Salad Bars and Buffet Bars - A Buying Guide

Commercial salad bars and buffet bars are perfect for hotels, restaurants and cafes looking to allow their customers to serve themselves effectively and save a bit of money on staff costs too!

FOOD DISPLAY BARS

Used on top of an existing counter these units accept standard sized gastronorm pans which can be filled and replaced with stock. Both sides of the display are open to allow customers and staff to gain access. The Lincat FDB5-SSG5 is a popular choice.

SALADETTE COUNTERS

Available to buy in a range of sizes these counters are similar to the standard kitchen counter but with the additional gastronorm pans on top of the unit, which allows the staff to serve from the unit or use it to easily prep food with pre-prepared products. These units have refrigerated storage and prep top space which makes them ideal for kitchen use. The Inomak ZN99 two door saladette counter is an example of all these features.

BUFFET DISPLAY

Buffet displays are front of house units usually available in self-service or assisted service which can include island displays such as the Blizzard GB4 cold buffet display. Often available in matching heated and chilled versions these displays have a gastronorm pan area on top and under storage such as the Igloo gastroline GLC-1000.

COUNTERLINE PRODUCTS

If you are looking to customise your food service display then a Counterline counter has a range of solutions. These units are made to order but are on a short lead time with a huge choice of drop-in wells, and canopy styles. The wells can be chilled, heated or ambient, open or closed fronted or even tiered display. The well can be dropped into a counter design or fitted into a rolling base unit for mobile use.

Let's Take A Look At The Blizzard GD1000 Range

Manufactured by Blizzard, a brand known for their low prices, the GD1000SL is a high capacity double door upright fridge with sliding doors. We'll take a look at the features of this fridge below.

The Blizzard GD1000SL double sliding door refrigerated merchandiser is part of the double door display fridges category and also comes in a hinged door version. Both the hinged and sliding door versions have the same features, apart from the different door arrangements. The GD1000 range has a capacity of 1000 litres with a base shelf plus four shelves, this allows you to display high quantities of stock in an attractive manner. This large display fridge is also incredibly easy to install with a standard 13 amp plug plus if you for that added security it features a lock as standard. Branding is also available on the GD1000 but it will delay delivery times. Another great feature of this fridge is that includes internal illumination with a switch and an illuminated canopy to draw your customers in.

BUSINESS TYPES

Cafes, delicatessens, supermarkets, farm shops, convenience stores, schools, coffee shops

SUITABLE FOR

Dairy products, convenience foods and beverages, chilled snacks, salads. (General purpose)

SIZES AND STYLES AVAILABLE

GD1000, GD1000SL

PRODUCT FEATURES

• External Dimensions: H 2035 x W 1205 x D 727mm
• Internal Dimensions: H 1335 x W 1105 x D 590mm
• Capacity: 1000 litres (35.3 cu.ft)
• Standard Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labour
• Standard Delivery: Estimated 3-5 Working Days
• White laminated exterior with grey grille
• White laminated interior
• Illuminated canopy
• 4 adjustable shelves per door
• Internal illumination with switch
• Grey plastic framed glass doors
• Lock as standard
• Branding option available (POA)
• Temp range: +2°C to +10°C
• Fan assisted
• Automatic defrost
• Fully automatic operation
• Digital controller with temp display 
• Refrigerant: R134a
• Power Required: 13 amp plug

BEFORE YOU BUY

Make sure you can get the unit through your door as the standard delivery is to doorstep. Double check the space you will be putting this unit in, if the unit does not fit and you have taken it out of its original packaging then there will be a restocking charge.

Everything You Should Know About The Igloo Tobi Serve Over Counter

The Igloo Tobi serve over counter is ideal for deli, dairy and sandwich produce and has a large attractive curved glass, stainless steel back worktop and refrigerated under storage. With a temperature range of +1°C/+10°C for the deli temperature the Tobi also comes in a meat temperature version which has a temperature range of -2°C/+4°C. 

BUSINESS TYPES

Supermarkets, cafes, takeaways, coffee shops, delicatessens. Meat temperature also available, perfect for butchers. 

SIZES AND STYLES

Deli Temperature:

Tobi 110 1.0m, Tobi 140 1.4m, Tobi 170 1.7m, Tobi 210 2.0m, Tobi 250 2.5m

Meat Temperature:

Tobi 110M 1.0m, Tobi 140M 1.4m, Tobi 170M 1.7m, Tobi 210M 2.0m, Tobi 250M 2.5m

STANDARD FEATURES

• Standard Warranty: 2 years parts only
• Standard Delivery: 3-5 working days
• Static cooling
• Curved glass front
• Front panel with bumper
• Stainless steel worktop
• Digital temperature display
• Temperature range +1°C/+10°C (-2°C/+4°C meat temp.)
• Automatic defrosting
• LED Lighting
• Refrigerated under storage
• Perspex doors
• Front glass defogger
• 13 Amp power supply
• Refrigerant: R134a
• Fully automatic operation

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

castors, different front panel colour, stainless steel shelf with price strip, 20mm granite worktop, LED light meat colour, fixed partition (high glass on decking) per meter, electronic temp, recorder, software & wire, different base panel colour, movable partition (low glass on stand) per meter.

WHAT WE SAY

"With a stylish curved glass front, the Igloo Tobi is the perfect display refrigeration to showcase your chilled products including meat and boost sales"

How To Choose The Right Patisserie Display Cabinet For Your Business

The patisserie display cabinet is the best unit to display your cakes, bakery, deli & confectionery. Here’s a few hints and tips to help you make the right choice when buying a patisserie display cabinet.

STYLES OF PATISSERIE DISPLAY

There are two main types of unit on offer both with useful features to help you and your staff operate more effectively.

SERVE OVER

These unit are similar to the standard serve over counters in many delis, sandwich shops or butchers with a glass front and service shelf but with a few features that make selling cakes and patisserie viable. To make the most out of the display area in the counter extra shelving is added. This can be up to 3 additional shelves, for example the Igloo Beta and Frilixa Tejo feature 1 refrigerated shelf above the deck and 2 ambient shelves above this shelf. One of the best features on these units is the pull out deck. A feature on the Beta, Tejo and Blizzard Omega, the main display deck is a pull out drawer, allowing the staff to serve from the bottom deck without having to reach into the cabinet.

CABINET

The cabinet style of display is taller than the serve over style with a low front and 4 levels of display. Units can have a fixed back for self-service, or a glass fronted display with doors to the rear for staff access. Because these units have more levels of display they tend not to be available in widths bigger than 1.5m. Due to the increased height of around 1.4m this may mean that service over the unit may not be practical, so additional service counters need to be factored into your design.

TEMPERATURES

Although many of the patisserie displays are for chilled use, in many cases these units have matching heated, ambient and humidity controlled units such as the Norpe Aida range. These allow you to extend your offer to customers while keeping the same look and performance of your equipment.

TRADITIONAL

If you are looking to create a more traditional feel to your display then a wood finished cabinet is what you want. Popular choices are the Igloo Jamaica pastry case and Trimco Zurich range. For a traditional serve-over style the Mafirol Safira confectionery display comes in a wood veneer finish.

CONTEMPORARY

Straight glass and coloured finishes have been a recent trend and if you are looking to create a more stylish and contemporary design the straight glass Igloo Gastroline and Interlevin EVOK match this look. Clean lines and crisp finishes can also be found on the ISA millennium range, another straight glass design.

Information About The Lincat SCR785 and SCR1085 Counter Top Display Fridges

Lincolnshire based catering equipment company, Lincat (Lin(coln)cat(catering equipment)). Lincat doesn’t just supply catering equipment, they also supply counter top displays, food display units and upright merchandisers. Which is where the product we’ll be talking about fits in.

The Lincat Seal SCR range of counter top display fridges includes the SCR785 and the SCR1085, both sizes have the same specification with the difference being the width, the SCR785 is 785mm wide and the SCR1085 is 1085mm wide. These counter top display fridges have a temp range of +3/+7°C which is able to store and display convenience foods. They have a standard 13 amp plug connection allowing you easy plug and go installation. The SCR range of display fridges have removable side glass and sleek profile for easy cleaning, as well as a deep top shelf for increased display capacity and base-mounted refrigeration to maximize food sales potential.

BUSINESS TYPES

Restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, supermarket counters, coffee shops, farm shops, convenience stores

SUITABLE FOR

Dairy products, convenience foods, salads, chilled snacks and beverages. (General purpose)

SIZES AND STYLES AVAILABLE

SCR785, SCR1085

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Temperature Range:+3°C /+7°C
• Power Required: 13 Amp Plug
• Heated versions also available
• R404a refrigerant
• “Hot gas” automatic defrost
• Attractive understated styling blends with any setting
• Even, daylight-balanced illumination
• Ambient conditions up to 25°C and 60% relative humidity
• Precise thermostatic control of cabinet temperature
• Digital display and high/low temperature warning
• Easy-change clip-in fluorescent light tubes
• Removable side glass and sleek profile for easy cleaning
• Deep top shelf for increased display capacity – ideal for busy establishments
• Base-mounted refrigeration for all-round visibility to maximize food sales potential

WHAT WE SAY

‘Lincat units are well built and the SCR range display fridge is no different, stylish and high quality this is certainly going to improve your sales.’

BEFORE YOU BUY

Check the space this unit is going in, if the unit does not fit you could be facing a restocking charge.

Need to Know Info About Multideck Chillers

A multideck display fridge is the best way to boost your sales. Essentially a commercial chiller without a door these units are invaluable in busy retail areas allowing your customers to reach in and serve themselves.

MULTIDECK TYPES

Multidecks are broken down into 7 categories based on cabinet size, function and application. These are General Purpose and Dairy, Low Height, Fresh Meat, Slimline, Shutter, Fruit and Vegetable and Remote Refrigeration. Here is each type in more detail.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Ideal for salads, sandwiches, deli, beverages, alcohol and dairy. A wide choice of options and sizes are available such as the Framec Sunny and Mondial Elite Jolly the most popular sellers.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE

Similar to the fresh meat multideck these are designed specifically to retail fruit and vegetables. These cabinets have baskets in place of shelves and the traditional angled mirror at the top of the cabinet to improve product visibility. The temperature range of these multidecks keeps fresh produce at +2°C/+7°C. The Frilixa Marao is a best seller in this category.

FRESH MEAT

These multidecks are designed for the retail of packaged fresh meat making them perfect for butchers shops, supermarkets and farm shops. In terms of design they have the same features as the general purpose multidecks but have a temperature range of between -2°C/+4°C making them able to store and display fresh meat safely.

SLIMLINE

Available with many of the features in the other ranges but with a shallow footprint, around a depth of 600mm. The Mondial Elite Slim range is only 580mm deep. This makes these cabinets great for coffee shops, cafes and delis where large cabinet volume is not essential.

SHUTTER

Fitted with a lockable roller shutter, these cabinets are the perfect solution for petrol forecourts, school canteens and motorway service stations where extra security is needed outside of service hours.

LOW HEIGHT

These smaller open deck chillers are ideal for cafes, coffee shops or small shops or for end-of-aisle use in supermarkets. Typically standing to around 1.4m in height the units are ideal for dedicated products sales.

REMOTE

This refers to the multideck motor being placed on the outside of the building. Ideal for larger scale operations, these units can be multiplexed. Ideal for off licences, convenience stores and supermarkets.

THINGS TO CHECK PRE-DELIVERY

Once you’ve chosen your multideck, the next thing to think about is where the unit will go. It sounds simple but there are a few things to bear in mind to ensure the unit runs well.

YOUR PREMISES

These units are often large and heavy but also very fragile with breakable glass panels. Delivery teams cannot tilt or lie the cabinet down to go through doorways. Check both the height and width of your doorway with the dimensions of your intended cabinet.

FLOORING

Make sure the unit is placed on a level floor. Uneven flooring by a few millimeters can mean the condensate water cannot drain and can lead to water appearing at the bottom of the unit.

ROOM TEMPERATURES

Unless the unit has remote refrigeration all multideck chillers have a maximum ambient working temperature of 25°C. If room temperature is hotter than this, the cabinet has to work harder and the cabinet temperature will rise. Ensure that any cabinet exposed to these higher temperatures has excellent ventilation. This is really important at night where doors and windows are closed allowing temperatures to rise. Allowing airflow around the cabinet at the back and sides is also important so have a gap of at least 50-60mm at the back and sides to allow proper air flow.

OTHER AIRFLOWS

Other sources of air can have a negative effect on the fridge’s performance. The cabinet has an air curtain running across the front of the display to keep the internal space chilled. Placing the unit near windy places such as an open shop door or directly under an air conditioning unit may remove this air curtain causing temperatures inside to soar.

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

If you want a larger sized cabinet (two metres and above) check the electrical supply as some may need a hardwired electrical connection. Check you have space on your mains board and ensure a qualified electrician installs the unit.

OTHER FEATURES

Here are some other features to look out for, which can improve your product display & help you get more out of your multideck chiller. Ticket strips are not a standard on every model but are essential for displaying product pricing. Shelf risers keep products on the shelves. Although the shelves may tilt, risers do not come as standard with every model. If moving your cabinet is a requirement then castors are a necessity. Check the specification as they are not typically offered as standard. The Mondial Elite Jolly SL10 however is supplied with castors. Glass end panels are used for improving the product display.

For the full range of Multidecks click here.

Everything You Must Know About The Inomak CE2140

The Greek commercial refrigeration supplier, Inomak, was established in 1976 and focus around quality and eco-friendly products.

The Inomak CE2140 is an upright storage fridge built from high grade AISI 304 stainless steel. The double door storage fridge is also full of features, it has a lockable door, self-closing, heavy duty castors and an epoxy coated evaporator to avoid corrosion, plus much more. The CE2140 is available in a slimline design, the CE2140/SL, and in a meat version, the CW2140.

Business types: Restaurants, farm shops, cafes, supermarket counters

Suitable for: Dairy products, convenience foods, chilled snacks, salads, fresh meat and beverages. (General purpose)

Sizes and Styles Available: Slimline, Single Door, Meat Version

Product Features:

• Capacity: 1450 litres (51.0 cu.ft)
• Temperature Range: +1°C/+10°C
• Power Supply: 13 Amp Plug
• High grade AISI 304 stainless steel interior and exterior
• 4 2/1 gastronorm shelves per door
• Self-closing, lockable door
• Replaceable gaskets and inset handles fitted as standard
• Heavy duty castors fitted as standard
• Automatic evporatation of condensate
• High ambient Temperature: 40°C
• Epoxy coated evaporator to avoid corrosion

What we say

‘The Inomak CE2140 is a high quality piece of storage refrigeration, full of features and made from high quality stainless steel; you won't go wrong with one of these.’

Before you buy

Please check door width/building access against the external cabinet dimensions before ordering, additional charges will apply for any aborted or unpacked delivery. The slimline version of this is designed to be able to fit through smaller sized doors.

More information

For the full product specification and prices for the Inomak CE2140 click here or call our sales team on 0161 442 9174.