Indoor vs. Outdoor Walk-In Coolers

Here at QRC, we are experts in commercial refrigeration. In our more than 50 years of experience, we have found that when it comes to installing a cooler for your restaurant, where to put it is a very important decision. Where your refrigeration unit is located will have a big impact on your kitchen’s overall workflow, so it’s important to get it right. To help you make this decision, in this article we’ll be comparing indoor vs. outdoor walk-in coolers and their relative benefits.

• Indoor Walk-In Coolers- One of the main strengths of indoor walk-in coolers is the ease of accessibility. With the unit built right into your building, you’ll be able to grab what you need with ease. They also tend to be less expensive to install than outdoor ones and require less protection from the weather. On the other hand, indoor walk-ins use a lot of room inside your facility, so if your space is limited, we at QRC suggest that you consider an outdoor unit instead.
• Outdoor Walk-In Coolers- As mentioned, one of the most common reasons to choose outdoor walk-in coolers is that they free up more space inside. They come in two main varieties: freestanding and butted. A freestanding walk-in cooler is entirely separate from the main building, so they are more flexible in terms of size, but also less convenient to access. In contrast, butted walk-in coolers are butted up against the exterior of the building on one or more sides, meaning that they’re easier to access but may limit their size.

If you still aren’t sure what type of refrigeration unit is right for your restaurant, you can reach out to our team at QRC for more personalized advice.