Fish Keeps & Fridges

Let’s face it, fresh fish is expensive to buy and can be one of the quickest foods to spoil if not stored in optimum conditions.

Fish Fridges (or Keeps) operate with a static (conducted) cooling system, there are no fans to circulate air resulting in improved moisture levels and a reduced risk of drying out fish. Chilling to a lower temperature range than standard refrigeration, fish refrigeration will preserve your stock in optimum conditions.

It is recommended that all fresh fish be housed on a bed of crushed or flaked ice (see Caterquip’s Ice Flaker machines here), therefore designs feature a system that allows thawed ice to drain from the unit with minimal manual input and no mess.

A Williams Fish Fridge complete with plastic Fish Bins.

What are the storage requirements for fish?

When storing fresh fish, the two major requirements to keep fish safe and fresh are proper storage temperature and maximum storage time. These two requirements can determine the stability of fish and its suitability for use in different dishes.

In addition to these requirements, you must also consider the proper placement of fish products in original packaging. This is to prevent cross-contamination of the products stored together with the fish.

The minimum storage temperature for keeping fish safe and fresh is at least 40°F (4°C) or lower. Under this temperature, the fish can be enjoyed at maximum eating quality within two days of purchase from the fish market and after storage. Food workers must consistently monitor the storage temperature, which is a critical factor for food safety.

In a freezer with a temperature of 0°F (-18°C), the fish can be stored within 3 months, provided it is stored correctly in a clean container with no additional water. Frozen fish, or even frozen seafood, is more stable than refrigerated ones in airtight containers. Remember that the maximum storage time will be dependent on the consistency of storage temperature and the suitability of the container where the raw ingredients are stored.

Nearly all Fish Fridges utilise plastic storage containers with perforated bases rather than stainless shelves or grids. This is to remove the risk of corrosion to surfaces and allow defrosted liquids to drain adequately. This is a key factor to maintaining the condition of your fish.

Whilst fish fridges don’t enter the second-hand marketplace very often, it’s worth bearing in mind that commercial fish fridges are very expensive to purchase compared to standard fridges. So its worth keeping an eye on the reconditioned and second hand marketplace to reduce your capital spend.

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