Cold Storage Containers 101: Everything You Need to Know
Is your business seeking cold storage solutions? Cold storage containers provide comprehensive solutions for businesses across industries, allowing them to conveniently store temperature-sensitive items and prevent them from perishing. Learn more about the types of cold storage containers, their most common uses, and the benefits they offer in our complete guide.
Types of Cold Storage Containers
Various types of cold storage containers exist, and the best one for your business depends on your specific needs. Explore four common cold storage container categories and the needs they best suit.
Refrigerated Containers
Refrigerated containers can be used as both refrigerators and freezers, as they can maintain temperatures below 0°F and up to 85°F with Carrier cooling systems. These systems are all-electric and require either 230V 3-phase or 460V 3-phase power. With secure lockable double doors on each end and robust aluminum floors, the units offer complete security and durability. This type of container is available in 20’ and 40’ varieties, and the 20’ option even fits in a parking space, making it easy to find space for this compact unit.
Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
Walk-in coolers and freezers can maintain temperatures between 0°F and 40°F. They are cooled with electric Polar Temp cooling systems, using 220V single phase power with a standard 50-foot power cord. These units have a single door with a strip curtain and are NSF approved for food storage. This is an ideal option for restaurants and catering with small-scale store needs.
Refrigerated Trailers
Refrigerated trailers offer the ideal solution for food manufacturing and distribution. These large, 40-foot units are delivered on wheels and can be backed into a loading dock, allowing for easy loading and unloading with a pallet jack or forklift. Refrigerated trailers are all-electric and require 230V 3-phase or 460V 3-phase power. Similar to refrigerated containers, they have lockable double doors on one end and aluminum floors.
Insulated Containers
Insulated containers are “non-working” refrigerated containers. Although these used units are sold in “as is” working condition, they still have the same insulation as an operational refrigerated container, meaning they offer better temperature stability for the container’s contents. They have the same lockable double doors as a standard refrigerated unit and durable aluminum or steel composition.
Common Uses for Cold Storage Containers
Cold storage containers have extensive uses due to their versatility and convenience. Some of the most common use cases for these units include:
Food and Beverage
The food and beverage industry has various uses for cold storage containers of all types. Refrigerated containers and trailers offer the ideal solution for manufacturers shipping their perishable products, and these units allow them to safely transport their goods without the risk of spoiling. Walk-in coolers and freezers are also excellent options, especially in the restaurant business, as they can be easily set up outside your restaurant for additional inventory needs.
Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines
Various medications and vaccinations need stable temperatures to maintain efficacy and meet important standards, allowing these pharmaceuticals to help patients effectively. To transport or store these goods, they must be in a controlled environment without temperature fluctuations, which is easily achievable with cold storage containers.
Temperature-Sensitive Equipment
Many pieces of equipment across countless industries cannot withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, or climate fluctuations. To prevent these highly valuable pieces of equipment from sustaining damage in transit or while in storage, utilizing insulated containers can prevent extreme changes in temperature that can harm your items.
Disaster Relief
Disaster relief efforts involve the transportation of food and medication. These temperature-sensitive items need a controlled environment to ensure they don’t spoil. Transporting in refrigerated containers or storing in walk-in coolers can provide improved results for disaster relief.
Floral Arrangements
To store floral arrangements without the flowers wilting, refrigerated storage is a must. These containers can keep flowers fresher for much longer, preventing losses to a florist’s inventory and ensuring customers receive the most beautiful arrangements possible.
Events and Catering
Events and catering require secure, convenient storage of food and beverages, keeping items fresh and cold. Walk-in coolers and freezers allow caterers to easily store their foods and drinks on-site, conveniently catering these events and expanding their storage space.
Advantages of Cold Storage Containers
How can cold storage containers benefit your business? These containers offer the following advantages.
1. Increases Shelf Life
When your business uses cold storage containers, you can effectively increase the shelf life of the contents. These cold containers keep your goods fresher for longer, decrease financial losses, and ultimately help your business operate more effectively.
2. Prevents Spoilage
Keep food, beverage, medications, and more in the best condition possible with cold storage containers. By reducing the risk of spoilage, you can ensure your business meets industry requirements and prevent the loss of valuable products.
3. Cost-Effective
Cold storage containers provide a cost-effective solution to businesses across industries. These containers offer the most return on investment, delivering the best option for keeping your goods refrigerated without unnecessary costs.
4. Simplified Transportation
The process of transporting your perishable goods is made much easier with the help of a cold storage container. Refrigerated trailers, in particular, are the perfect option for transporting various food and beverage items, as they are made for easy loading and unloading.
Find Your Perfect Cold Storage Container
Cold storage containers deliver convenient, versatile solutions to store temperature-sensitive goods of all types. Ready to find your business’s perfect cold storage container? Count on Container Technology, Atlanta’s trusted container provider since 1988. With a comprehensive selection of top-tier containers delivered by an experienced staff of container experts, you can enjoy convenient storage solutions for your business.
With Container Technology, your business can find the ideal refrigerated container for your needs. Request a quote online or call us today to learn more about our selection.