At Acme, we work closely with restaurants of all sizes, and one thing is always clear: proper cold storage plays a big role in keeping kitchens safe, efficient, and compliant. A fridge running a couple of degrees too warm can quickly lead to spoilt ingredients and food safety risks. That’s why we focus on helping businesses keep cold storage under control—so food stays fresher for longer, and operations run more smoothly.

Why Proper Cold Storage Matters

Bacteria multiply rapidly when food isn’t kept cold enough – in fact, UK law requires chilled food to be stored at 8°C or below for safety. Proper refrigeration is a critical control point in any HACCP plan and essential for preventing food poisoning. Good cold storage also means less spoilage and waste. Many restaurants throw out 4–10% of the food they buy due to it going off, so keeping ingredients at the right temperature saves money by extending their life. Plus, showing that you’re in control of your storage temperatures (with regular checks and logs) keeps you compliant with food safety regulations and gives inspectors confidence in your kitchen.

Safe Temperature Ranges for Different Foods

Different foods have different ideal storage temperatures. Here are some quick guidelines for key food categories in your kitchen:

• Fresh Produce: Keep most fruits and vegetables around 2–4°C in the fridge to slow spoilage and keep them fresh.
• Meat, Poultry & Seafood: Store raw meats and seafood as cold as possible without freezing – about 1–4°C is ideal​ . Fish is often stored on ice to stay close to 0°C.​
• Dairy: Milk, cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy products should stay around 2–5°C​. This prevents quick spoilage and inhibits bacteria (like listeria). Store dairy in sealed containers and away from strong-smelling foods, since dairy can absorb odours​.
• Frozen Goods: Keep freezers at –18°C or below​ to ensure foods remain safely frozen. At these temperatures, bacteria are dormant. Make sure frozen items stay solid; if anything is softening, your freezer may not be cold enough. Also avoid overloading freezers so air can circulate and maintain an even temperature.

Day-to-Day Cold Storage Tips

Even the best fridge won’t help if it’s not used properly. Here are some practical tips to keep your cold storage working effectively every day:

• Monitor Temperatures Regularly: Check the temperature of your fridges and freezers at least once a day. Use a thermometer and keep a simple log – this helps you spot any problems early​. If you notice a chiller reading above 5°C, take action immediately (adjust settings or call for service)​.
• Cool Food Quickly: Don’t leave perishable food out at room temperature for long. When deliveries arrive, get chilled and frozen items into storage right away. Likewise, after cooking, cool foods as fast as possible. Use a blast chiller if you have one, or split hot food into smaller portions so it cools faster. The goal is to get hot dishes down below 8°C within 1–2 hours​. Never put a large hot pan straight into the fridge​ – it’ll warm up everything else.
• Organise and Don’t Overload: Overpacking your fridge or freezer can block air circulation and create warm spots. Likewise, if staff can’t find items quickly, they may leave the door open too long, letting cold air escape. Keep storage organised and leave a bit of space for airflow. Train your team to retrieve items efficiently and shut doors promptly.
• Store Raw and Cooked Foods Separately: Keep raw meat, poultry, and fish on the bottom shelf of the fridge, below any ready-to-eat items​. That way, raw juices can’t drip onto anything else. If possible, use separate containers or sections for raw vs. cooked foods.
• Clean and Maintain Regularly: Clean up any spills in your fridges immediately to prevent mould and bacteria. Schedule regular deep cleans to keep units sanitary. Make sure door seals are intact so cold air stays in. A well-maintained fridge runs efficiently and is less likely to fail on you.

Cold Storage Solutions to Support Food Safety

The right equipment makes it easier to keep food at safe temperatures. Acme provides several cold storage solutions tailored for restaurants:

• Walk-In Chillers: Essentially giant fridges that you can walk into. These allow you to store a large volume of perishable goods in one temperature-controlled space. Acme’s walk-in chillers keep everything evenly cooled (usually in the 2–5°C range) with advanced controls​.
• Freezer Rooms: These are walk-in freezers for bulk frozen storage, kept around –18°C. Acme’s freezer rooms provide lots of space to store frozen meats, prepped dishes, and other ingredients long-term. They feature thick insulation and robust cooling to maintain steady subzero temperatures even with frequent access. A spacious freezer room lets you buy in bulk and freeze extras without running out of space.
• Blast Chillers: A blast chiller rapidly cools down hot food to safe refrigerated temperatures. Acme’s blast chillers can take foods from cooking temperature to below 5°C within about 90 minutes​. This is perfect for safely chilling soups, stews, sauces or any cooked dish you want to store for later. Rapid chilling meets food safety guidelines and preserves food quality better than leaving food to cool slowly.
• Temperature Monitoring Systems: These systems continuously track the temperature inside your fridges and freezers. Acme’s monitoring solutions will alert you if a unit goes out of the safe range, so you can respond quickly. They also log temperature data automatically​, which makes HACCP record-keeping easier. Think of a monitoring system as a guardian for your cold storage – it ensures you’re immediately aware of any issues, even after hours.

Cold storage might be out of sight for most diners, but it’s front and centre for food safety. Whether you’re a small café or a multi-site operation, having the right equipment and practices in place makes a big difference.

At Acme, we take pride in helping restaurants, cafes, bars and more stay confident about their storage—from first fit-out to ongoing support. If you’re reviewing your setup or thinking about future upgrades, we’re always happy to help find the right solution for your kitchen, stock, and schedule.

To learn more about how our cold storage systems could work in your kitchen, feel free to get in touch or browse the options on our website.