All About Fridge Hire

Commercial Fridge Hire: Everything You Need To Know About Fridge Hire
When planning an event or running a commercial kitchen, one of the most essential pieces of equipment you’ll need is a reliable refrigerator. Whether you’re managing a large-scale catering operation or a one-off event, commercial fridge hire ensures your stock stays safe, fresh, and compliant with food safety standards.
Refrigerators are often the most heavily used equipment in any professional kitchen. They store and preserve valuable stock, making them a vital part of food safety and efficiency. So, when considering fridge hire, it’s really important to understand your options and choose the right type of refrigeration equipment for your specific needs. If you’re ticking off your event planning checklist, then safe and reliable refrigeration equipment hire should be top of your list.
What are the different commercial fridge hire options?
There are several types of commercial fridge hire options, each tailored to different kitchen setups and event types. Knowing what each type offers can help you make the best choice.
Reach-ins
Reach-ins are the most common choice for fridge hire. These are powerful, high-capacity versions of domestic fridges, built to handle the demands of a professional kitchen. Available with glass or solid metal doors (either hinged or sliding) these units offer excellent storage and accessibility. Typically located in the prep area, reach-ins provide quick and easy access for chefs and kitchen staff.
Walk-ins
Walk-in fridges provide a large, dedicated chilled space that staff can walk into. These are ideal for bulk storage and energy efficiency, as you can shut the door while retrieving stock. Placing walk-ins near delivery areas allows easy unloading of goods, which can then be redistributed throughout the kitchen.
Cold servery units
Cold servery units are absolutely perfect for fast-paced food prep environments like salad bars or delis. They keep ingredients chilled and within easy reach, making food assembly more efficient. Most come with an under-counter fridge for additional storage, offering a practical solution in compact spaces.
Under-counter refrigeration
Under-counter fridges are another popular commercial fridge hire option. These units sit neatly beneath prep counters, offering direct access to frequently used ingredients. They’re especially useful in smaller setups such as food trucks, kiosks, and bars, but are equally valuable in larger kitchens to complement walk-in or reach-in units.
Some under-counter units even feature built-in worktops, giving you a dual-purpose surface for prepping and storing in one.
Bar fridges
Bar refrigeration is essential for venues serving drinks, especially where ice and chilled beverages are in demand. These compact fridges come in various styles, including those with sliding top-access doors, perfect for tight or busy bar areas.
Food safety and why fridge hire matters
Reliable refrigeration is essential to keeping food safe. A malfunctioning fridge can put your stock and your guests at risk due to the potential for bacterial growth. That’s why commercial fridge hire from a trusted provider is so important.
Depending on your event or setup, you might also need freezer hire. We offer both upright and chest freezers, helping you find the perfect fit for your location and space.
When hiring equipment from Plato, you can be safe in the knowledge that any electrical equipment is PAT tested before it’s hired out. Plato is also a member of the SafeHire Certification Scheme, which means we have a proven competence in safety, health, environment, and quality. This ensures you’ll receive the highest possible quality of service and catering equipment hire.
With Plato, you’re not just hiring equipment, you’re getting peace of mind.
When hire catering equipment from Plato, you can be safe in the knowledge that every fridge and freezer is cleaned, checked, PAT tested and prepared in accordance with the Code of Practices before every single hire.
Explore our commercial fridge hire range
Contact us today to find out more about our full range of commercial fridge hire options. Whether it’s for a one-day event or a long-term kitchen setup, we’ll help you find the right fridge hire solution to keep your event running smoothly.
