We can't pass up browsing at restaurant supply stores, but the giant scale usually makes those alluring 3-bay sinks and enormous mixers impossible to consider taking home. Not to mention the rewiring that you might need to do. But since we're helping a friend redo their kitchen, this simple industrial fridge with steel trim caught our eye. It's from Arctic Air and it's marketed as a less expensive, smaller unit for restaurants, but when we called the company, they said it would work great in a home kitchen...
This particular refrigerator, made by Arctic Air can be plugged right in any kitchen. It's made from white textured steel instead of stainless (which makes it less expensive), and has four industrial lockable castors on the bottom. Now granted it's not going to have an ice maker or milk storage in the door, but it's a simple, no-frills solidly-made alternative to a typical refrigerator. It's also much less expensive than high-end "commercial for the home" models out there. Keep in mind this is a refrigerator only, so you'd need to supplement with a separate freezer elsewhere in your kitchen, which would cross it off the list for many of you, but if you're renovating your kitchen and have a unique or industrial style, checking out restaurant supply stores and websites might give you some ideas.
>>> Available here for $1,229 (includes shipping)
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Nice! Love the lock. I wonder how it compares to a standard Energy Star-rated fridge in terms of energy consumption.
I have to admit I got a little excited when I considered the idea of pairing it with Arctic Air's "Ice Cream Dipping Freezer" (minus the included acrylic sneeze guard).
Along these same lines, I believe that simple white refrigerators and appliances will come back into style - Nowadays, it's silly to spend an additional 10-15% on a stainless steel-clad model which requires more upkeep for fingerprints, etc and doesn't provide any better performance or energy savings.
ditto that bepsf - i'm stradding the fence now with a stainless range and a white fridge, waiting for the fridge to break because I never buy new until the old one is done for. I like the look of this Arctic Air thing!
ugh...tried to get commercial appliances, what a pain, turns out there are more trouble than they are worth (or is that more trouble than i can afford?) floors sag under weight of appliances, noise level is much higher (much much higher in some cases), different coding for commercial stoves, and forget energy star rated...there is a reason why those overly expensive brands (wolf, viking, etc) make a home version of their commercial stuff...because you cant just use commerical items in your house/apt.
I just jizzed in my pants!
My grandpa had the glass door style of these in his house, two fridges and a freezer unit. his house was 1970's FABALOUS! God, i wish i had more photos... he sold it a decade ago and i can still rememember all the details.
Yeah, I second what i4got said.
Friends of ours have a kitchen with a commercial fridge, and while it works great, it never stops running. Home appliances are easier on the ears as well as the utility bill.
A little off topic - Jeanine, where are the restaurant supply stores around Boston? Recommendations? Thanks!