Types of Cold Storage: Choosing the Best Cold Room
In the world of growing technology, consumers expect high-quality products. As regulatory standards for product safety also continue to rise, cold storage rooms become an integral aspect of big and small-scale industries. However, investing in such cold rooms is often a big decision as there are many types of cold storage available for storing the goods that are perishable.
This comprehensive blog will discuss what cold storage rooms are and the type of cold storage. We also will walk through each key factor to consider when you are choosing the best cold room in the market. With this in mind, let's get started!
What is a Cold Storage Room?
Before we jump into the details regarding the type of cold storage room, let's first understand what a cold storage room means. Typically, cold storage rooms, also known as cold storage refrigerated rooms, are nothing but large warehouses designed to store perishable goods at controlled temperatures to preserve freshness and viability.
Not only do these cold storage rooms prevent wastage, but they also help in stockpiling a certain amount of products that can be distributed even during a shortage. Now, these products can be anything from foods to pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
Types of Cold Storage Rooms
So far, we have only discussed the general gist of cold rooms; now, we have shifted our focus to types of cold storage solutions that vary depending on several factors. These types can be categorized based on one primary factor, which is the temperature maintained inside the cold storage room. That said, the main classification of the cold storage solution based on the temperature includes.
1. High-temperature cold storage
In high-temperature cold storage, the temperature is maintained above 10°C. This type of cold room is suitable for perishable goods that require cooling but not freezing, such as fresh produce, beverages, and some dairy products. Within this temperature, the cold room maintains the quality and freshness of the products.
2. Medium-temperature cold storage
The temperature inside the medium-temperature cold storage ranges between -10°C and +10°C. They store the items that require cooling but not deep freezing. Dairy products, processed meats, and certain pharmaceuticals are suitable to store here in order to strike a balance between preservation and extending the shelf life of the goods.
3. Low-temperature cold storage
Low-temperature cold storage is operated at very low temperatures, which are usually below the freezing points. The specific temperature in these facilities falls under the range of -10°C and -30°C. That’s why they are best suited for the items that need to be in the frozen state for a longer period of time. These rooms are typically utilized for storage of frozen foods, including meat, seafood, and desserts.
4. Ultra-low temperature cold storage
While ultra-low-temperature cold storage is the cold storage room designed to maintain a temperature range that falls under the range of -30°C to -40°C, this extremely low temperature slows down the degradation process. Thus, they are used for conditions to remain intact and viable, which include pharmaceutical supplies and specialized frozen food items.
5. Cryogenic cold storage
Last but not least, cryogenic cold storage is fitted with extreme temperatures. They are utilised to preserve biological samples, stem cells, and gene therapy. This type of cold storage preserves the viability from production to reaching the consumer's end. They are operated at temperatures between -150°C and below.
These are some of the core types of cold storage. The above-mentioned cold storage is based on the temperature. However, they can be further classified on the other parameters such as product storage, material of construction, and volume of product to store.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cold Storage Room
After knowing about the idea and types of cold storage, let's talk about several factors influencing their selection. The factors primarily depend on the specific requirements that you look for in the desired cold storage rooms. We have prepared some of the key factors here to consider for best performance and product integrity.
1. Size and storage capacity
The first thing that you need to take into account here is determining the volume of the product processed and the storage requirement duration within the cold storage room. Although increasing the storage capacity means growth in the future, it is advisable not to oversize, resulting in higher operational costs and energy consumption.
2. Location
Another important factor to consider while selecting a cold storage room is also location. This means the facility that is closer to consumers minimizes the cost of transport, thereby saving money on deliveries. That said, your cold storage warehouse must not be far from transportation hubs such as highways, airports or sea ports.
3. Temperature Control
It goes without saying cold storage rooms need to be installed with the best temperature control equipment. This includes thermostats and sensors to activate or deactivate depending on the temperature of the room. In case the temperature exceeds the specific temperature range, then it informs the system to cool down and vice versa.
4. Insulation
Most of the cold storage rooms are constructed with highly insulated walls and floor materials such as foams, panels, fiberglass, or polyurethane come into play here. The suitable insulation in place can help reduce the heat transfer between the interior and exterior of each type of cold storage room. You can also minimize the temperature swing with PVC Strip curtains or air curtains when doors are opened.
5. Backup Power Source
Aside from having a good temperature control system and insulation, it is also essential to consider the backup power source in the form of a generator, UPS, and inverter in your cold storage room. They help you with uninterrupted temperature control even when there is an outage of electricity. With the right backup plan, it reduces the risk of temperature fluctuation, which could make the product ineffective and hazardous to use.
6. Regulatory Compliance and Standard
Not just keeping the energy cost down, make sure that you are familiar with local zone regulations and necessary permits while running the cold storage. The company that needs to store and distribute the perishable products needs to adhere to the strict regulations from HACCP and FDA regulations, complying with the law. This, in turn, keeps you out of legal trouble and reduces the loss of money in the scenario.
7. Energy Efficiency
No matter the type of cold storage to choose from, these facilities are in continuous need of energy regarding refrigeration and temperature regulation. As a result, the installation comes with higher price tags. Thus, it is advisable to plan ahead to choose a cold storage warehouse that offers a cost-effective and dependable source of energy around the clock. This again plays a vital role in helping you reduce the operational cost over time.
8. Cost and Finance
As mentioned earlier, cold storage rooms employ a combination of insulation, refrigerated systems and control mechanisms, meaning you require a higher amount of investment. That’s why it is a good idea to do thorough research on potential expenses, particularly the cost of staff, electricity bills and frequent maintenance. By doing this, you understand the feasibility and Return on Investment (ROI) to choose one that fits into your budget for your cold room solution.
9. Process of Usage
Whether it be ripening, blast chilling, blast freezing or storage, each process comes with a specific temperature and humidity. Putting it into perspective, the ripening chamber offers the conditions for ripening, while storage room provides conditions to store at a constant temperature to prevent spoilage. Blast freezing and chilling bring down the food temperature to preserve its texture, quality, and nutritional value. Overall, choosing usage process of the facility is also important for the cold room design and its functionality.
By now, you should be aware that each type of cold storage has its unique features and cost along with the storage needs. Do note that the ideal type ensures energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and quality assurance of stored perishable products.
Nepcool: Your Trusted Partner for Cold Room Solutions
As a leading cold storage room manufacturer in Kathmandu, Nepal, Nepcool is ready to provide state-of-the-art cold room solutions to all your storage needs and expectations. We assure you that perishable products are preserved under the best conditions to maintain their quality and value. The reasons why you should choose us as your trusted partner for a cold room solution include.
- Nepcool’s cold room solutions are built from high-grade materials, which ensure durability and lifelong performance.
- Our goal is to reduce the consumption of energy by utilizing advanced technologies such as quality compressors, state-of-the-art insulation and intelligent temperature management systems.
- We take advantage of the latest IoT equipment for automated alert systems and monitoring for environmental conditions, which include humidity and temperature.
- At Nepcool, we help your organization comply with standard regulations. Non-compliance could lead to monetary loss and even damage to the reputation of your company.
- We specialize in building customized cold room solutions depending on the specific temperature requirement of a particular industry.
- We prioritize the quality and efficiency of our product. That is why we are committed to providing you with highly durable, productive and sustainable products to redefine the standards in cold chain logistics.
- Nepcool provides you with cold storage solutions that dont just meet but exceed your expectations.
With years of expertise and experience, we take pride in building superior yet affordable cold room solutions. So, choosing Nepcool as your one-time investment is the best decision you can make, regardless of the type of cold storage.
Conclusion
Cold storage rooms are temperature-controlled insulation facilities. These rooms are designed to store perishable goods and reactive chemicals. As a result, many industries are able to easily save costs in the longer run while keeping up for regulatory compliance. However, before investing in the type of cold storage, you must do thorough research on the factors that influence your final decision. By doing this, you select one that is best fitting for your needs.
In this blog, we provide you with each type of cold storage room. We hope you find this helpful. If you seek further insight on various aspects of cold storage, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you are looking for the best cold storage room manufacturer, then contact Nepcool. Thank you for reading till the end!
Other Related Blogs:
- Cold Storage Room Cost in Nepal: Get Insights
- Cold Storage for Vegetables and Fruits: Benefits & Importance
- Safeguarding Health : The Role of Cold Storage in Pharmaceuticals
FAQ Types of Cold Storage: Choosing the Best Cold Room
1. What is the best type of cold storage?
Depending on your business needs of the stored perishable items and space available, some of the best types of cold storage are as follows.
- High-temperature cold storage
- Medium-temperature cold storage
- Low-temperature cold storage
- Ultra-low cold storage
- Cryogenic cold storage
2. How many types of cold rooms are there?
There are several types of cold rooms, and they can be categorized based on many factors, including the type of product stored, the material of construction and the storage process involved. Whatever the types to categorise, the types based on operating temperature are as follows.
- High-temperature cold storage rooms
- Medium-temperature cold storage rooms
- Low-temperature cold storage rooms
- Ultra low-temperature cold storage rooms
- Cryogenic cold storage rooms
3. What is the cold storage method?
The cold storage method is nothing but a cold storage process to store temperature-sensitive products in a facility that is designed to maintain a specific controlled temperature using refrigeration.
4. What is the purpose of cold storage?
The purpose of cold storage is to store a large quantity of perishable goods in an environment under the outside temperature and extend their shelf life. They also ensure the safety of the goods by preventing the growth of bacteria and pathogens that can cause foodborne illness. Several industries from agricultural, pharmaceutical and poultry industries make use of these room facilities.
5. Which type of cold storage is best for vegetables?
The type of cold storage that is best for storing vegetables includes.
- Medium Temperature cold storages which have a temperature range between -10°C to +10°C. Generally all the fruits and vegetables are stored at a temperature above 0°C
6. What are the components of cold storage?
In general, the following breakdown are the components of cold storage.
- Insulated panels for the ceiling, walls and floor in order to prevent heat transfer.
- The cooling system comes with compressors and coils to eliminate heat.
- Temperature and humidity control system
- Doors equipped with seals, air curtains and strip curtains to reduce the outside air infiltration.
- Surveillance and regulation systems such as thermostats
- Lighting, shelving units and additional storage systems