While every grocery store layout varies, the infrastructure within is quite similar, especially when it comes to the set points for walk-ins. This blog will outline the typical set points for walk-ins found in grocery stores.
Walk-ins are the backbone of the back room. Each walk-in serves a specific purpose in a grocery store to ensure operations remain safe and efficient.
Typical Walk-Ins Used in Grocery Stores
As critical components in grocery stores, walk-ins are present in every store. The specialized walk-ins used in grocery stores include:
• Bakery (Both coolers and freezers)
• Dairy Coolers
• Meat and Seafood (Both coolers and freezers)
• Produce Coolers
• Beverage Coolers
• Grocery Freezers
Walk-in coolers and freezers allow retailers to manage their perishable inventory. KPS Global manufactures custom walk-in coolers and freezers.
Typical Set Points of Walk-Ins Used in Grocery Stores
Grocery store walk-in coolers and freezers are designed so specific products can be held at specific temperature ranges to ensure optimal conditions for different types of items. Most grocery chains will have walk-ins for each of the following categories
• Ice Cream Freezers
• Standard Frozen Product
• Beer
• Fresh Meat & Seafood
• Dairy
• Produce
• Floral
ASHRAE publishes the industry standards for temperature ranges to be followed in storing food and drinks.
What are the Set Points for Grocery Store Freezer Items?
Our favorite freezer item from grocery stores – ice cream, is stored at different temperatures. Ice cream freezers can vary from -40 to -15 based on the type of ice cream.
The dairy industry—often referenced by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) grades ice cream into 4 categories. Premium ice cream (defined by a higher butterfat content and overrun) needs to be stored at -30 to -40.
The standard temperature for frozen products is -10 to 0. ASHRAE guidelines require meat and seafood to be stored at precise temperature and humidity levels to prevent bacterial growth, cross contamination and optimized storage to prevent dehydration. Meat storage falls into the -10 to 0 however seafood typically is -20 to -4.
Did you know that dry sugar can be stored in a freezer to prevent clumping because sugar does not freeze.
What are the Set Points for Grocery Store Coolers?
Dairy storage also requires strict temperature and humidity levels. Depending on the item (dry or chilled) the temperature varies but ASHRAE standards are referenced in section 21.9 which suggests items are stored at 32°.
Temperature is the driver for the shelf life of produce. While the temp ranges will vary based on the commodity, they are typically 38-42.
What about other Items Found in Grocery Stores like Beer or Flowers?
Beer is stored between 35 and 40 degrees while floral is actually stored between 31 and 33 degrees.
Summary of Set Points for Walk-Ins Found in Grocery Stores
While ASHRAE guidelines are published, the walk-ins range in temperature based on the specific product. The standard frozen product is held between -10 and 0 degrees, while ice cream freezers run even colder, from -40 to -15. Premium ice cream is kept at -30 to -40 degrees to hold its texture.
Just above that is fresh meat and seafood, while they are ideally stored separately, they are both held generally between 28 and 34 degrees, kept as close to freezing as possible without freezing the product to keep it fresh without sacrificing quality.
When storing florals, the temperature runs between 31 to 33 degrees for distribution centers and overnight preservation. However, floral displays are kept at 55 degrees. Sitting between 35 and 38 degrees is Dairy, right around where beer is typically held at 35 to 40 degrees. Produce is stored between 38 to 42 degrees.
Custom walk-in coolers and freezers by KPS Global are built to hold these precise ranges, reliably, across every category, from ice cream and frozen to dairy, produce and floral, giving stores the consistency they need. So while your neighborhood grocery format may vary, the quality and safety of your food should not.
