Choosing Between Self-Contained and Remote Refrigerators

People eat with their eyes — you can entice customers’ appetites with a mouthwatering display of beautiful sushi. A display case places your delicate nigiri, maki and California rolls front and center —  ready for customers to buy.

Sushi arrangement is an art form. Color, spacing and texture are essential regardless of what art you practice. A sushi display case will keep your sushi pieces wonderfully crisp and fresh so customers can enjoy the vibrant colors of your art.

Before buying a display case, ensure you get one most suited for your restaurant. You need to evaluate many factors before you buy a refrigerator, like the layout of your restaurant, whether customers will serve themselves and whether a self-contained refrigeration unit or a remote refrigerator would work best. To help you make the best decision, you’d want to understand how self-contained and remote refrigerators work and how each type can benefit you. Armed with quality information, you can get the best value for your investment.

Understanding the Key Differences: Self-Contained vs. Remote Refrigeration Systems

Self-contained sushi display cases house all their components, like the evaporator and condenser inside the display case. Self-contained refrigerators are very popular in commercial kitchens. Businesses leasing their space usually opt for self-contained units as they are easy to move.

Remote display cases are specifically designed for cold storage spaces equipped with an evaporator system inside, but technicians install the compressor and condenser units in separate locations. You’ll usually find these units on a restaurant’s rooftop or in a cool basement. If your display case needs a bigger condensing unit or has more than one condensing unit, opting for remote refrigeration might be best. Restaurant owners also choose remote refrigerators when their establishments have low ceilings or poor ventilation, as compressors and condensers emit lots of heat. Installing these units in a separate location helps with temperature regulation.

The Pros and Cons of Self-Contained and Remote Refrigeration

Each type of refrigerator unit has advantages and drawbacks. By studying the pros and cons of self-contained and remote refrigeration, you can choose a display case that best suits your business goals.

Pros of Self-Contained Sushi Display Cases

• Setting up a self-contained unit is straightforward — you just need to plug it in.
• A technician can service your unit with ease.
• Moving these units to another location is effortless.
• The initial costs are lower because self-contained units do not require professional installation.

Cons of Self-Contained Sushi Display Cases

• The compressor and condenser inside the unit can raise the temperature in your establishment.
• Because self-contained units emit heat, your air-conditioner needs to work harder, which can increase your utility bills.
• The compact compressor can be noisy.
• Your display space is limited due to the condensing unit placed on the side of the case.

Pros of Remote Sushi Display Cases

• You’ll have more display space as the condensing unit operates remotely.
• Remote display cases eliminate any noise issues.
• You can reduce your utility bills as your display case won’t impact your restaurant’s temperature.
• With a fixed condensing unit installed, it is easier to scale your business and add more display cases.

Cons of Remote Sushi Display Cases

• A qualified technician needs to install your condensing unit.
• Servicing and maintaining a remote unit is more complex.
• It’s challenging to relocate your display case as the condensing unit is fixed.
• The initial cost is higher as remote refrigeration requires expert installation.

Customize Your Display Case

For the best results, opt for a custom-made display case. Manufacturers will consider your cooling needs, your restaurant’s aesthetics and your sushi chef’s workflow when architecting a case for you. YOSHIMASA USA offers stainless steel self-contained display cases and remote display cases in different styles and designs. Our professional sushi chefs manufacture standard wide flat top cases and stunning double-decker, diamond-shaped and L-shaped cases to enhance your restaurant’s aesthetic. You can also choose a color that aligns with your branding.

YOSHIMASA USA’s cases conform to the UL 471 safety and the ANS/NSF 7 sanitation requirements and have exceptional warranties. We offer a one-year parts and labor warranty and a four-year warranty on condenser parts, fan motors and compressors for self-contained units. Reach out to us online for more information about our products or manufacturing procedures or to request a quote for a customized display case