Cold Storage Units 101: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to storing your business’s stock, there are a variety of storage types that you could potentially use. Typically, the type of storage that you require will depend on the size, type, and number of items. Additionally, your stock items may require cold storage.
When your needs involve storing perishable or other sensitive goods, you must find a temperature-controlled storage unit. Why? To maintain the integrity, shelf-life, and quality of these items.
In such cases, the best kind of storage facility to use is one that has cold storage options. This option functions similarly to a standard warehouse since your items will likely still be stored on racks or storage bins. However, the main difference is that the room where these racks or bins are stored is always kept within a specific temperature range.
If you care about keeping your products in the conditions they require, a cold storage unit in Ontario is worth looking into.
What kinds of items require cold storage?
Cold storage is often mistaken to be necessary for food items exclusively. However, quite a few different types of items can benefit from this type of storage and many items necessitate it. The following are some of the most common things that should be stored:
Food
The most common type of item that requires temperature-controlled storage is food. For obvious reasons, many foods are perishable and will quickly spoil if they are not stored at the proper temperature. Even packaged foods that may not immediately spoil are better off kept refrigerated or frozen. This helps to maintain their quality for longer periods.
Candles
Candles and other products made of wax or wax-like substances require cold storage. You must prevent them from melting and being destroyed, especially when the weather gets warm.
Film and Artworks
Film is another temperature-sensitive item. It can easily be destroyed if stored in temperatures that are too high or too low. The same goes for older paintings, as the paint may start to peel at certain temperatures.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics, including lipsticks, mascaras, and nail polishes, can be ruined by higher temperatures. Therefore, when they are stored for longer periods, they should be kept in a temperature-controlled space.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals, such as syrups, pills, and injectables, must be stored at specific temperatures to protect them from breaking down. Such storage also helps protect them from contamination.
Textiles
Organic textiles, like fur, skin, or wool, can rot when stored in high temperatures, making them unfit for use. Thus, these kinds of materials all require steady cold storage.
What are the different types of cold storage units?
A wide variety of cold storage units can be rented and used. These units range in terms of their size, use, and temperature. The following are some of the most common types:
Refrigerated Containers
The most common and basic type of cold storage is a refrigerated container. This type of storage is optimal for smaller quantities of temperature-sensitive items. In many cases, refrigerated containers can be mobile, giving them the added advantage of extreme flexibility.
Blast Freezers and Chillers
Blast freezers and chillers work perfectly if you need to quickly cool and store food. They can rapidly reduce the temperature of cooked or fresh food items. This helps lock in the nutrition and taste of these items for quality maintenance.
Cold Rooms
Cold rooms can function in the same way as refrigerated containers or blast freezers and chillers. However, they are larger and non-mobile. Thus, they can be used to store items in cool temperatures or freeze them. They are also ideal for situations when larger quantities of items need storage.
Pharmaceutical-Grade Cold Storage
Biopharmaceuticals, blood, and certain vaccines all require cold storage. And the standards to which this storage must adhere are typically very strict. Because of this, pharmaceutical-grade storage units are equipped with extra features to ensure that these needs are met.
What are the benefits of a cold storage unit?
Several benefits come with using cold storage units to store your temperature-sensitive items. Depending on location and what season it is, the temperature could fluctuate significantly, even within one day or week.
Environmental changes, as well as rain or humidity, negatively impact your items. Storing your products where the temperature can be adjusted means you will not have to worry about these changes.
Therefore, the main benefit of cold storage is that you can minimize waste by preventing items from spoiling.
Cold storage units are generally customizable. You can arrange a room to store your items that meets the specific dimensions, shape, and coldness you require. Such units also function as great backup storage in the event of a power outage. Just move items in fridges or coolers into this storage unit to keep them from spoiling.
Why Wills Transfer Ltd. is a Reliable Cold Storage Unit Provider
If you have temperature-sensitive items that you need to store, Wills Transfer Limited has cold storage units in Ontario that will meet all your needs. Our refrigerated storage units use state-of-the-art automation technology to maintain temperatures below 40°F (4°C). We use a highly specialized thermodynamic tracking system to ensure that the temperature in these units never wavers. This ensures the quality and integrity of your products will never be compromised.
In addition, we bring over 75 years of warehousing experience to the table. This is why we can provide the best warehousing and storage services around. Our professional team is incredibly knowledgeable in storage techniques. We work closely with you to ensure we can provide the exact storage solutions you are looking for.
For more information about our cold storage units or to learn more about our other commercial warehousing services, call Wills Transfer Limited at 613-704-7549 or contact us here
If you want to learn more about food safety, check out the Canada Safe Food Storage Guide, here.
