When you’re running a commercial kitchen, you need to make sure you’re using your commercial refrigerators in the most efficient way possible. This doesn’t just mean having enough space; it’s also about stocking your fridge effectively so it’s not overflowing, while still making sure there’s enough room for fresh produce to stay at the correct temperature. Here are some tips for how to stock your commercial refrigerators effectively.
1: Stack items strategically
When you’re stocking your commercial refrigerator, there’s no point in piling things randomly; it will end up making the fridge look messy and disorganized. Instead, make sure you’re stacking like-with-like, so all of the foods are kept together and none of them are getting squashed or damaged. When it comes to stacking temperature-sensitive foods, you can stack them in different ways. For example, if you’re stacking milk cartons on their side then you should place a sheet of cardboard under the bottom layer, so they don’t get scratched or dirty. If items are stacked on top of each other, make sure there’s still enough space around them to allow air to circulate.
2: Keep an eye on expiration dates
Some items, especially produce, can expire quite quickly so it’s important that you keep an eye on the items in your refrigerator and remove any which are past their best before date. If you don’t use these foods within a day or two, then they should be frozen and used later.
3: Utilize all available space
It’s tempting to cram your commercial refrigerator full, especially if you’re short on counter space elsewhere in the kitchen. However, this is not a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, items that are jammed into the fridge may damage each other or cause liquids to spill if they’re moved suddenly. This is an issue if the spills are not cleaned up promptly, since leftover food could contaminate other items. Secondly, make sure that you utilize all of your shelves properly so there’s no wasted space. Many refrigerators, such as the ones from Habco make it easy thanks to the carefully placed shelving units.
4: Keep track of inventory
To ensure you’re only stocking the refrigerator with items you’re going to use, it’s a good idea to keep an itemized list of what stock you have left. This will also help you to know when food needs to be re-ordered and which foods need to be used up first. When you have an accurate inventory, it’s also easier to break down your weekly or monthly food costs, too.
Final Thoughts
If you’re the manager of a kitchen, you’ll know how much can go into getting it running smoothly. Use these tips to help you keep your refrigerators stocked, organized, and containing the right products to ensure your customers are happy with their experience.
