Imagine you have a catering event coming up somewhere across the country. You are going to need temporary cold storage in order to transport all of your goods and produce to the event because you can’t keep them in cabinets forever. Do you know the best way to do this when you have temperature-sensitive ingredients?
One of the first things people will think about is hiring a refrigerated van. It is assumed that this is the best option out there for transporting food and beverages. While it might suit some businesses, it is not going to be the best choice for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at refrigerated van hire and the other options you have available to you.
Hiring a Refrigerated Van
First of all, let’s consider the good things about hiring a refrigerated van for a special event or occasion. Well, some people will like that they can drive the van anywhere they want. If you have a team, this might be an option so that you can deal with all of the transportation by yourself. Just remember that a driver’s licence and insurance will be necessary. Other benefits of a refrigerated van include being able to work from the back of it at events and you can offer a delivery service. Alternatively, other businesses other than catering can benefit from a refrigerated van. This includes florists who want to give customers fresh flowers.
However, there are a few downsides to a refrigerated van that you have to consider. For example, since your team is driving the van, there is going to be some risk involved. In addition, you will have to pay for fuel and know where you are going to be parking this big van at your destination. If you want to find out what cold storage experts think about refrigerated van hire, click here to read more. Something else you should be aware of is that refrigerated vans do not always have as much storage as you think. Since it is often a converted van, you are only going to have the space in the back since the seats are necessary in the front, as well as other compartments.
Other Temporary Cold Storage Options
If you have now realised that refrigerated vans are not going to be the best for your business, you do have other options out there. So, let’s take a look.
Fridge Trailers
First of all, you can choose to hire a fridge trailer. This can be a good option if you are attending an event. You can have the company transport the fridge trailer to your location and you can refrigerate any ingredients or beverages you need. You can set the temperature and it is lockable too. So, everything is safe and ready for any outdoor area. This is going to give you the storage capacity you require, with shelves inside so that you can organise everything you need. Plus, you do not need to deal with the towing. The trailer can be powered by electricity or a generator. The trailer can be powered by electricity or a generator. If you choose the latter, you can visit any franchise of Generator Supercenter located in your area to avail of a generator that suits your needs.
Freezer Trailers
Do you want to make sure that your ingredients stay frozen? Then you can also choose to hire a freezer trailer. Just as the name suggests, this is a trailer you can use outdoors and at a variety of events. You can keep everything at a set temperature and there are shelves inside so that everything is accessible. You will have extra storage capacity no matter where you are.
Cold Room
If you are working at an event for several days or longer, you can always think about hiring a cold room. Just as the name suggests, this is a space that you can walk into and that you can set to the temperature you need. They can be used indoor spaces like homes, offices, dorm rooms and outdoor spaces like gardens or patios, complete with shelves and floor space. You can lock them too for security. You can power a cold room with a 13 or 16-amp system or if you are not near electrical access, you can use a generator. This makes them versatile for a variety of situations.
All of these options are more affordable than you think too. Often, there is an illusion that a refrigerated van is cheaper. But, it does not normally work out this way. You can get a better deal by hiring a fridge trailer, freezer trailer or cold room for a longer time. The extra storage space can help your business dramatically and it can almost pay for itself.
