Refrigerated tables are essential devices in professional kitchens and all environments where maintaining food at controlled temperatures is a priority. These appliances combine the functionality of a work surface with the ability to keep food and raw materials consistently fresh or chilled. This allows kitchen operators to have everything at hand without frequent trips to storage areas. Widely used in restaurants, pastry shops, catering workshops, and bars, refrigerated tables are fundamental for preserving food quality and safety.
In this article, we at Everlasting will explore the components and operational principles of these appliances, providing a clear overview for anyone interested in understanding their use and functionality.
Main Components of a Refrigerated Table
Refrigerated tables consist of a variety of components that work together to ensure proper refrigeration. Let’s analyze them in detail:
- External Structure: Typically made of stainless steel, this provides durability, hygiene, and ease of cleaning. It also serves as a solid and durable worktop for kitchen operators.
- Insulating Materials: Placed between the internal and external walls, these materials are crucial for maintaining a consistent internal temperature. They are usually made of high-performance polyurethane.
- Compressor: The heart of the refrigeration system, it circulates the refrigerant gas, enabling the system to transfer heat from the table’s interior to the external environment.
- Evaporator: This component absorbs heat from inside the refrigerated table through circulating gas and transfers it outside, keeping the food at the desired temperature.
- Condenser: Located outside the table, the condenser releases the heat absorbed from the products stored inside. It is vital for completing the refrigeration cycle and preventing system overheating.
- Fans: These facilitate heat exchange between the product and the evaporator and help distribute cold air evenly within the refrigerated compartment, ensuring a uniform temperature throughout.
- Control Panel: This device allows users to adjust and monitor the table’s internal temperature, ensuring food is stored under ideal conditions.
- Seals: Essential for preventing cold air leaks, these seals ensure airtight door closures, improving energy efficiency and preserving refrigeration quality.
Operating Principle of Refrigerated Tables
The operating principle of refrigerated tables is based on a refrigeration cycle involving several stages. The process begins with the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature. The compressed gas is then pushed toward the condenser, where it releases the heat absorbed from the table’s interior into the external environment, transforming into a high-pressure liquid. This process is facilitated by air circulating around the condenser, cooling the gas and enabling condensation.
Once the refrigerant gas becomes liquid, it passes through an expansion valve, where its pressure and temperature drop significantly. This allows the liquid to evaporate once it enters the evaporator. In the evaporator, the low-pressure, low-temperature mixture absorbs heat from the refrigerated table’s interior, returning to a gaseous state. During this process, the ventilation system releases cold air within the refrigerated compartment, maintaining the food at the appropriate temperature.
The refrigerant gas, now in gaseous form again, is reabsorbed by the compressor, ready for another cycle. The process is regulated by a control panel, which continuously monitors the table’s internal temperature, activating or deactivating the compressor to maintain optimal refrigeration levels. This continuous cycle ensures a stable internal temperature, allowing proper food preservation.
Conclusions
Refrigerated tables are indispensable tools in professional kitchens and food workshops. Understanding their components and operating principles can help you choose the right model and ensure proper use and maintenance, thereby extending the appliance’s lifespan and preserving the quality of stored food.
At Everlasting, we pride ourselves on being a trusted provider of professional refrigeration equipment, offering durable and reliable solutions to meet the needs of industrial kitchens, food workshops, and catering establishments. Our range of refrigerated tables is designed to deliver efficiency, longevity, and high performance. To meet the diverse needs of the market, we have developed two main lines of refrigerated tables: the Basic and Professional models.
The Basic model is the perfect choice for those seeking a functional and robust appliance with an essential design and practical finishes. This model is ideal for kitchens where daily operations demand a durable, easy-to-maintain product without compromising quality and reliability.
The Professional model is designed for those who desire a high-end product that combines superior performance with refined aesthetics. With elegant, meticulously crafted finishes, this model is the ideal solution for open kitchens or food workshops where appearance and design play a significant role alongside functionality.
Contact Everlasting today to find the refrigerated table best suited for your business!