Mobile refrigeration is vital for many industries as it ensures business continuity. In this article, we will explain why it is so important and the segments that require it the most.

What is Mobile Refrigeration?

Mobile refrigerated Trailer Hire For All Industries is the provision of a temporary Refrigerated trailer either with a chiller trailer or freezer trailer to organisations requiring additional or replacement temperature-controlled facilities quickly. For ease of delivery and setup, the units are manufactured as towable trailers in a range of sizes ensuring that the right unit can be on-site with the customer with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency.

All refrigerated trailers are delivered and commissioned by a mobile service representative and collected at the end of the required period as part of the service.

Who needs this type of service?

For a wide range of industries from food storage to pharmaceuticals, maintaining a certain temperature of stock is vital to successful business continuity and ensuring compliance with industry-specific storage legislation. Having a contingency solution on standby – whether you are planning a kitchen or laboratory refurbishment or have an emergency breakdown of your own equipment – is imperative to ensure that stock is not compromised, standards are maintained and the service that you deliver to your clients is entirely uninterrupted.

How can you ensure you can get the help that you need when you need it the most?

Utilising a mobile refrigeration service is both cost-effective and flexible. Refrigerated trailer rentals to be brought to your business, is a stress-free way of ensuring you can continue with your business activities without interruption.

How are trailers delivered and set up?

Trailers are delivered, set up on stable surfaces, powered up and set to your exact specification so that they are ready to be used immediately. They can be delivered with internal shelving and racking in place in accordance with each customer’s individual requirements, to help you maintain a standardised working space whilst in use. Once the trailer is no longer required, a mobile service representative will collect at the end of the agreed rental period.

How are the trailers powered?

Depending on your location requirements, the trailers can either be connected to an existing 13A power supply or, where this option is not possible, can be powered by a standalone generator that can be provided as part of the rental contract.

Which industries frequently benefit from these temporary chilling and freezing solutions?

Refrigerated Trailer Hire for Hotels, Restaurants, Schools and Nursing Homes.

It is imperative that temperatures are accurately maintained in line with the Food Standards Agency requirements within the food industry. Regardless of whether your own equipment is being replaced, has suffered a fault or you need extra storage space for a large event, a freezer or chiller trailer is the perfect low cost, stress-free solution.

Refrigerated Trailer Rental for Hospitals, Doctors Surgeries and Laboratories.

The strict guidelines on temperature control of pharmaceuticals, both in terms of transportation and static storage must be maintained at all times. Offering temperature recording facilities and dual compartment chillers and freezers IceBox trailers assist in every way to keep stock at the correct temperature to maintain industry guidelines.

Chiller Trailer Hire for Food Distributors

Storing food at the correct temperature is essential to shelf life and overall quality. Chiller and freezer trailers allow you to manage your food storage safely and cost effectively, regardless of whether you have an emergency need with failed equipment or simply require extra help during your busiest time periods.

Freezer Trailer Hire for Fruit and Vegetable Suppliers

Keeping freshly picked stock at the correct temperature and having the means to freeze produce immediately after picking is imperative to this industry success. Having flexible and temporary cooling and freezing solutions on hand either at all times or specifically for fluctuations in stock production throughout the year, helps to maximise profit and reduce the risk of lost output.

Having a temporary cooling and freezing solution on hand for both planned and unplanned situations gives peace of mind to business owners within these industries and their clients alike, whilst allowing you to seamlessly maintain industry standards and work confidently and consistently within specified guidelines.

As a Contract Customer of IceBox, you will enjoy the benefits of contract rates, central billing, credit terms (subject to status), central reservations and a service level agreement to provide that extra peace of mind. One point of contact for all your temporary refrigerated storage requirements.

Comprehensive, planned commercial kitchen maintenance is vital to help identify problems before they become disasters.

In an effort to try and ensure maintenance tasks are accomplished on a regular basis, here’s a checklist, broken down into handy sections so you can be sure every area gets the attention it needs. If you work down this at least once per month, then you can be sure that your kitchen is always going to be able to keep up with the demands of your hungry clientele.

Refrigeration

1. Clean the evaporator and condenser coils; ensure the evaporator coil is clear of ice.
2. Empty the fridge and clean the interior
3. Check you are not overstocked. If you have more food items than you have available space, then it’s worth looking into Refrigerated Trailer Hire options to better meet your peak business needs. The more heavily stocked your supplies are, the higher the chance of wastage.
4. Check that thermometer are installed and working correctly and maintain a record of-of the current thermometer reading for future comparison.
5. Check that all door seals are secure to enable stable temperature to be achieved.

Dishwashers

1. Run the dishwasher through a cleaning cycle, adding a little vinegar to help improve any issues with odour.
2. Check the floor and surrounding areas for any water leaks.
3. Check that you can open the drain covers easily and that they are running clear without any obstructions.
4. Clean all equipment, such as rinse arms and nozzles. Keep an eye out for any limescale buildup; remove this if seen.
5. Check that the incoming water temperature is accurate.

Everything Else

With the above taken care of, you can be confident that the two areas most prone to issues in a commercial kitchen are working smoothly. However, you’re not quite finished with your maintenance yet…

1. Check that gas fires are burning a steady flame, with no flickering. The flame should also be a clear blue; if the flame is yellow or green, then you should call a professional for further examination.
2. Check that you can open all doors, hinges, etc. without any issue. If you find that any areas stick, or do not open correctly, remedy the situation immediately. Even the slightest delay can upset the smooth running of a commercial kitchen.
3. Ensure that all your fire control methods are operational and in-date.
4. Visually inspect all wiring to all ovens and other electrical appliances.

If you examine these areas on a monthly basis, you can be sure that your kitchen — and all of its equipment — is able to meet the demands of your hungry customers.

A sound risk management policy should include both preventative and reactive measures. Ensuring that equipment is functioning in accordance with business and HSE requirements will assist in the prompt identification of any potential issues.

Having a clear reactive policy will enable any downtime and disruption to the business to be minimised and customer satisfaction to be maintained.

A support contract with IceBox Rental can alleviate the stress involved in dealing with any potential refrigeration problem.

With events on the brink of happening again and kitchens all over the country preparing to reopen, we have created this guide to help remind you of the basic food hygiene rituals for your commercial kitchen.

Cross-contamination

Cross-contamination is probably the most essential aspect of any food hygiene rule. With allergies and people with other dietary restrictions or lifestyle choices, you have to be more careful than ever to ensure that food stays apart. 

Whether having a temporary kitchen set up at a wedding, festival or event or if you are part of a large restaurant chain, the rules remain the same. If you cannot prevent cross-contamination, then signage should be up for your customers to see. 

Safe food storage

Our previous article on ‘how cold should your commercial refrigerator be’ outlines the levels you require to successfully and safely store your food goods. Depending on the time of year and which type of fridge or freezer you are using, you may find that food can quickly become warm if it is not stored correctly. 

Stacking food in a regular fridge or freezer can mean that the temperature levels can fluctuate substantially. If you are constantly opening and closing the fridge door, this can also adjust the temperature. Suppose you are taking a generic fridge or freezer to a busy event. In that case, you may want to consider hiring a refrigerated trailer as they are built for high usage and the constant opening and closing of doors. We have an in-depth article outlining the differences here. 

Thawing food

There are various ways in which you can defrost food safely. Once it is out of the freezer and the process of defrosting has begun, you should never put the food back in. This will allow harmful bacteria to settle. 

• Fridge defrosting is probably the least likely way you will want to defrost your food if you are working for an event or wedding. It can take a full day to defrost your products in a fridge, and therefore, it can be very time restricting and not a viable option for many places but your home. 
• Coldwater thawing is the most common way to defrost food in a commercial kitchen. Food should be placed either in a sealed, leak-proof plastic bag or each particular type of food put into the same container to defrost together. 
• Microwave defrosting is the fastest way to thaw food. But unless you plan to cook the food instantly after the thawing process, then do not do this. The food may have already been partially cooked or at least warmed to a level that can be prime for the spread of bacteria. 

Fridge and freezer maintenance

If you are hiring a commercial fridge or freezer, you do not need to worry about the maintenance, as we will do that ourselves. However, if you are working for an event, you will need to disinfect and thoroughly clean your fridge at the end of the day. This will help to prevent any bacterial contamination, which could lead to food poisoning. 

If the event runs over a few days, the same will need to be done with all utensils, crockery and cutlery.

Washing stations and sinks

Sinks, taps, draining boards, and such should all be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected at the end of every shift. All surfaces surrounding the sink should also be cleaned thoroughly.

Why hire a refrigerated trailer or refrigerated van for your event?

Suppose you want to lower the risks at your event, wedding or festival. In that case, you can hire a professional refrigerated van that will enable you to safely store all of your foods produce at a commercial level. This can help give you peace of mind and allow you to focus your attention on satisfying your clients and customers’ needs instead of worrying about your food hygiene and refrigeration needs.

If you have an event coming up and wish to discuss your need, please contact us for a chat. 

It can be a difficult decision to make when you are planning an event or thinking about your commercial refrigeration requirements when starting a business. Do you just go to a department store and pick up a cheap fridge that will hopefully keep your food safe for a day, or longer, or do you need to purchase/hire a more professional option? 

The difference between a commercial refrigeration and a domestic fridge is somewhat substantial. But do not fret, we are here to hopefully answer your questions and make that decision-making process easier. 

Opening and Closing

This is one of the first questions we would ask. How often will you be opening and closing your fridge or freezer? 

Domestic Fridge – Domestic refrigerators are built on the pretence that they will not be opened all the time. Domestic fridges will do a fine job of keeping your food fresh as long as they are not overused. 

Commercial refrigeration – With their high powered compressors and fans, commercial fridges are built for increased traffic. Opening and closing the doors will not make much difference to the temperature, and the food stored inside will be considerably safer.

Build of a Commercial Fridge

Is your fridge going to last? 

Commercial Fridge – Commercial refrigerators are built to withstand a busy kitchen or business. They are considerably sturdier than a domestic fridge.

Domestic Fridge – If you are constantly opening and closing a domestic built fridge’s doors, you may find that wear and tear becomes a problem quite quickly. 

Food Stacking in Commercial Refrigeration

Can you have too much food in your fridge?

Commercial Fridge – With its high powered fans and compressors, as mentioned above, a commercial fridge can hold a lot more food in it without complications. This means you can stack food and be prepared for busy periods without worrying that it will affect your fridge’s temperature. 

Domestic Fridge – If you stack too much food in a domestic fridge, you may find that parts of it may become warmer than others. This means that some foods, which are farthest away from the compressor and fan, may decompose considerably faster than the rest. In addition to this, it can also overload your refrigerator’s condenser, which can lead to burning out. 

When it comes to choosing whether to buy or hire a refrigerated trailer or refrigerated van for your event, wedding or other commercial requirements, knowing that everything is of a professional standard will give you peace of mind. 

We hope that this small checklist has helped you decide and understand your needs a little better.

However, if you still have more questions or concerns about what you need to do, please contact our experts who will be glad to help you. 

After a year of struggling with openings, closings and unknowns, things are starting to open up, and the idea of being able to roam once again has got us all very excited. 

With all the flights abroad being challenging to attain, an influx of internal travel is happening. People are starting to adventure into parts of the UK they never had before, which is excellent news, but why?

Environmental Impact

With fewer planes in the air and fewer cruise ships in the ocean, we allow our planet to have some respite from the pollution that these modes of transport can give. Not only that, but it’s allowing us to experience the wonders that the UK has to offer, which we can sometimes ignore in our search for summer sun hideaways. 

This summer’s tourism is expected to come from our own shores with many coastal areas being rammed with us Brits finding our local beaches much more appealing than travelling abroad and into a potential quarantine period.

What does this mean for the hospitality industry?

This is fantastic news. After the slow period within the industry and with many having to close up shop for months, it looks as though it will be a busy summer for all within hospitality. 

Campsites, hotels and Air BnB’s are already reported to be at capacity for the summer months. This means that all the restaurants, cafes and event locations can expect to be busy, very busy.

The pros and cons of this busy period

Although we, for one, are delighted to be out enjoying life, food and coffee again, there are pros and cons for this busy period.

Cons

• Demand – Have you considered if you have enough refrigerated storage space for this busy period?
• Space – With social distancing still a rule of life, have you prepared your spaces to ensure maximum capacity while following regulations?
• Staff – Have you hired enough seasonal staff to ensure you can keep up with demand?

Pros

• Busy – There will be so many tourists visiting the area. This will help businesses recoup some of the losses incurred during the lockdown.
• New and small businesses can thrive. A lot of people are looking for local smaller businesses.
• We are allowed out to eat, drink and be merry once again.

How can we help you prepare?

Ensuring you have the storage space for all the extra food, chilled and frozen goods could be incredibly beneficial. But if you don’t want to spend the money purchasing a new refrigerated trailer, then don’t fret; we have a large fleet of chiller and freezer trailers available for short and long term hire.

Hiring either a chiller trailer or a freezer trailer is the perfect solution to all of your additional refrigerated storage needs.

Here is what we can offer you.

• An initial quote and phone call to understand your needs and ensure we provide you with the best options.
• Both freezer and chiller trailers available depending on your needs.
• Various sizes of the refrigerated trailers to suit your requirements.
• Shelving can be added to the trailer should this be required.
• Complete set up with delivery and collection service. 
• The trailers can be run from a mains power supply or generator.

Refrigerated Trailer Hire can be the most cost-effective way to deal with the impending summer influx. Still unsure? Why not give us a call to discuss your exact needs and requirements and enable us to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

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