Summer puts heat on everything in a restaurant: the kitchen, the refrigeration and the ice machine. It also changes what guests order, with more cold drinks, frozen desserts and patio service. Planning a few weeks before the first heat wave keeps equipment running and helps you sell what customers want.
Get Refrigeration Ready
Refrigeration works harder when the kitchen is hot. Before summer, clean every condenser coil, check door gaskets, and confirm each unit holds 41F or below with a separate thermometer. Make sure units have the clearance listed in the manual so they can reject heat. If a unit struggled last summer, have a technician look at it now, not in July.
Plan for More Ice
Ice machines produce less ice when air and water temperatures rise, right when you need more. Look at your busiest summer days last year and estimate the ice you used. If your machine barely kept up, consider a larger unit or a second machine for the bar. The Coldline ICE400T-HA 22″ 400 lb modular half cube ice machine is a modular option for higher volume. Descale and sanitize the machine and replace the water filter before the season starts.
Add Cold Drink Sales
- Cold drinks carry good margins. Several types of equipment can support a summer drink menu:
- Frozen drinks and slushies from a granita machine like the Coldline GRANITA-2N double 2 bowl pourover granita.
- Iced tea, lemonade and agua fresca from a bowl dispenser like the Coldline CBD-3 triple 3 gallon bowl beverage dispenser.
- Grab-and-go bottles from a glass door merchandiser such as the Coldline G2-B 49″ two glass door merchandiser refrigerator.
Frozen Desserts
Ice cream, frozen novelties and popsicles sell well in summer. A dipping cabinet or display freezer puts them in front of guests. Browse ice cream display freezers for options. Extra frozen inventory may also need a chest freezer in the back, such as the Coldline CF44 44″ chest freezer – 10.0 cu ft.
Lighten the Menu
Summer menus often shift toward salads, cold appetizers, grilled items and seafood. That can move work from ovens to cold prep and the charbroiler. If your salad station was sized for winter, a larger prep table or a refrigerated salad bar may help. Grilled items put more load on the charbroiler, so check burners and radiants before the season.
Keep the Kitchen Cooler
A cooler kitchen helps both staff and equipment. Turn off burners and equipment that are not in use. Make sure hood filters are clean so the exhaust works properly. Consider turning down idle equipment between rushes. Keep water available for staff and schedule breaks during the hottest service periods.
Patio Service
If you add outdoor seating, plan how food and drinks reach the patio without crossing busy paths. A server station with ice, glassware and condiments near the patio door reduces trips. Check with your local officials on any permits required for outdoor seating.
Hold Food Safely
Buffets, catering and outdoor events are more common in summer. Cold food must stay at 41F or below, and hot food at 135F or above. Use refrigerated salad bars or ice-filled wells for cold items and check temperatures frequently.
Next Steps
Schedule coil cleaning and ice machine service now, then pick the one or two summer drink items you want to push. Browse commercial ice machines and merchandisers. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Coldline ICE400T-HA 22″ 400 lb. Modular Half Cube Ice Machine (model ICE400T-HA)
- Brand: Coldline
- Dimension: 22 in. L x 24 in. D x 23 in. H
- Condenser Type: Air Cooled
- Production Capacity: 400 lb. / 24hr
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline GRANITA-2N Double 2 Bowl Pourover Granita Slush (model GRANITA-2N)
- Brand: Coldline
- Machine – 6 Gallon Capacity
- Adjustable Slush Mode
- Flavor Consistency Guaranteed
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline CBD-3 Triple 3 Gallon Bowl Beverage Dispenser (model CBD-3)
- Brand: Coldline
- Stirring System Included
- Reliable Performance Design
- Easy-to-Maintain Components
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline G2-B 49″ Two Glass Door Merchandiser Refrigerator with LED Lighting, Black (model G2-B)
- Brand: Coldline
- Dual Swing Glass Doors: Features two self-closing, double-pane, anti-fogging thermal glass doors to limit energy loss.
- Intense LED Lighting: Two vertical, high-output interior LED lights with an independent toggle switch.
- Precision Digital Controls: High-accuracy digital controller with external LED display for simple monitoring.
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Coldline CF44 44″ Commercial Chest Freezer – 10.0 Cu. Ft. (model CF44)
- Brand: Coldline
- Heavy Duty Hinges
- Interior Storage Basket
- High Efficiency Refrigeration
- Warranty: 5-Year Compressor / 1-Year Parts & Labor
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.