Refrigerated Containers, sometimes known as reefer containers, are shipping containers designed to hold goods in a temperature controlled environment. This can be set anywhere between -20C to +20C. As such a refrigerated container is suitable for a variety of goods ranging from fresh produce (chill controlled), ice cream (hard frozen) to explosives and chemicals (temperature controlled). All controllers on refrigerated containers have a display that will show the set point and running temperature.
It is important to site a refrigerated container on level hard standing. The weight of the container’s insulated doors mean that unless the unit is sited correctly the doors are likely to be hard to open and may even get a build up of ice behind the door seals, effectively freezing them shut.
A refrigerated shipping container is designed to maintain the temperature of the goods placed inside rather than to blast freeze them. For maximum efficiency the products should be stacked a foot away from the front panel (which is the end opposite the doors!) and be a foot below the ceiling for maximum efficiency. This allows the airflow to pass under the product (through the t-bar flooring) and up by the doors, before passing over the top and back down again. Refrigerated containers are designed to maintain the temperature of the goods placed inside rather than to blast freeze them.
Most reefer containers normally have a Partlow to record the temperature that the unit is running at. Some controllers even have the facility to download information via a laptop equipped with the appropriate software programme. It is also possible to attach a system which, should the unit drop below the set temperature, a call is generated to a phone (mobile or land line) by way of warning so an engineer can be called out promptly to fix the problem.
In order to keep the reefer container running efficiently it is a good idea to defrost (remembering that this defrosts the machinery and not the product stored inside) once or twice a day. A service is recommended every 6 months but this does depend on where the unit is sited as dirt/dust will affect the operation of the unit if not cleaned out regularly. For example, if you are putting the refrigerated container in a dusty environment you may need to service your container more regularly in order to stop it from becoming clogged. The servicing interval can also be dependent on the temperature the unit is running at – chill is less work for the machine than freezing for example.
Refrigerated Containers can be adapted in a variety of ways. Lights, internal alarms, emergency stop buttons, butchers or caterers doors are all commonly installed conversions. Solid checker plate flooring is also popular – particularly when the products are going to be store at temperatures above +0C.
