One of the most important qualities of an ice cream display case is that it cools effectively and stays cold. This is achieved with a cooling unit, also known as a condensing unit, which can cool in two different ways: with air or with water. But which one is suitable for your business? Both methods have their pros and cons. To give you more insight, we at Gelato World have outlined the operation and qualities in this article.
How it actually works
To cool and keep the ice cream display case cold, a whole process takes place. The cooling in a condensing unit operates on a refrigeration cycle that removes heat from the display case to keep the temperature inside at the desired level. Without getting too technical, we briefly summarize the steps below:
The compressor compresses a refrigerant, increasing its temperature and pressure.
The compressed and heated refrigerant is led to the condenser. Here, the hot, compressed vapor of the refrigerant comes into contact with cooling fins or tubes. Heat can be dissipated from the refrigerant by means of air or water.
From the condenser, the refrigerant passes through an expansion valve, where its pressure and temperature are significantly reduced, allowing it to evaporate and absorb heat.
In the evaporation section, the evaporating refrigerant flows through an evaporator in the display case, absorbing heat from the products inside and lowering the temperature. Finally, the refrigerant is returned to the compressor to be compressed again, and the process repeats.
This process of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation ensures efficient removal of heat from the display case, with the heat being expelled outside the unit via the condenser.
Water-cooled or air-cooled
How does water cooling work?
As the name suggests, a water-cooled display case uses water as a coolant. The main purpose of water cooling in an ice cream display case is to remove heat to keep the temperature at the desired level. By pumping water from the pipes through the system, the condensing unit is cooled. The water passing through the pipes becomes warmer as it absorbs heat from the condensing unit. By dissipating the heat, the products in the display case remain at the right temperature.
The water used as a coolant comes directly from the tap, which has several advantages. First, tap water temperature does not vary much throughout the seasons. External factors have little influence, meaning it varies between 4 and 5 degrees Celsius from summer to winter. Due to the lack of large fluctuations, the system temperature remains more stable. This means the cooling unit needs to run less frequently, producing less noise, operating more efficiently, and potentially being more cost-effective.
How does air cooling work?
In this type of condensing unit, air is used as a coolant to remove heat from the display case and maintain the desired temperature. Using fans, cold air is blown through the condensing unit. The cold air from the fans blows away the warm air, cooling the air inside the display case and keeping the products at the right temperature. Since air from outside is drawn in, air-cooled condensing units are more susceptible to temperature differences. Therefore, a cooling unit must work harder in the summer to compensate for the difference and blow cold air into the display case.
Options at Gelato World
Every catering establishment has its specific needs and requirements. Therefore, without further information, it is difficult to determine whether water-cooled or air-cooled condensation is the right choice for your business. During an initial consultation, we at Gelato World can provide further advice on this.
All our ice cream display cases come standard with air cooling, but this does not mean it is the only option. At Gelato World, we offer customization, meaning the type of condensation can be fully adapted to your business needs. All our models can be converted to water cooling instead of air. If there are significant temperature differences around the display case, it is also possible to install a cooling unit that uses both water and air. This means that when the air becomes too warm, the system automatically switches to water.
More than just cooling units at Gelato World
By offering these options and our service, we have been helping catering entrepreneurs with various establishments for decades. From ice cream parlors to coffee corners, everyone can come to us for advice and the right display case. With our expertise and customized solutions, we are the number one supplier in the European market. During an initial consultation, we are happy to share our knowledge and offer custom advice. Are you curious whether water cooling or a mix of both is the best condensation method for you? Or do you want to know what else we can do with our customization? Feel free to contact us via the contact form or WhatsApp.
