Your Walk-in Cold Room FAQs Answered

Your Walk-in Cold Room FAQs Answered

Walk-in cold rooms are essential to many industries, providing safe, temperature-controlled environments for storing perishable goods. Whether you’re in hospitality, healthcare, floristry, or food manufacturing, cold rooms are key to preserving product quality and meeting regulatory standards.

In this guide, we answer the most frequently asked questions about walk-in cold rooms—how they work, how to maintain them, and why they're indispensable for your business.

❄️ What Is a Walk-In Cold Room?

A walk-in cold room is a large, refrigerated storage space designed to chill or freeze goods at specific temperatures. Think of it as a commercial-grade refrigerator—but built for scale.

Cold rooms are used in:

  • Restaurants & cafés

  • Catering and food prep businesses

  • Supermarkets

  • Florists

  • Medical and pharmaceutical storage

⚙️ How Does a Cold Room Work?

Here’s a breakdown of the key components that make your cold room function:

  • Compressor: Pressurises refrigerant gas.

  • Condenser: Cools hot gas into liquid.

  • Expansion Valve: Controls the refrigerant flow and expands it into vapour.

  • Evaporator Coils: Absorb heat to cool the air inside.

  • Fans: Circulate cool air uniformly throughout the room.

  • Insulated Door: Maintains internal temperature and prevents thermal leaks.

👥 Who Uses Walk-In Cold Storage?

Anyone who needs to store bulk perishable items safely and efficiently. Common users include:

  • Pop-up food stalls

  • Meal kit and food delivery services

  • Restaurants and catering companies

  • Cooking schools

  • Pharmacies and clinics

  • Flower wholesalers

🔧 How Do I Maintain a Cold Room?

Regular cold room maintenance ensures optimal performance and safety. Here's what to keep in check:

  • Maintain consistent temperature levels

  • Check for door seal leaks

  • Clean spills immediately

  • Schedule routine servicing

  • Keep ventilation clear

  • Inspect for frost or mould build-up

Neglecting maintenance can result in spoilage, contamination, or equipment failure.

🧊 What Are the 3 Main Types of Food Storage?

  1. Dry Storage: Items like flour, rice, and canned goods stored at room temperature.

  2. Refrigerated Storage (0–8°C): Perishables like dairy, meats, and fresh produce.

  3. Frozen Storage (-15°C and below): Long-term storage of meats, prepared meals, and frozen goods.

🌡️ What Temperature Should a Cold Room Be?

  • Ambient/Room Temperature: 15°C–25°C (used for non-perishables)

  • Standard Cold Room: 2°C–8°C (ideal for perishables)

  • Walk-In Freezer: -15°C or colder (for long-term frozen storage)

Adjust based on what you're storing—accuracy matters.

🧠 Why Are Cold Rooms Important?

Cold rooms are crucial for:

  • Extending product shelf life

  • Meeting food safety and medical storage standards

  • Reducing waste

  • Freeing up space in the kitchen or store

  • Saving energy with efficient bulk storage

💨 Do Cold Rooms Need Ventilation?

Yes. Proper ventilation prevents:

  • Condensation

  • Air quality issues

  • Mould growth

A lack of ventilation encourages bacterial and fungal contamination—bad for health and products.

🥶 Do I Need PPE in a Cold Room?

Yes, especially for extended periods. Recommended PPE includes:

  • Insulated safety boots and thermal socks

  • Thermal gloves and overalls

  • Head protection (beanies or helmets)

  • High-visibility gear for safety in larger cold rooms

Short trips may only require a thermal jacket and gloves.

🧺 What Can I Store in a Cold Room?

Walk-in cold rooms can store more than just food. Common items include:

  • Fresh produce, dairy, and meats

  • Prepared and frozen meals

  • Beverages

  • Flowers

  • Pharmaceuticals and vaccines

  • Laboratory reagents

  • Chemicals requiring temperature control

📦 How Should I Organise My Cold Room?

A well-organised cold room boosts efficiency and prevents spoilage. Best practices include:

  • Grouping items by food type

  • Labelling shelves and containers

  • Using FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation

  • Keeping meats and fish on lower shelves

  • Avoiding overcrowding

  • Using inventory apps or magnetic shelving systems

⚠️ How Do I Prevent or Treat Mould in My Cold Room?

Mould is a serious concern in cold storage. Prevent it by:

  • Maintaining proper ventilation

  • Removing cardboard and absorbent packaging

  • Cleaning surfaces regularly

  • Promptly fixing door seal issues and leaks

  • Using plastic curtains for frequent-access rooms

  • Reporting water ingress immediately

If mould is present, isolate the area and schedule a professional clean immediately.

🧊 Final Thoughts

Walk-in cold rooms are vital assets for any business handling perishable goods. With the right temperature, layout, and maintenance strategy, your cold room can:

  • Save space

  • Reduce waste

  • Improve product safety

  • Cut operating costs

Need help installing or maintaining your cold room?

📞 Contact ACRO Refrigeration Today!

From installations to servicing and upgrades, we help Queensland businesses stay cool, compliant, and in control.

📞 1300 227 600
📧 workshop@acrorefrigeration.com.au
🌐 Or book a service online