Mobile Cold Storage vs. Walk In Cooler
Businesses that depend on refrigeration generally have two ways to create larger refrigerated storage: install a permanent walk in cooler or use mobile cold storage.
Both provide temperature-controlled space for food, beverages and other refrigerated products. However, they serve different purposes.
A permanent system becomes part of the building and provides refrigerated space every day. Mobile cold storage can be delivered when additional refrigeration is needed and removed when that need ends.
Understanding these differences can help businesses determine which approach makes the most sense.
Permanent vs. Mobile Cold Storage
The primary difference is permanence.
A traditional walk in cooler is installed within or alongside a commercial building. Restaurants, grocery stores, commercial kitchens and other businesses often rely on these systems for everyday refrigeration.
Mobile cold storage isn't permanently attached to the property.
Instead, Phoenix Cold Storage uses refrigerated trailers that can be delivered directly to a business or event location. The trailer provides accessible refrigerated space while it is on-site and can be removed when it's no longer needed.
Therefore, one solution provides permanent capacity while the other provides flexibility.
Installation and Construction
Adding permanent refrigerated space can be a significant project.
Depending on the building and equipment, installation may involve floor space, insulated walls and doors, refrigeration equipment, electrical work and other construction.
Additionally, the business must determine where the cooler will permanently reside.
Mobile cold storage requires a different approach.
Rather than constructing additional refrigerated space, a refrigerated trailer can be positioned at the property and connected to the appropriate power source.
Consequently, businesses can add cold-storage capacity without permanently altering the building.
Cold Storage Dedicated Space vs. Flexible Space
Permanent refrigeration requires dedicated space.
Once installed, that portion of the building remains committed to cold storage whether the business needs the full capacity every day or not.
For many businesses, that's exactly what they need.
However, refrigeration requirements can change.
A restaurant may have adequate refrigerated space during most of the year but need additional capacity during a busy season. Similarly, a caterer may need substantially more refrigeration for a large event than for normal daily operations.
Mobile refrigeration allows businesses to add space when necessary without permanently dedicating more of the building to cold storage.
Everyday Capacity vs. Temporary Capacity
How frequently you need the additional space is one of the biggest differences between these two approaches.
If your business consistently needs more refrigerated capacity every day, expanding permanent refrigeration may be the appropriate long-term solution.
However, temporary needs are different.
Seasonal inventory, large orders, special events, remodeling and unexpected changes in demand may only require additional refrigeration for days or weeks.
In those situations, a mobile walk in cooler can provide additional capacity without creating permanent space that may sit partially empty later.
Location Makes a Difference
A permanent walk in cooler stays in one location.
That's ideal when employees need refrigerated products at the same facility every day. However, it doesn't help when the refrigeration is needed somewhere else.
Mobile cold storage can go to the location where it's needed.
For example, caterers may need refrigeration at a wedding or corporate event. Event organizers may need refrigerated storage at a temporary venue. Meanwhile, another business may need additional refrigeration at a different part of its property.
Mobility provides flexibility that permanent refrigeration simply wasn't designed to provide.
Ownership and Maintenance
Permanent commercial refrigeration becomes part of the business's equipment.
That means the business is responsible for maintaining the system, arranging repairs and eventually replacing equipment as it ages.
Mobile refrigeration works differently.
Because the equipment is rented for a specific period, businesses can obtain additional refrigerated capacity without purchasing another permanent system.
However, that doesn't mean renting is always the better financial choice.
A business that needs additional refrigeration continuously may benefit from investing in permanent capacity. Conversely, renting may make more sense when the requirement is temporary.
What About Storage Equipment Failure?
Permanent refrigeration can occasionally require repairs.
If a business depends heavily on one cooler, an equipment problem can create an immediate need for another refrigerated space.
This is one situation where permanent and mobile refrigeration can actually work together.
A refrigerated trailer can provide temporary cold storage while technicians repair the existing system. Once the permanent equipment is operating again, the temporary unit can be removed.
Therefore, mobile refrigeration doesn't necessarily compete with permanent refrigeration. It can also serve as backup when permanent equipment isn't available.
For more information about this option, see our Walk In Cooler page.
Comparing the Two Options
Here are some of the primary differences:
| Permanent Walk In Cooler | Mobile Cold Storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Fixed | Mobile |
| Installation | Permanent | Temporary |
| Building Space | Requires dedicated space | Typically positioned outside |
| Best Use | Everyday refrigeration | Temporary or additional capacity |
| Construction | May require construction | No permanent construction |
| Events | Remains at the facility | Can be delivered to many event locations |
| Overflow Storage | Limited to installed capacity | Additional capacity can be added temporarily |
| Equipment Backup | Primary refrigeration | Can provide temporary backup |
Neither option is inherently better.
Instead, the right approach depends primarily on how often, how long and where the refrigerated space is needed.
When Permanent Refrigeration Makes Sense
A permanent system generally makes sense when a business needs the same refrigerated capacity every day.
Restaurants, grocery stores, commercial kitchens and food-service facilities often fall into this category.
If the business consistently needs more capacity than its existing refrigeration provides, expanding the permanent system may be worth considering.
Permanent refrigeration provides predictable, readily accessible cold storage as part of normal daily operations.
When Mobile Cold Storage Makes Sense
Mobile refrigeration becomes particularly useful when the requirement changes.
Perhaps additional space is only needed during the holidays. Maybe a large event requires refrigeration for several days. Another business may be remodeling and temporarily lose access to part of its facility.
Furthermore, unexpected refrigeration problems can create an immediate short-term need.
In these situations, businesses can add refrigerated space without committing to permanent construction or additional equipment ownership.
Two Solutions for Different Refrigeration Needs
A walk in cooler and mobile cold storage aren't necessarily competing products.
Permanent refrigeration provides dependable everyday capacity. Mobile refrigeration provides flexibility when a business needs additional cold storage temporarily or at another location.
In fact, many businesses that use mobile cold storage already have permanent refrigeration. They simply need more space, another location or temporary backup.
Phoenix Cold Storage provides refrigerated trailers that function as mobile walk-in cold storage for businesses throughout the Phoenix area.
If your permanent refrigeration isn't enough for your current needs, learn more about our Walk In Cooler solutions or contact us to discuss your temporary cold-storage requirements.