Cold plate

Types of Cold Plates

A cold plate creates a consistently cold surface. They make it possible to keep items at cool or refrigerated temperatures without electricity, resists heat, and transfers cold rapidly. Cold plates are integral parts of functions, venues, restaurants, and other places in the food service industry. Technically, cold plates work through the science of thermodynamics and heat transfer. When they are filled with ice or ice water, they will begin to chill the entire plate and anything that is in direct contact with it.

Burgers, Hot Dog Cold Food Storage Plates, Cold Plates for Buffet, Customized LOGO Stainless Steel Catering Cold Plates, Cold Food Storage Plates, Round Ice Cream Cold Plates, Stainless Steel Cold Food Bins with Lids, Ice Cold Plates, and Refrigerated Bakery Cold Plates are typical cold plates used in food service.

• Cold Food Storage Plates:

  Buffet cold plates are generally preferred to be made from stainless steel. They are durable and can withstand regular use without getting any damages. One of the main functions of cold food storage plates is to keep food products like salads, fruits, and sandwiches cold and fresh.

• Cold Food Storage Bins:

  Cold food storage bins are types of cold plates that can be used to store cold food items for an extended period. They are usually made of stainless steel to provide strength and durability. This cold plate is appropriate for holding items that need to be refrigerated, such as dairy products, meat, and some vegetables.

• Cold Food Buffet Plates:

  Cold buffet plates are common items in hotels and restaurants. They are ideal for when items need to be displayed attractively to customers without compromising quality. Cold buffet plates help ensure that desserts, salads, sushi, and other items remain at the appropriate temperature during service.

• Cold Food Wells:

  Cold food wells are usually integrated into serving lines and are designed with built-in mechanisms to maintain the temperature of food items. They often have clear lids, which facilitate customers' interactions, and cold food wells are used more in cafeterias, canteens, and food halls than in hotels or restaurants.

• Round Ice Cream Cold Plates:

  Around ice cream cold plates are specifically designed to keep ice cream and other desserts cold. They are typically made of stainless steel and have a thin layer of cold that freezes the surface area.

Specifications and maintenance of cold plates

Specifications of cold plates are given in the table below.

• The material of the cold plate is usually either aluminum or stainless steel, which make a sturdy and dependable tool for keeping food cold.
• The size of the cold plate determines how much food it can keep cold and how big its serving area is. The common sizes include 20 x 12.5 , 24 x 14 , 28 x 16 ,27 x 16 ,28 x 19 ,36 x 24 and so on.
• The thickness of cold plates affects their cooling performance. Thicker plates store more cold energy but may take longer to freeze.
• Cold plates often feature up to four depressions designed to accommodate food containers, beakers, and flasks. Other configurations might include fewer or larger depressions, such as those needed for Petri dishes.
• Cold plates include a variety of connector types, including as threaded ports, quick-disconnect couplings, and slip fittings, to accommodate diverse fluid delivery systems.
• Cold plates are designed to function within specified temperature ranges, such as -20°C to 0°C or 0°C to 100°C, depending on their intended applications and refrigerants.
• Cold plates may have single or multiple zones, with multi-zone plates allowing simultaneous cooling of multiple samples at different temperatures.
• Cold plates are engineered to cool samples at specified rates, such as 5°C/min or 10°C/min, indicating the speed at which the temperature decreases.
• Some cold plates come with digital temperature controllers that allow users to set and monitor the temperature of the cold plate precisely.

Users can perform routine cleanings of their cold plates, including sanitizing and disinfecting the whole surface area of the plates, as a way of maintaining them. When cleaning the cold plate, users should always remember to disconnect it from the power source. Use a mild detergent and warm water to clean the entire surface area of the cold plate and a soft sponge to scrub any stubborn spots gently.

Users can also use a sanitized solution to sanitize the cold plate. To do this, prepare a sanitized solution and spray it evenly on the cold plate's surface. Wipe it down with a clean cloth. If the cold plate has any removable parts, it is advisable to clean those removable parts separately. But before doing so, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions first.

Users with water-cooled cold plates should ensure the water flow is uninterrupted all the time. That is, users should keep the water circulation running on the cold plate. Also, during the summer times or any other periods of high ambient temperatures, users are advised to monitor the performance of the cold plate to ensure it is working optimally.

Scenarios

Cold plates have huge applications in food service businesses and other industries. Here are some common usage scenarios where they are applied:

• Outdoor Events and Catering

  Cold plates are typically used by caterers during outdoor events, weddings, picnics, and festivals. Such organizers often use cold plates to keep salads, meats, desserts, and other perishables fresh and safe to eat.

• Food Trucks and Street Vendors

  Food trucks and street vendors use cold plates to preserve ingredients, toppings, and beverages at the required temperature.

• Buffet and Self-Service Restaurants

  Buffet restaurants can make use of cold plates to ensure that dishes like seafood, salads, and cold cuts are kept at appropriate temperatures for dining customers.

• Grocery and Convenience Stores

  Frozen cold plates are useful in the display of perishable items. Grocery and convenience stores often utilize them in their refrigerators and drink showcases to maintain the freshness of items like dairy products, deli meats, and beverages.

• Industrial Refrigeration

  Cold plates are also applicable in Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems. Many industrial facilities make use of such systems to decrease peak energy consumption during specific periods by discharging stored cooling power.

How to choose cold plates

When selecting the appropriate cold plates for one's needs, people should consider several factors.

• Intended use

  Before purchasing a cold plate, it is advisable to know how one's intending to use it. Different uses require different types of cold plates. For example, if someone needs to cool food items in a commercial setting like a restaurant, a CP-HR cold plate fridge would be suitable. Conversely, if someone requires a cold plate for outdoor events to keep food and beverages cool, a portable cold plate fridge or one with a battery would be ideal.

• Size and capacity

  One should determine the size and capacity of the cold plate they need based on their space limitations and requirements. Measuring the available space is essential to ensure a proper fit. However, it's important to prioritize essential dimensions that will impact functionality, such as length and depth, over total capacity, as this can vary depending on the format and refrigeration method of the cold plate.

• Budget

  One's budget when purchasing a cold plate will significantly impact the choice of refrigerant. While considering the initial cost of purchasing the cold plate is crucial, it's equally important to contemplate the long-term expenses associated with the choice of refrigerant. Maintaining operating costs, such as energy consumption during the cold plate's lifetime, is essential to avoid incurring unexpected expenses in the future.

Cold plate FAQ

Q1: How durable are cold plates?

A1: Cold plates are made of different durable materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum, and others. When well-made, they can withstand various mechanical and thermal stresses without breaking, chipping, or cracking.

Q2: Are cold plates compatible with any kind of beverage?

A2: Yes. Cold plates can be used to cool different types of beverages, such as carbonated drinks, water, beer, and others. However, some specific cold plates may be designed to work with particular beverages.

Q3: Can cold plates be used outdoors?

A3: Yes. Many cold plates can be used outdoors. However, frequent outdoor use may require more maintenance and faster replacement because exposure to harsh environmental elements can affect the cold plate's performance and durability.

Q4: Can a cold plate be repaired if it gets damaged?

A4: Small cracks or leaks in the cold plate can be repaired. This is done by using an epoxy compound. However, it's always best to consult an expert to see if the cold plate can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.