In the foodservice business, hot holding equipment gets a lot of much-deserved attention. But what about cold holding? Don’t these solutions deserve some airtime too? From cold wells to refrigerated display cabinets, deli cases, coolers, and more — there’s no shortage of “cool” equipment types to discuss. Today we’ll zero in on two popular options that are closely related but often mistaken for one another: cold shelves and frost tops.
Why are cold shelves and frost tops so closely related?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, cold shelves and frost tops are not (we repeat: not) identical equipment types. We’ll get into what makes them unique, but first let’s talk about what makes them oh-so similar.
Short-term holding for pre-chilled menu items
In many ways, cold shelves and frost tops deserve to be lumped together. They are both designed for short-term holding of pre-chilled foods and beverages. Unlike a refrigerator, they are not designed to cool products to a certain temperature. Rather, they slow the warming process, so operators can keep products chilled for longer. This makes them ideal for holding non-potentially hazardous products (aka: items that can safely sit at room temperature). With that said, there’s no rule saying that operators can’t use cold shelves and frost tops to hold perishables like meat, fish, and dairy products. Operators just have to monitor product and container temps more often (every 10-20 minutes is ideal) and pre-chill both the products and their containers well below the danger zone before popping them onto the cold shelf or frost top.
Merchandising and accessibility
Cold shelves and frost tops are also perfect for operations that want to put their menu items on display and ensure that operators or customers can easily access them. This makes both product types a favorite for buffets, breakfast bars, grab-n-go stations, salad bars, sushi counters, beverage displays, and really any application where merchandising and access are important. Just keep in mind that with either option, products must be contained — whether in a package for grab-n-go or a serving container. Also, smaller and shallower vessels are best, as they keep products colder for longer since more surface area is in direct contact with the cold source.
What makes cold shelves and frost tops different?
If short-term holding, merchandising and accessibility are important to you, both cold shelves and frost tops are excellent choices. With that said, what often pushes a buyer in one direction over another isn’t what makes these two equipment types similar — it’s the very things that make them different.
The frost factor
Both cold shelves (specifically metal cold shelves) and frost tops can get frosty. However, frost tops are specifically designed to frost more easily. Frost tops contain more tightly wound refrigerant lines below their surface than used in cold shelves. Under the right ambient conditions, the tightly wound lines make the metal surface of the unit (which is already a strong thermal conductor) colder than the air around it. When a surface is colder than the air that comes in contact with it, moisture forms in the air and frost forms on the unit’s surface. This gives frost tops the advantage when it comes to achieving that frosty, refreshing look that helps operators really showcase their tasty food and drinks.
Aesthetic and customization
Where frost tops bring the frost, cold shelves bring the options. Both cold shelves and frost tops are available in stainless steel, but cold shelves also come in a variety of simulated stone colors (or even as an undermount unit that’s hidden below the existing countertop). Stainless steel is always an attractive option for either holding solution. However, if you’re after a more “elevated” look, cold shelves with a simulated stone top or undermount might just be the way to go.
Flat versus recessed top
At Hatco, our cold shelves have flat tops and our frost tops are recessed. Both options accommodate the same menu items. However, if you’re looking to hold beverages, the recessed design of our frost tops are a huge draw. Since the top is recessed, any pesky spills are contained. Many frost tops from other manufacturers are actually raised, which means that spills are a much bigger deal and will quickly make their way across the entire counter (and onto that hungry customer’s new shoes).
Ready to check out your options?
Whether you’re interested in a cold shelf or a frost top, we’ve got you covered. Choose from a variety of options that’ll provide you with a reliable and effective solution to all your “cool” short-term holding needs. Ready to poke around? Check out what Hatco has to offer!
