Cold Storage Warehouses: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to storing inventory, a one-size-fits-all approach is rarely appropriate. There are many different demands that various types of finished products and raw materials have. For instance, perishable goods are often temperature-sensitive. Meaning, they cannot be stored where the temperature fluctuates. The answer to this issue is cold storage warehouses.
Cold storage warehouses can maintain these necessary low temperatures thanks to complex refrigeration systems that consist of various components. A major element of most cold storage warehouse systems is coolant. Coolant is a substance that absorbs heat from products to reduce their temperature.
Within the refrigeration systems, this coolant cycles between various compressors, condensers, receivers, separators, and evaporators. These elements work together to keep the temperature of the facility and the products at the desired low levels.
Why are cold storage warehouses necessary?
The concept of cold storage is as old as time. While the early days of cold storage used rudimentary ice boxes, we have seen great strides thanks to the development of sophisticated tech. Tech that has enabled much more effective and efficient means of keeping things cool.
Today, there is a higher demand for cold storage than ever before. The demand for fresh and frozen foods only continues to grow along with the global population. Because of this, the health and safety standards for such products are at an all-time high.
Perhaps, the most common sector taking advantage of cold storage is the food and beverage industry. However, many industries rely on cold storage warehouses to keep their products safe. These include: pharmaceutical companies, chemical product manufacturers, and tech companies.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic was just one of many instances when cold storage was absolutely vital. Why? Because to keep the COVID vaccines viable, they were stored at specific temperatures.
In addition, recent increases in globalization and advancement in transportation logistics have led to an increasingly interconnected world. In order to ensure that products travelling around the world reach their destinations in optimal condition, cold storage is critical.
What are the different types of cold storage warehouses?
Since not all products and materials require the same type of refrigeration, there are various types of cold storage warehouses. The main differences between these types of facilities lie in their construction and the temperature levels they can maintain.
The following are two primary types of cold storage warehouses:
Refrigerated Storage Warehouses
Refrigerated storage warehouses in Ontario, are commonly referred to as “chill houses”. These “chill houses” have temperatures ranging between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius.
They store fresh produce, dairy products, and other perishable products. Those that need a cold environment to maintain their quality, avoid spoiling, and extend product life (but that do not require freezing).
Frozen Storage Warehouses
The other main type of cold storage facility is the frozen storage warehouse. These operate at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius and keep frozen foods, frozen. This is necessary to prevent bacterial growth and maintain the optimal state of these products.
Although freezing food does not necessarily eliminate harmful microorganisms, it does initiate a state of stasis that prevents their further growth.
What are the main challenges of cold storage?
Since products kept in cold storage are sensitive to temperature changes, one of the biggest challenges is product inflows and outflows. So, it is necessary to use various tools and devices to ensure that the required temperatures in cold storage warehouses remain constant.
Sensors detect and correct changes in environmental temperature and dehumidifiers are used to control and reduce ice formation caused by humidity. In addition, secure airlock systems are commonly installed in cold storage warehouses to minimize temperature changes.
How Wills Transfer Limited Can Help You Maintain Cold Storage for Your Inventory Items
If your inventory consists, at least in part, of temperature-sensitive items, and you need reliable refrigerated storage in Ontario, Wills Transfer Limited has you covered. We offer refrigerated storage that will accommodate and maintain your products at their required temperatures.
Our cold storage facility features mechanical refrigeration, allowing it to maintain air temperatures below 4 degrees Celsius. We monitor the temperature of this facility via our security system and the use of thermographic data.
Whether you are storing raw materials or finished products we have a solid understanding of how to store temperature-sensitive items correctly. Thus, we make it a priority to ensure our refrigerated storage never fluctuates away from optimal temperatures.
Our cold storage warehouses are perfect for storing everything. Food and beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, books, artwork, and heritage materials. So, if you have such products, and you want to maintain their quality and integrity long-term, you can count on us.
If you are uncertain what the optimal storage temperature is for certain products, someone from our team of experts would be happy to offer guidance.
For more information about how we can help you with refrigerated storage in Ontario, or to learn more about the wide assortment of our other warehousing services, call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here.
