What is the difference between a Freezer and a Refrigerator? Which one should you choose to suit your needs?

Whether you are opening a restaurant, cafe, selling fresh food, or want to keep your ingredients fresh at home, having a “freezer” that is suitable for your use is very important. Because if you choose the wrong type, it may cause your food to spoil quickly or waste electricity unnecessarily.

หลายคนสงสัยว่า “ตู้แช่อาหารสดแบบไหนดี?” ตู้เเช่ มีแบบไหนบ้าง? อุณหภูมิเท่าไหร่ถึงจะเหมาะกับเนื้อสัตว์ ผัก ผลไม้ หรือการแพ็คอาหารแช่แข็ง? วันนี้เรามาไขทุกข้อสงสัยเกี่ยวกับตู้แช่ ตั้งแต่ประเภท การใช้งาน ความแตกต่างของ freezer และ refrigerator รวมถึงการดูแลรักษาแบบง่ายๆ แต่ใช้ได้นาน

How many types of refrigerators are there? What is each type used for? What type of food is it suitable for? What temperature should be set?

ตู้แช่ไม่ได้มีแค่ “แช่เย็น” กับ “แช่แข็ง” เท่านั้น แต่มีหลากหลายประเภทที่ออกแบบมาเพื่อรองรับการใช้งานที่แตกต่างกัน เช่น ร้านสะดวกซื้อ ร้านขายอาหารสด การ ส่งอาหารเเช่เเข็ง หรือการใช้งานในครัวบ้าน

1. Refrigerator

• Suitable for: Soaking vegetables, fruits, milk, drinks, cooked food.
•  RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 1°C TO 7°C
•  Description: It is a cabinet that is commonly used in homes. It comes in both single and double door types.

2. Freezer

• Suitable for: freezing meat, seafood, frozen ready-to-eat food.
• RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: -18°C TO -25°C
• Characteristics: Available in both glass top (Chest freezer) and upright freezer.

3. Display Cooler/Freezer

• Suitable for: drinks, desserts or products that need to be displayed
• RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE: 1°C TO 10°C (DEPENDING ON PRODUCT)
• Features: Has a glass door, can see the products, suitable for shops.

4. Wine cooler / Special cooler

Ideal for: Storing specialty beverages such as wine, breast milk or special foods.
Recommended temperature: 5°C to 18°C (adjust according to the product)

• If you are freezing fresh food to cook, such as meat, pork, or chicken, choose a freezer.
• If you are storing general food items at home, such as vegetables and drinks, choose a refrigerator.
• If you are running a shop, choose a display refrigerator. It will look convenient and attractive.

What is the difference between a freezer and a refrigerator?

Many people are confused about the difference between a “refrigerator” and a “freezer”. Let’s take a look at an easy-to-understand explanation.

Refrigerator

• Temperature 1c-7c
• Suitable for vegetables, fruits, cooked food.
• Has an automatic defrost system
• Normal capacity

Freezer

• Temperature -18c-25c
• Suitable for meat, frozen food
• Most of them need to be defrosted themselves.
• Larger capacity, supports long-term storage

If you want to freeze a lot of meat and want to keep it for a long time without worrying about it spoiling, you should choose a "freezer" because the temperature is lower and can preserve food for several months.

Factors to consider before buying a refrigerator

Before you make a purchase decision, ask yourself a few questions: “What are we soaking?”, “Where are we using it?”, and “How much space do we have?” Here are some key factors:

1. Type of food to be stored

• Freeze fresh food/meat → Select freezer
• Freeze vegetables and fruits → Choose a refrigerator
• Refrigerate drinks → Select a display refrigerator

2. Size of available area

• If your home or shop has limited space, you may need to choose a vertical or two-door model.
• If you have a lot of space, a chest freezer can help you store a lot of things.
  

3. Budget

• Refrigerator prices range from a few thousand baht to tens of thousands baht, depending on the brand, size, and additional functions.

4. Special functions

• Automatic defrost system
• Separate temperature control zones
• Energy saving technology

Things you should know about refrigerator maintenance

To make your refrigerator last longer, you should take good care of it from the first day you use it:

1. Clean regularly.

• Clean the freezer once a month to prevent odor and mold.

2. Defrost regularly (if there is no automatic system)

• Thick ice will prevent the refrigerator from cooling and waste electricity.

 3. Plug it in correctly.

• Use a plug that matches the house power. Do not connect multiple devices to reduce the risk of fire.

 4. Check the temperature periodically.

• To ensure that food remains at a safe level and does not easily spoil.

Choosing the best type of fresh food refrigerator depends on what type of food we will store, where we will use it, and how much space we have. If you store a lot of fresh food, you should choose a freezer. But if you store general food or food in the house, a regular refrigerator is enough.

No matter which one you choose, don't forget to look at the temperature, capacity, and energy-saving system because the refrigerator is an electrical appliance that must be on all the time. Choose well, use it for a long time, and it will really save money.

The right freezer doesn’t just keep things cool…it also helps your business run smoothly and your food is safer!