For efficient, low-maintenance food storage, Beverage-Air refrigerators are the restaurant equipment buyer’s first choice. We’re proud to offer quite a few different models here at ShortOrder.com — and thanks to our Low Price Guarantee, you get the assurance that you’re getting your order for the best price. What follows are a few Beverage-Air refrigerators we offer, but there are plenty more to choose from — along with Beverage-Air spot freezers, kegerators and sandwich prep — at our online store.

Beverage-Air Refrigerator CRG24-1

First up is the Beverage-Air Refrigerator CRG24-1. This is a one-door refrigerator with a white door, though the black can be ordered as extra. This Beverage-Air refrigerator is heavy-duty and earth-friendly, and the door is self-closing. This piece of restaurant equipment boasts a five-star rating and an Editor’s Choice rating from ShortOrder.com.

Beverage-Air Worktop Refrigerators

Looking for Beverage-Air worktop refrigerators? Yep, we’ve got those. The Beverage-Air worktop refrigerator WTR27A also has five-star and Editor’s Choice ratings thanks to it being outstanding and well-made. This unit has self-closing doors and is described as great “bang-for-the-buck.”

Get more space with the Beverage-Air worktop refrigerator WTR60A, which has two sections and is also five-star and Editor’s Choice-rated. Need even more space? The Beverage-Air worktop refrigerator WTR72A has three sections.

Beverage-Air Self-Serve Display Refrigerators

If your store or restaurant calls for self-serve display refrigerators, Beverage-Air has you covered. Slick, durable and reliable, the Beverage-Air self-serve display refrigerator BZ13 has a heavy-duty construction with advanced air-flow management and a uniquely designed air curtain cabinet.

These are just a few examples of the many, many quality Beverage-Air refrigerators we offer at ShortOrder. We also have an impressive selection of other restaurant equipment like Vulcan ranges, Manitowoc ice machines, Frymaster fryers and more.

There are many different things to consider when buying a new reach-in refrigerator or commercial freezer for your restaurant. Following are some tips on how to make the best choice for you.

What kind of refrigeration system?

There are 2 main types: Top-mounted and Bottom-mounted.

Top Mounted

Top mounted refrigeration systems have the compressor on the top of the unit and are the industry standard. They are more energy efficient because the hot air discharge does not enter the refrigerated area and the work zone stays cooler as well. The increased air circulation around the compressor increases the compressor life. Top mounted units also don’t take up refrigerated storage area. The only down sides of the top mounted refrigeration is that you lose additional storage space on top of the unit and if you have a very low ceiling, the hot air might be hazardous.

Bottom Mounted

Bottom mounted refrigeration usually is on economy units. They run cooler and consume less energy, but the increased efficiency is reduced due to hot air entering the refrigerated area and work zone. It does take up some of the refrigerated storage area as well, leaving the bottom shelf higher. You do have the advantage of added storage space on top of the refrigerator.

Expansion Valve vs. Cap-Tube

This is the way your refrigerator controls how much cooling power is needed. Refrigerators on or near cook lines, where the door is opened and closed often, have higher temperature demands. The best bet in that case would be a refrigerator with expansion valve-type refrigeration. Less expensive, cap-tube refrigeration is designed for refrigerators that are mostly closed for storage and holding.

Reach-In Refrigerators: What Size?

Remember, reach-in refrigerators are big! Measure your doors, hallways and installation space to ensure that your new refrigerator will be able to make it into your business. There are many models to choose from — Beverage-Air, Delfield and Traulsen are all offered at ShortOrder.com — so you’re bound to find one that will be a great fit for your restaurant.

Reach-In Refrigerators: Doors

The biggest benefit to having doors that open 180 degrees is that large trays and pans are able to slide in and out easier. Look for swing doors that have a 90 or 120 degree stay-open feature. Slide doors can be useful in tight spaces, but only one door can be open at a time.

Full height doors will allow for more storage space, but are also less energy efficient. Half height doors will have less storage space, and therefore, be more energy efficient.

Reach-In Refrigerators: Casters

For easier cleaning and sanitizing, casters are highly recommended. Not only do they allow for mobility, more health departments are strongly recommending them. Some models come with them standard, but they are considered options on others.

Picking a new reach-in refrigerator is a big decision. It’s a hefty expense and you want to be sure you have the right one for your business. Here are some things to consider before making your purchase: First of all, what kind of refrigeration system do you need? There are two main types: top-mounted and bottom-mounted reach-in refrigerators.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Top Mounted

Top-mounted refrigeration systems have the compressor on the top of the unit and are the industry standard. These reach-in refrigerators are more energy efficient because the hot air discharge does not enter the refrigerated area and the work zone stays cooler as well. The increased air circulation around the compressor increases the compressor life. Top-mounted units also don’t take up refrigerated storage area. The only down sides of the top mounted refrigeration is that you lose additional storage space on top of the unit and if you have a very low ceiling, the hot air might be hazardous.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Bottom Mounted

Bottom-mounted refrigeration usually is on economy units. These reach-in refrigerators run cooler and consume less energy, but the increased efficiency is reduced due to hot air entering the refrigerated area and work zone. It does take up some of the refrigerated storage area as well, leaving the bottom shelf higher. You do have the advantage of added storage space on top of the refrigerator.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Expansion Valve vs. Cap-Tube

This is the way your reach-in refrigerator controls how much cooling power is needed. Reach-in refrigerators on or near cook lines, where the door is opened and closed often, have higher temperature demands. The best bet in that case would be a refrigerator with expansion valve-type refrigeration. Less expensive, cap-tube refrigeration is designed for reach-in refrigerators that are mostly closed for storage and holding.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Size

Remember: reach-in refrigerators are big! Measure your doors, hallways and installation space to ensure that your new reach-in refrigerator will be able to make it into your business.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Casters

For easier cleaning and sanitizing, casters are highly recommended. Not only do they allow for mobility, more health departments are strongly recommending them. Some reach-in refrigerators come with them standard, but they are considered options on others.

Reach-in Refrigerators: Doors

The biggest benefit to having doors that open 180 degrees on a reach-in refrigerator is that large trays and pans are able to slide in and out easier. Look for swing doors that have a 90 or 120 degree stay-open feature. Slide doors can be useful in tight spaces, but only one door can be open at a time.

Full-height doors will allow for more storage space, but they are also less energy efficient. Half-height doors will have less storage space, and therefore will be more energy efficient. For the lowest prices on reach-in refrigerators, visit ShortOrder.com.

Beverage-Air Refrigerator Resource Launched

Beverage-Air refrigerator buyers will now be able to learn more about their refrigerators – and get some great information – just by stopping by ShortOrder.com. Beverage-Air products now have their own informative blog on the restaurant equipment website that will inform restaurant equipment buyers how to enjoy their Beverage-Air refrigerator and get the most out of it for years and years to come. The Beverage-Air refrigerator blog is at beverageair.shortorder.com.

Beverage-Air and ShortOrder Keep Cool Together

Beverage-Air and ShortOrder.com have had a long and wonderful relationship and the blog is a sign of ShortOrder’s commitment to this top restaurant refrigerator manufacturer. ShortOrder.com has been carrying the refrigerator manufacturer’s products for years and considers Beverage-Air to be one of the restaurant equipment buyer’s first choices for efficient, low-maintenance cold food storage.

Beverage-Air Means Quality

Beverage-Air, the largest supplier of commercial refrigeration, was founded in 1944 by Herman Buffington in the small town of Spartanburg, South Carolina. The headquarters still exists in Spartanburg and is where all the state-of-the-art designs created by Beverage-Air are researched and designed.

Beverage-Air is best known for its reach-in merchandiser coolers, freezers, refrigerators and self-contained beer dispensing units. However, Beverage-Air is quickly becoming the leader in pizza and food preparation units, school milk coolers, and deli and floral display units.

Beverage-Air’s vision is “to be the global preferred supplier of quality equipment to the foodservice, beverage and related industries by being pro-active and innovative employees who are measured by our customers’ satisfaction, our company’s reputation and profitability.”

Beverage-Air Refrigerator Blog Just Tip of Iceberg

ShortOrder is very excited to be adding the Beverage-Air refrigerator blog to the information that ShortOrder already provides to restaurant owners and their equipment buyers. From the Buyer’s Guides on everything from steamers to ice machines to the “What’s Cookin’?” newsletter and restaurant equipment blog that keeps you up-to-date on the restaurant industry, ShortOrder.com has got all your bases covered.

Taste of Chicago in 28th Year

The Taste of Chicago is an indicator of summer for many Illinois residents. Considered the world’s largest food festival, the Taste of Chicago promises not to disappoint.

The Taste of Chicago, considered the second largest tourist attraction in Illinois, runs for ten days starting this year on Friday, June 27th and running until Sunday, July 6th. The Taste of Chicago, now in its 28th year, sees over 3 million festival attendees in its Grant Park location in downtown Chicago. There are over 70 restaurants and food vendors that participate each year in this free-admission food festival.

Taste of Chicago Brings World Class Fare

All types of cuisine can be found at this much anticipated food festival. Kitchens all over Chicago prepare ethnic and exotic foods, family favorites and Chicago specialties to feed all the hungry festival goers. Then the restaurants line up along the park with their portable ovens and refrigerators in hopes that their food creations are chosen as the Taste of Chicago favorite.

Taste of Chicago More Than Food

Food isn’t the only thing that you will find at this Mid-West food festival. You will also find a 5K Race for the Taste with proceeds going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, as well as top-notch entertainment.
The free entertainment at the 2008 Taste of Chicago food festival includes the likes of Chaka Kahn, Stevie Wonder, Plain White T’s, Gomez, Old 97’s, Bonnie Raitt and many others.

Taste of Chicago Participants

Now if you are a Chicago restaurant that wants to participate in the Taste of Chicago, you are a little late for this year. The applications were due back in February. However, contact the Illinois Restaurant Association to make sure that you are on the list to receive an application for the 2009 Taste of Chicago.

And if you do get in, make sure to give us a call and we will get you all the restaurant equipment you need to prepare your festival cuisine.