in, walk-in, or counter high-merchandiser, get in touch with our team for the best deals.