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Choosing the Right Commercial Refrigeration System

Commercial refrigeration helps ensure food safety and freshness for customers. Choosing the right system involves considering various factors, such as storage capacity and energy efficiency.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the condenser coils keeps refrigerators functioning well. Dirty coils force the compressor to work harder, which increases energy bills and could lead to more serious problems down the road.

Determine Your Needs

The size of refrigeration system that you need is determined by the volume of food or drinks that your business prepares. It also depends on how fast you go through stocks and the size of your property. It’s important to determine your needs to prevent investing in a refrigeration system that is too small or big for the property.

Moreover, the location of your compressor matters, especially for commercial restaurant refrigerators. Compressors can be mounted on the top or bottom of the unit, and each type works best in different environments. For instance, bottom-mounted compressors draw in cooler air and work well for hot spaces and kitchen areas. On the other hand, top-mounted compressors can be used in more open or colder environments.

You should also consider accessibility needs for the refrigerator. Do you want a fridge that is easy for the food preparation staff to reach in your restaurant? Do you need a freezer that can be easily accessed by customers at your grocery store or retail outlet? In addition, you should consider whether your business needs a refrigeration system that can be easily serviced by a commercial refrigeration Geelong

Finally, you should consider your energy efficiency goals for the refrigeration system. Energy-efficient refrigeration systems use less energy, thus cutting down your electricity bill in the long run. Moreover, they are environmentally responsible and can qualify you for tax breaks.

Space Requirements

The amount of cold storage you need plays a major role in the commercial refrigeration system that will best fit your business. This is based on the volume of food you need to store and how quickly you need it cooled. It’s also important to consider how your needs might change over time. For example, if you’re expanding your business, you may need more refrigerated space.

There are a wide variety of different styles of freezers and commercial refrigeration Melbourne on the market to meet the needs of businesses across many industries. The professionals will help determine which style of commercial refrigeration is right for your business. There are even specialty refrigeration systems designed to perfectly meet the needs of particular industries, such as bakery display cases, milk cases, sushi cases, glass chillers, and medical refrigerators.

Another consideration when choosing a refrigeration system is how energy-efficient it is. Refrigeration units that utilize energy-efficient compressors and smart temperature controls are more sustainable and can save businesses on energy costs, reduce emissions, and lower their environmental impact. They also allow businesses to preserve foods for longer, helping them cut down on waste and dependence on single-use plastics. This is an important part of any eco-friendly and sustainable business strategy.

Climate Requirements

If you operate a restaurant or bakery, your refrigeration system needs to be cold enough to keep food and ingredients fresh. You also need to protect yourself from spoiled items and inventory loss. You can prevent many issues by scheduling to regular maintenance and performing simple tasks like reducing condensation in the freezer.

Your refrigerators will have to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means they will consume a lot of energy. You can help reduce this burden on your business and the environment by choosing energy-efficient units. Look for the Energy Star badge to identify models that are around 40% more energy efficient than standard refrigerators.

The type of refrigerator you choose will also impact how much energy it uses. For instance, walk-in refrigerators are typically designed to accommodate a variety of foods and may feature sliding doors. These are great for larger kitchen spaces where you need to access ingredients easily and quickly.

You can also consider a commercial refrigerator with half doors to provide energy savings. The glass in these units is split down the middle, which helps to keep more cold air inside than warmer air.

You should also pay attention to the refrigerant used in your refrigerators. Freon was once the most popular refrigerant but it has been banned because of its link to ozone depletion and global climate change. Instead, new refrigerants with lower greenhouse gas profiles are taking their place. R290 hydrocarbon refrigerants are increasingly common and offer a safe, non-toxic alternative to fluorinated gases.

Energy Efficiency

Commercial refrigeration uses a lot of energy to maintain optimal temperatures for perishable food. This high energy consumption leads to high electricity bills, making it a major financial concern for businesses.

Energy efficiency is a key factor in sustainable commercial refrigeration. Traditional refrigeration systems use harmful refrigerants that contribute to global warming and depletion of the ozone layer, but energy-efficient models uphold product integrity and reduce environmental impact.

In addition to reducing energy consumption, energy efficient refrigeration systems are designed to last longer and require less maintenance. This helps businesses achieve cost savings and minimises the risk of costly breakdowns that can increase energy costs and disrupt business operations.

The best way to maximise energy efficiency in a commercial refrigeration system is to select an appliance with ENERGY STAR certification. These appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines and can help businesses save hundreds of dollars in electricity costs each year. Moreover, many utilities offer rebates on ENERGY STAR refrigerators that further lower the upfront investment.

Businesses should also consider the positioning of a refrigeration unit to maximise energy efficiency. Ideally, it should be located away from dust and debris that can clog the refrigeration mechanism and ensure adequate airflow. Regular cleaning and inspections also help minimise energy inefficiencies by ensuring that the refrigeration system is running properly and not overworking.…

Putting the Power to Your Clay – Choosing the Right Pottery Wheel

A pottery wheel is a large machine that puts clay into motion. It is a crucial tool for ceramic artists, both amateur and experienced.

The best electric wheels come with a lever control. They are easier to use and give you more fine-tuned adjustments than a pedal control.

When looking for a pottery wheel and ceramic supplies, consider the space in which you’ll be working. A large studio may be able to accommodate a larger pottery wheel, but if you’re starting in your garage or basement, a tabletop model will fit better.

The Wheel

As a new potter you’re going to want to purchase a pottery wheel that is the right size for you. It needs to be large enough that you can manipulate the clay easily, but not so large that it becomes difficult to control.

You should also consider the portability of your pottery wheel. You may find it easier to work with a smaller, table top model instead of a bulky floor-mounted pottery wheel. This is especially true if you don’t have a dedicated studio space. Smaller pottery wheels are also much easier to store and take up less floor space.

Once you have your wheel and are ready to begin, make sure that it is clean and free of any grit or debris. Before you turn it on, lubricate your hands by dipping them in water to reduce friction while you work.

When you’re ready to begin, place a ball of clay on the center of your pottery wheel. Gently tap the clay into the middle with your anchor hand to prevent it from moving off center. After you’ve centered the clay, slowly increase the speed of the wheel and make sure that your arms are anchored to your legs to keep them from moving while you manipulate the clay.

It is recommended that you buy potters wheel online as it will give you the most power and responsiveness. There are many good quality pottery wheels available from brands like Shimpo, Skutt, Cowley and more.

The Clay

Clay is a natural, open-ended resource that is incredibly versatile and can support children’s holistic development in many ways. It is one of Froebel’s 20 Gifts and in the last year there has been a real focus from the staff team on the observations that are made by children when exploring this resource, this has been reflected in the high quality of the observations that have been shared.

The type of clay used can impact how the piece will turn out, especially for beginners. There are several different types of pottery clay: earthenware, stoneware and porcelain (technically there’s also ball, red clay, sand, and firing clay but they aren’t commonly used in the art of pottery). Each one is different but most are easy to work with for beginners.

It’s important to have a good workspace to work in, make sure you have an area that can be easily cleaned and that is well ventilated. It should have a sturdy table and a surface that clay won’t stick to, like canvas fabric or small drywall sheets. You should also have a bucket of water within arm’s reach along with a sponge, rib and a wire cutter.

The type of wheel you use will also affect your clay experience. Electric wheels tend to have better motors and can handle more clay than kickwheels. They are also easier to use for beginners as they don’t require the same muscle power. There are various sizes of electric wheels from compact to professional, most are able to center up to 20lb of clay but some can hold more.

The Tools

If you have decided that you’re going to pursue ceramics as a hobby, it’s worth spending the extra money on a quality pottery wheel rather than skimping out on the budget models. Pottery wheels can last for a lifetime with proper care, so choosing one that can meet your long-term needs will pay off in the end.

Electric pottery wheels are the most common choice for beginners, and they come in a variety of sizes to suit your space. If you’re limited on room, look for a small tabletop wheel that can be easily folded away when not in use. Alternatively, you can opt for a free-standing model with a larger diameter and more power.

Another important consideration is the pottery wheel’s clay centering capacity. While the amounts that manufacturers quote for this are not always accurate, a higher capacity means more power and control. The best way to test out a pottery wheel’s power is to ask if it has variable speed control, as this feature can make or break your experience on the wheel.

Most pottery wheels also come with a removable bowl, which makes transferring clay from your hands to the wheel easier and safer. Some also have a lever control that allows you to adjust the speed of the rotation with your fingers instead of using a foot pedal.

The Equipment

When it comes to purchasing your pottery wheel it’s worth doing some research – both online and locally. Most retailers such as Cromartie Hobby Craft will welcome you in to try a variety of different wheels and if you have the opportunity this will help you make a better decision. If you’re  it may be worth bringing someone who is mechanically minded with you to check the condition. A wheel which is not 100% can be a real setback for a new potter and can knock your confidence.

The main thing to consider when choosing a Pottery Wheel is the Motor (Powerhouse) and its Centering capacity. Cheaper wheels tend to have a lower spec which can be a problem if you plan on making larger pieces as they may not have the torque (power) required.

When looking for a Motor it’s worth noting the RPM that it can handle and the number of revolutions per minute it can achieve – a higher figure is always a good thing as it will allow you to work faster and with greater control. Another important consideration is whether the motor has a variable speed function. This is a handy feature to have as it will enable you to slow down and then accelerate the clay as needed, rather than having to manually control each movement.…